Rhyme and Reason
The Rhyme & Reason Fundraising Group publishes an anthology of stories, poems and articles by new and established writers in aid of the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home every year. To date, the Group has raised well over £47,000 in aid of IRHH.
Copies of ‘TIME' now available
A new format for the annual anthology was introduced this year, with both a Poetry Competition and a new Prose Competition introduced to provide contributions for the publication, which takes the format of an A5 spiral bound desk diary.
Contributors were asked to consider ‘Time' as the basis for their entries and the Group was delighted with the breadth and depth of entries received. Celebrity support for the work of the Group was provided by Fay Weldon, who kindly judged the prose entries and Gerard Benson, who once again chose the winning poetry entries. Congratulations go to all winners and to those whose entries have been chosen to feature in ‘Time'.
Poetry Winners
Gerard commented ‘This has been a fascinating competition to judge. So many different takes on Time, from clocks and watches, through birthdays and life histories and more…and a high standard!'
- 1st ‘Reaper' by Catriona Nicholson
- 2nd ‘Time and the Sea' by Matt Phipps
- 3rd ‘Jumping the Gun' by Mike Greenhough
Junior winners
- 1st ‘Rosary Beads' by Jemima Childs
- 2nd ‘Nostrils of Nostalgia' by Ian Fillingham
- 3rd ‘Fast as Timing the Past' by Ronja Blight
- 4th ‘Time' by Bethan Rose Tunney
Prose Winners
Fay says ‘I am more than happy to support this competition, being thoroughly in tune with its ambitions. It both helps the Iain Rennie Hospice in its support for patients and families, about which one hears nothing but good, and encourages would-be writers to develop and hone their skills…some really good writing and a whole lot of empathy!'
- 1st ‘4:03' by Amanda Hatter
- 2nd ‘The Number Seven Bus' by Veronica Bright
- 3rd ‘A Modern Age' by Dani Phipps
Special thanks go to the editorial team, prize sponsors (Anne Reynolds, Jill Wallis and Edwin Kirker), competition judges (Gerard Benson and Fay Weldon) and to Austyn James Wealth Management for their continued sponsorship of Rhyme & Reason.
Copies of the diary are available to buy from the IRHH online shop, by clicking here
Details for the 2013 Competition will be available soon.
Committee Volunteers Required
The success of the Group continues to depend upon the hard work of a very dedicated and enthusiastic Committee. This established Group is looking to recruit additional volunteers to assist existing members in further developing ideas and plans for future fundraising activities.
If you have a general interest in creative writing, whether poetry or prose, and would like to find out more, the Group would love to hear from you. Of particular interest to the Group are people with experience in editing, sales and marketing or general Committee roles, although this is not essential. Group meetings are usually held in the Beaconsfield /Gerrards Cross area.
As well as producing the anthology, various fundraising events, with a social focus, are organised throughout the year. If you would like to be a part of this successful Group and help to make a difference for IRHH, please contact either Debbie Starrs, Rhyme & Reason Fundraising Group, at Debbiestarrs@aol.com or Joanne Hunt , Community Fundraising Manager, on jhunt@irhh.org or 01442 890222.
Fundraising Group Aims
To publish yearly a small book, the contents being a mixture of poems and short stories written by previous and new writers.
To strive to continually improve the quality of the book, both in content, appearance and style.
From time to time, to run competitions that invite entries from anyone - with the winners and best entries published in Rhyme & Reason, which in itself improves and varies the content of the book.
To sell as many books as possible, passing the revenue less costs, to the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.
For more information on the Rhyme & Reason group please contact Joanne Hunt on 01442 890222 or email jhunt@irhh.org
