Writers Help Local Boy

Members of the Borders Writers Forum recently donated proceeds from a book sale to contribute to an appeal to help buy Kelso boy George a stairlift and specialist bathroom – vital modifications without which he cannot return home from hospital. He also needs a new wheelchair which would allow him to gain back a small part of his much needed independence.

BWF writers raised over £500 for the Get George Moving appeal. There is still another £8000 to be raised to enable George to return home and have a full life.

George suffers from a number of chronic, incurable and life limiting conditions for which he has been receiving treatment since 2014 and his family really want to bring him home.

You can read more about George and contribute to his appeal here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/getgeorgemoving

BWF writers read to packed venue at Borders Book Festival

Members of the Borders Writers Forum read to a packed venue at the 2023 Borders Book Festival, which featured a feast of headline attractions from Booker prize winner Douglas Stuart to Judy Murray, Val McDermid to Helena Kennedy, and former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child to Rory Bremner, to name a few.

The audience in the Davidson Chalmers Stewart Storytelling Tent was most appreciative as local BWF writers Susan Lorna Allen, Steve Barker, Hayley Emberey, Jessie Growden, Elaine Henderson, Pamela Gordon Hoade, Rachel Kerr, Robert Leach, John McCann, and Peter Zentler-Munro read excerpts of poetry and prose from the latest BWF anthology, “Who am I and how did I get here?”

The anthology is available to purchase from BWFElaine@gmail.com and local bookshops.

Nature Calling

Performance Fun

Where does inspiration come from? Well, to judge from the Open Mic evening at the Borders Writers Forum, it can come from almost anywhere. We were treated to readings of poetry, short stories, memoir, flash fiction and the prologue from a novel due for imminent publication.

Inspiration for these writings had come from nature – not only the beauty and peace of our local landscape but also a hungry ostrich; history, where delving into family history provided explosive revelations and also a new female perspective on the Battle of Hastings; the benefits and perils of technology where it is possible to track down lost items that bring back memories, but provide no hiding place for secret liaisons; and politics with a poem about a bold plan which brought us right up to date on the Conservative Party roller coaster. Last, but not least, we learned a new word – “Puggies” from family holidays in seaside arcades.

A great evening for all who take joy from working with words.

Credits: Photo by Elodie Emberey. Words by Jan Morris.