Lancashire and its dialect

The Edwin Waugh Dialect Society has no less than seven trophies on offer to the winners of their annual writing competitions for poetry and prose and a further three trophies for the best overall entries. The winning writers, or their proxy, will be invited to read up to five minutes of their entry at a celebration supper in 2022 when the trophies will be presented.

Entries are invited from both members and non members as follows:

Class 1: Lancashire dialect poems

Class 2: Lancashire dialect prose, maximum 2,000 words Class 3: Stories of a maximum 2,000 words in standard English but with a Lancashire theme and limited Lancashire dialect is permitted

Class 4: Poetry with a Lancashire theme written in standard English

Class 5: Poetry in standard English, with no defined theme

Class 6: Lancashire themed stories or poetry from writers aged under nineteen.

Overall trophies will be awarded for the best entry fro classes 1-4, the best entry in 1-5 from a writer who has not previously won, and the best presentation of a dialect piece at the society’s celebration supper.

The closing date is 31 January 2022 and there is a £2.50 entry fee for non-members. Entry is free for members. Membership of the Society is £5 and there is no limit to the number of entries which can be submitted by members. The Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month, October-June, in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and your first meeting is free to attend.

Details: post entries to Stewart Chadwick, Starkey Farm, Thornham Road, Royton, Oldham OL2

6YG; email: john@thepyes.com;

website www. edwinwaughdialectsociety.com/competitions.html