By Alison Phillips Audience and Content Editor, Wiltshire Weeklies
Nicholas Owen is one of the judges STARS from the stage, screen and the literary world have helped launch a new writing competition for elderly people aged 90 and more. As the nation endures another episode of isolation, many old people have reflected on unexpected events and have found themselves holding onto cherished moments. As a result, a new nationwide writing competition has been launched exclusively for people aged 90 and over. The Grow Old Disgracefully writing competition is now open to nonagenarians and centenarians, inviting them to write a 500-word maximum short story under the theme of childhood memories.
Virginia McKenna in Born Free, 1966, with Bill Travers WHAT was life like during the war? A charity is calling on the over-90s to take part in its nationwide writing competition with a cash prize up for grabs. Grow Old Disgracefully is inviting nonagenarians and centenarians to write a short story of fewer than 500 words on the theme of childhood memories. The winner will receive £200 and a tree of their choice to be planted near their home. Charity founder Jackie Flaherty explained: “As the nation endures another episode of isolation, many of us have reflected on unexpected events and have found ourselves holding-on to cherished moments. There must be some amazing tales out there. What was childhood like ? What was evacuation like? What did children do when allowed to leave the house from dawn to dusk? Did you go out to work? We would love to share your stories.”