2020 sees a bumper crop of super stories about and set around R&B
Cast your mind back to 1st February 2020, a lifetime ago.
The 3rd round of Reigate & Banstead Writes opened for entries. Once again, we asked youngsters to fire up their imaginations and write a story about their town.
We thought the 2020 round would culminate in an exciting ‘awards afternoon’ at the Harlequin on the 19th June with special guests Vashti Hardy and Crispin Blunt MP joining in with congratulating and celebrating our young writers – a cornerstone event for the first RH Rock and Write Fringe…
Everything has changed and whilst the Fringe week has fallen victim to the virus. Some things have not changed. There are hordes of talented young wordsmiths from our towns, who have submitted their stories: stories with thrills and spills, stories that make you laugh out loud, some stories that are happy and some that make feel a little sad (in a good way).
As for the settings: there are ghostly goings on in Priory Park. The Belfry is home to a nest of spies. Mercers Lake has all sorts of exciting shenanigans taking place. Whilst adventures have happened at Earlswood Lakes, Furzefield Woods, Merstham Rec and or course, Memorial park. Just a few to whet your appetite.
It is only expected that stories of viruses engulfing the area feature heavily, with heroic children battling to save the day. Art does indeed mirror life.
As of deadline day (10th April) we have received just under 500 entries. Wow! If you are reading this and are a parent of a young writer thank you for supporting and encouraging your child. It has been enormously satisfying and fulfilling to see the spark of creativity lit and let us hope they all keep writing.
We do hope to host the awards afternoon in due course and celebrate the wonderful writing of our youngsters.
The five independent judges take charge and have difficult choices to make. We hope to announce winners and ‘highly commended’ by the end of May. These writers will be contacted individually. Please contact Kay Reigateandbansteadwrites@gmail.com with queries.
