GREEN AWARD
£5,000 writing prize
Brian Black was as passionate about the marine environment as he was eloquent in his writing and filmmaking about the crises facing fragile Arctic ecosystems. A television journalist for RTE in Ireland, UTV in Northern Ireland, and later through his own production company, he was also a lifelong sailor and contributor to Yachting Monthly. His wife Lesley was a sailor and author in her own right, becoming Northern Ireland’s first female yacht club commodore, blazing a trail for women in sailing. Both passed away recently.
As a memorial to Brian and Lesley Black, the Black family, in conjunction with Yachting Monthly, have established an award to celebrate sailing adventures which shed a fresh light on marine environmental issues through inspiring journalism and story telling. The award aims to find the very best writing that gives voice to the marine environment and brings a new perspective to readers.
Applications are invited from anyone who has recently used a sailing boat to explore an environmental issue about which they are passionate. The voyage should ideally have been undertaken in UK, European or Arctic waters to reflect Brian and Lesley’s lifelong commitment to this area.
The judges are looking for great stories told well, illustrated with beautiful photography to inform, educate and inspire the reader about an area and environmental issue.
The prize
The winning entry will receive a cash prize of £1,000 and a donation of £500 to an environmental project or charity of choice; publication of their work in Yachting Monthly magazine and website; a presentation hosted by Yachting Monthly and the judging panel; a physical award, and the right to use the award logo.
Criteria
Entries should be in written format. Supporting video can be included but will not form part of the judging decision. Entries must be the original work of the author, not previously published and be at least 2,000 words and maximum of 3,000 words. All images should be specific to the project or voyage and you must have written permission to submit the images for publication if they are not taken by you. Entries from professional writers or which do not meet the conditions listed will not be considered. Entries should be submitted by email to yachtingmonthly@futurenet.com no later than 8 August 2021.
Judging
The judges include: round the world race winner, multiple world champion Mike Golding OBE; six-time circumnavigator and Volvo Ocean Race skipper Dee Caffari MBE; conservation expert Dr Bob Brown OBE; marine environmental consultant and daughter of Brian and Lesley Black, Sarah Brown; and the Yachting Monthly editorial team. The award is supported by The Green Blue, Sea-changers, Imray, Royal Yachting Association, the Royal Highland Yacht Club, the Irish Cruising Club and the Ocean Cruising Club.
■ For full details and before entering, please visit www.yachtingmonthly.com/brianblackmemorial