The challenge: to create a story or poem in 4 hours, inspired by a previously unknown line, working in full view of curious passers-by in a Frome town centre shops or café. Fourteen writers stepped up to the challenge, and local shops were delighted to host them on the first Saturday of the festival, The must-include line was “I wondered if the magic was still there”, and the answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’  when results were revealed on Tuesday 20th July at the prize-giving ceremony at the Garden Café.
Most of the entrants attended, along with an appreciative audience, to hear all the entries read aloud and watch the prizes awarded.
Selecting winners, said judge Tracy Wall, was both a privilege and a problem, as with so many enjoyable entries it was almost impossible to pick just four.  Her final selection was based on enjoyment for different reasons:
Highly commended: Joan Saunders’ short radio play featuring three chickens 3rd Annette Shwalbe’s beautiful and evocative story of the book worm, inspired by her place at Hunting Raven 2nd Val Hewitt’s villanelle based on her observations of Frome Wholefoods.
1st  Jackie Eliot, whose location of Marmalade Yarns inspired a gripping story showing knitting ‘in a new light.’
Congratulations to all for a great evening’s entertainment, and to Sue Watts for organising the contest and Mike Witt for taking over on the night.
A big thank you to all the writers who participated in this event and the shops, cafes and other venues that made it all possible! Pictured here: competitors who also shared their stories on prizegiving night, and Annette Schwalbe scribing outside Hunting Raven last Saturday.

Download a pdf version (opens in new window) of the winning story Wool Gathering by Jackie Elliot here. If you haven’t got a pdf reader you can get one from Adobe (click on the Adobe logo)

Full list of prize winners and their place of residence:

1st prize: “Wool Gathering” by Jackie Eliot, Marmalade Yarns

2nd prize: “Wholefood Summer” by Val Hewitt, Frome Wholefoods

3rd prize: “Once Again” by Annette Schwalbe, Hunting Raven Bookshop

Highly commended: “Short Radio Drama” by Joan Saunders, Flowers on the Hill