We’re delighted to announce that Barbara’s story, The Border Gate, has been published in an anthology entitled Wild Voices. Buy your copy here and support Wildlife SOS.

Kathryn is on a roll! Off the back of her MPhil success she’s also been awarded first place in the Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition!

It’s been a joy watching Paddy O’Hagan take shape, and we’re so happy that he’s out there in the world.

Click here to read this remarkable little story. To whet your appetite, here are the judge’s thoughts:

Comments by judge Lynne Hackles.

I wanted a good story with no clichés, no predictable plots and no stereotypical characters.  I also wanted a story that remained in my memory and moved me in some way.

I chose this as the winner because it was so well written, had humour and a twist at the end which I had not expected.  It was written in an original way – in short sections – which enabled a change of viewpoint.  There was sadness in this, for the plight of Paddy, but also plenty of occasions when I laughed out loud. 

The relationship between Paddy and the nuns was intriguing throughout, from his childhood days filled with fear at his school run by nuns, to his days in the park as a down-and-out when the nuns pass by. 

The story ends with a revelation.  It’s not often that I am surprised by a twist but this was a good one.