The Mirfield Show

Creative Writing Competition

This year’s creative writing competition is being held in the run up to Mirfield Agricultural Show, with prizes for the most interesting short-stories and poems.

Your story or poem can be as short as you wish. Please legibly write or type your story or poem on one side of as many sheets of paper as it takes. You will need to give your name, address and telephone number and, in the case of people under sixteen years of age, your age and your parent, guardian or other responsible adult’s name and signature – just to confirm that they agree to the terms of the competition. These details must be put on a separate piece of paper, securely attached to your story.

The closing date for this competition is 22nd July 2011 and winners will be announced on 14th August 2011. The main prizes for this competition have been donated by Charlottes Jersey Ice Cream Limited.

Anyone can enter, you do not have to live in Mirfield, and entry is absolutely free!

Creative Writing Prize Categories 2011

There are four categories for the Mirfield Show Creative Writing Competition 2011:

Writers up to ten years of age: Write a story of no more than 800 words, or a poem of no more than 16 lines, which has some connection with the countryside, gardens or the natural world.

Writers up to twelve years of age: A story of no more than 1000 words, or a poem of no more than 20 lines, on anything connected with sport, a hobby or an interest.

Writers up to fourteen years of age: A story of no more than 1500 words, or a poem of no more than 30 lines, on any subject or theme set in or around Mirfield

Open to all: A story of no more than 2000 words, or a poem of no more than 50 lines involving a journey that either begins or ends in Mirfield

The prize in each category is a voucher that entitles the winner to afternoon tea for four people at Charlotte’s Real Jersey Ice Cream Parlour, The Meadows, Whitley, Dewsbury WF12 0NQ.

Judge’s Special Commendations 2011

A story or poem will only be awarded one prize and each story or poem that does not win its category will automatically be considered for each of the following prizes. You may enter as many times as you wish. The prize for each of these special classes is a voucher that entitles the winner to four cornets of ice cream at Charlotte’s Real Jersey Ice Cream Parlour.

Best story or poem featuring neighbours

Best story or poem featuring Mirfield Show

Most atmospheric story or poem

Best school related story or poem

Special Bronte Prize 2011

This is an extra prize for a story or poem that the judge considers took special effort or that he particularly enjoyed and will not necessarily already have won a prize.  This prize is a family admission ticket to the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth and has been donated by the Bronte Society.

Creative Writing Competition Rules

The terms are simple:

1. You agree to share your story or poem by it being reproduced and displayed (space permitting) at this year’s Mirfield Show and also included in a limited edition booklet of winning tales and poems - and others that the judge particularly likes - to be available for give away at the show. (Only the writer’s name will be given on displays and in the booklet.)

2. Winners will be presented with their prizes at the Show – we may take pictures - don’t worry if you are on holiday – we’ll keep your prizes safe!

3. The stories and poems will be judged by local writer Bill Forde, and must be submitted by 22nd July 2011.

4. The judge’s decision will be final.

5. If there are fewer than six entries in any class, we reserve the right to amalgamate classes, and re-award the un-used main prize as four Judge’s Special Commendations.

6. Entries should be e-mailed to writers.mirfieldshow@ntlworld.com or posted to Mirfield Show Creative Writing Competition, 51 Springfield Park, Mirfield WF14 9PE.

7. We may include a selection of winning stories and poems on our website. If you do not wish your story or poem to appear on our website, we will respect your wishes if you let us know by 31 August 2011.

8. If classes are amalgamated, only one main prize will be awarded. The unused main prize will be re-awarded as four further Judge’s Special Commendations - for excellent stories or poems from any category. Each winner of these Special Commendations will receive a prize of a voucher that entitles them to four cornets of ice cream at Charlotte’s Real Jersey Ice Cream Parlour.

Creative Writing Competition Contact

For further details contact Sylvia at writers.mirfieldshow@ntlworld.com.

Creative Writing Attachments

For full details of the Mirfield Show Creative Writing Competition please download the attached PDF.

Creative Writing Winners

Creative Writers Winners 2011

Writers up to ten years of age; Story or poem featuring the countryside, gardens or the natural world – “Snowy Countryside” by Anna Pedersen

Writers up to twelve years of age; Story or poem featuring sport, a hobby or an interest – “Letter home from a WWII soldier” by Emma Temple

Writers up to fourteen years of age; Story or poem featuring Mirfield – “Broken” by Jasmine Wilkinson

Open to all: Story or poem featuring a journey that either begins or ends in Mirfield - “There'll always be an England” by Sally Hirst

Judges commendations:

Featuring Mirfield Show - “Mirfield Show” by Nathaniel Denham-Bosah

Most atmospheric – an untitled story by Eleanor Walls

School related - “Mirfield!” by Hannah Vinice and Charlotte Hellings

General commendation – an untitled poem by Faye Smith

Special Bronte prize - “Jack” by Lucy Sheard

Creative Writers Winners 2010

Best poem or short story - Long forgotten, Battered and Bruised by Lucy Cooper

Most atmospheric story or poem - The Magical Ballet Shoes by Sally Hirst

Best school related story or poem - Our Rugby Victory by Phoebe Welch

Best imagery - Eat it all! by Libby Clack

Best animal related story or poem - Animals by Connor Wilson

Creative Writers Winners 2009

There were three winners of the main prizes and each will receive afternoon tea for four at Charlottes Ice Cream Parlour;

Courtney Benson, who wrote the sporting story Zara′s Magical Adventure

Megan Williams, who wrote the ghost story Betrayal

Sarah Smith, who wrote Spring time on Mirfields′ Canal

Other ice cream prizes go to James Walker, Safaa Naeem, Hollie Douglas, Ellie Barnes, Adam Bruce, Megan Lara Henry, Rebecca Wilson and Rachel Hasson.