The charity began holding an annual essay competition in the 1950s as it was thought it would be interesting to get older peoples’ reminiscences on record, since once that particular generation disappeared there would be no-one to ask “What was it like in your day?” The competition proved so popular that it is still in being today, with the added bonus of a poetry competition. Each year one copy of every entry is lodged with the Essex Record Office for the benefit of future generations.
RULES AND ARRANGEMENTS
1. Entrants should be over the age of 60 and either born or resident in Essex or be a member of a club affiliated to Age UK Essex.
Titles for both essays and poems are: Roots
The Letter
Celebrations
2. All entries must truly reflect the entrant’s own experiences. Essays should be restricted to 1,500 words and poetry to one side of A4 paper. Entries should not have been published elsewhere or submitted to Age UK Essex in previous competitions.
3. Entries should be accompanied by the entry form shown below, which is also downloadable from the Age UK website. Entries may be made by email in Word format and addressed to essaysandpoems@hotmail.com. Entries made by post should be accompanied by 3 stamped, self-addressed envelopes (one to acknowledge receipt of your entry, one to announce results and one to post details of the next competition) and should be sent to: Mrs Rita Hamlyn, 10, Green Close, Springfield, CM1 7SL.
Entries must arrive by 1st MARCH 2012
4. It is helpful if the entries can be typewritten but handwritten entries will of course still be welcome. All entries should be clearly marked with the category entered and your name and date of birth. If entering by post, please send TWO copies - one for the competition and one for the Essex Record Office. It would also be helpful if you could write on one side of the paper only. Please keep a copy of your work as we regret entries cannot be returned.
If you find writing difficult, you may dictate your prose or poetry to someone else. Please acknowledge this by asking the other person to confirm that they have taken down what you said as accurately as possible.
5. The first prize for each title will be £40 and there will be other cash prizes for the runners up. Certificates will be awarded for all entries deemed Highly Commended by the judges. There will also be an extra prize for the overall winner of the competition chosen from all the 1st prize winners.
6. Winning entries are published each year in booklet form. Please tell us if you would NOT like any publication or publicity.
7. The judges’ decision is final. All competitors will be informed of the results by the end of June.
The organisers hope you will enjoy writing your entries as much as they will enjoy reading them.
ENTRY FORM
AGE UK ESSEX
ESSAY AND POETRY WRITING COMPETITION 2011/2012
NAME__________________________________________
ADDRESS________________________________________
_______________________Post Code________________
TEL. NO.______________DATE OF BIRTH_____________
(please tick category/categories entered)
Roots Essay_________ Poem________
The Letter Essay_________ Poem________
Celebrations Essay_________ Poem________
You may enter the competition under as many titles as you wish but only one essay and one poem per title please.
Have you remembered to tick the appropriate category/categories and, if you are entering by post, to enclose your three stamped, self-addressed envelopes?
Where did you learn about this competition?______________________________________
Entry forms can also be downloaded from the Age UK website
