JOHN HARTLEY ACHIEVES 2nd PLACE - WELL DONE JOHN!

It's many congratulations to Melville Lovatt as a second collection of his poems is published by TSL Books.

Reviews alert us to the promise of poems dealing with the challenges, consolation, and the humour of everyday life. Delivered in a no nonsense unfailing precision, we are invited into a world of ultra keen observation - to quote two reviewers.

Click on the image left for more details.

Watford Writers' Oliver Lomax has received a glowing four-star review for his new book, Sophisticated Harmony: The Lives and Music of the Great British Arrangers.

Published by Vocalion, this fascinating book focuses on six British arrangers who worked on London’s thriving music scene of the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.  Arrangers were once the backbone of the music business. They were the ones behind the scenes – the archetypal backroom boys – who spent hours in solitude, often working to crushing deadlines, scribbling notes onto score paper which would subsequently be heard in myriad contexts: behind a singer or vocal group; or as an accompaniment to comedians, variety acts, all types of pop group, contestants on gameshows … You name it, and the arrangers had to be able to score it, in any style and for any instrumental combination – for TV, radio, documentaries, films, theatre, records – and it always had to be good and delivered on time. In other words, they had to be completely flexible and utterly professional.

This is a vivid account of a fascinating era of music-making, given from the arrangers’ perspective – the people who were at the heart of the music business and the wider entertainment industry. 

Our congratulations to Oliver on his achievement.

To purchase a copy, please click here.

 November issue of Record Collector magazine 

Earlier this year Watford Area Arts Forum (WAAF) announced a competition based on Elton John’s iconic album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.  The competition was divided into two categories, art and literature. Entrants were asked to use the song titles, lyrics, illustrations on the album cover or take any inspiration from the record itself. This week marks the 50th Anniversary of the album’s release, that might make you feel old!

Helen Nicell of WAAF said “I am delighted we had twenty entries in each category for the competition, with an exhibition at Watford Museum displaying the entries throughout September, the final results being announced last Saturday. Initially there was a public vote, then the ten shortlisted entries were passed to independent judges. We were very fortunate that the original artist of the album’s cover, Ian Beck, agreed to judge the art competition.  He was unable to attend on Saturday, but local Art Historian, Ian Welland announced the results on his behalf. We were also very pleased that Mick Callanan, Delivery Director for the Orwell Youth Prize and an English Teacher for over 30 years, agreed to judge the literary category.”

The prize money for the competitions was kindly donated by Watford Council and Aga Dychton, Deputy Mayor, presented these, the winners also received the WAAF trophy.  

The results were:

Literary Competition  - 

1st Place - Sumi Watters – Aeroplanes and Electric Boots 

2nd Place - Liz Shaw - The Tale of the Horny-Back Toad  

3rd Place - Veronica Montgomery - The Mystery of Alice Vaughan Williams

Art Competition - 

1st Place - Louise Welland - Our Yellow Brick Road 

2nd Place - Nadi Shanassi – Saturday Night

3rd Place - Brian Cowan - Goodbye Norma Jean

Photo: Brian Cowan, Louise Welland, Sumi Watters, Mick Callanan (literary judge) and Cllr Aga Dychton, Deputy Mayor of Watford. 

Louise Welland’s winning art piece was a collage based on Watford's old and local celebrities. Watford Museum have requested if this piece could be donated to hang in the new Watford Museum and Louise was delighted to agree to this. 

Grateful thanks to the judges, Watford Council, Watford Museum and to everyone that took part. 

Thanks for the music Elton, and thanks for suggesting the competition Ian Welland.

The children of Colnbrook School were recently treated to a morning of storytelling when members of a local writers’ group visited. Taking inspiration from a book cover design illustrated by the pupils, members of the KidsLit group wrote original stories and poems, which were entered into a competition organised by the South Oxhey school. The children chose their favourite from the eleven entries—a charming story in rhyme titled The Elephant Who Went to the Moon by Susan de Silva.  

“I was delighted my story was chosen,’ Susan said. ‘It was wonderful to read to the children of Colnbrook. I look forward to seeing more of their illustrations.”

“We were grateful for the opportunity to work with and share our stories with the students of Colnbrook School,” another KidsLits Lit Author commented following the event. ‘We would love to collaborate with other local schools in the future.”   

Caroline Aplin, the Headteacher said, “Colnbrook have really enjoyed working collaboratively with the writers. The children initially designed a front cover and our Chair of Governors, Hilary McDermott, put us in touch with the writers, who took on board the title of the story and wrote some wonderful stories. The student voice chose a winner, and we were delighted that many of the authors were able to come into school and read to us. Collaboration with our local community is very important to us as a special school and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS OF KIDS LIT AT COLNBROOK 

The KidsLit group evolved from Watford Writers in 2020, when it was realised there were many in the group interested in writing for children. They meet fortnightly on Thursdays on Zoom and have previously performed works at local events.  

If your school might be interested in working with the group please contact Chris McDermott, benhannick@aol.com 

Further information on KidsLit, PLEASE CLICK HERE.