THE RATIONALE

The Northumbrian Association exists to lobby for the return of The Lindisfarne Gospels to the North and also to promote knowledge and understanding of the traditions and culture of Northumbria which it does in a number of ways.

It seems especially significant to the Association that the young people of our region are helped to understand and appreciate their fine heritage and be proud of being Northumbrian – a pride which will support them as they take their place in the world and are faced with the unique and difficult choices of this century. We also acknowledge that there are many mature writers nursing a passion for the region and yearning to share it with others.

For these reasons, each Summer the Northumbrian Association conducts a competition inviting writers, young and old(er),  to research and write about something or someone, associated with the Northumbrian region, which or who attracts, intrigues or inspires them, and to do so in a way that will ignite the interest of others.

THE COMPETITION

The competition is for 3 categories of writer: up to 11 years, up to 18 years and adults. The winner in each category is invited to a prestigious Award Ceremony to be presented with their prizes. All winners receive certificates, framed copies and multi-media publication of their work.  Those in the upper categories also receive full membership of the Association and of the National Trust for a year and the younger winner(s), a substantial personal prize and/or the services of a writer-in-residence for their school.

The submission deadline is usually late July for judging in August, notification to winners in September and awards presented in October. Full, specific details for submission of competition entries are given in late Spring each year on the web-site and in regional newspapers.  

OUR SPONSOR

The Gillian Dickinson Trust sponsors this competition and the legacy of Miss Dickinson, a publisher of some note in the Tyne Valley, is specifically intended to encourage creativity in the young people of the North East. The competition and the prizes therefore are intended as an incentive to encourage youngsters to persist in developing their craft of creative writing.

Each year we are humbled by the inspirational writing lauding the qualities of our region which is submitted from all age groups. It is much too good to keep to ourselves so, with the permission of the writers, selected highly commended pieces, other than the winning entries, are to be published throughout the year in our newsletters and on our web-site for others to  enjoy.

Marion Bridgewood