Falkirk Writers' Trophy

Last week, while I was busy at Linlithgow Palace, my wife was attending the Falkirk Writers' Annual Bash.
Most of those who attend have entered pieces of writing on various subjects. There are prizes. Not points....just prizes.
The top prize is the Trophy...a silver cup. Well, I am delighted to write that my wife won the trophy with a short story called, "Message in a Bottle"
This is the third time she has won this trophy. Clever girl! And it is plaudit for Clydebank Writers too!

I saw she had a huge smile as she emerged from the afternoon, with a box in her hand that said, "Artificial Christmas Tree." I thought she had bought some junk actually. But no, it was the trophy.

This last week has been a most interesting one. I have lots to write. But not all in this blog.

Good things. I bought an I-Pad, and am learning to use it. I bought it so that when I go to America later this year, I do not have to carry my heavy lap top.

As part of West Dunbartonshire's Literature Festival, I attended an evening at Dalmuir Library. It was to commemorate the UCS Sit In. UCS = Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.
In June 1971, the Conservative Government decided that it could no longer give subsidies to shipbuilding on the River Clyde. The industry had been in decline due to cheaper costs in foreign markets. Shipbuilding had been the main employer on the river for almost a 100 years. Clydebank actually grew up as a result of John Brown's Shipyard being established at this point of the Clyde.
The workers decided that they could not allow this to happen. Meetings were organised. It was realised that if the workers simply went on strike, the Yards would never re-open. So instead, the Unions organised a "Work In."
They would continue to build ships. They would work with the liquidator. Money raising activities took place around the world, and the work in continued until February 1972, at which point the Government reversed its decision not to support Upper Clyde Shipbuilders. Jimmy Reid was perhaps the best known figure to come out of this event, though there many other characters who became famous.

The Literature festival event..."A Rose Loupt Out" was a celebration in words and music of those historic days.
There was a great attendance, and I was there to read a Poem on behalf of the author. The whole evening was a most enjoyable experience, and I met many interesting characters.
There are links to relevant web sites posted below,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/hist/employment/ship/section_d/index.shtml

http://www.myclydebankphotos.co.uk/

http://libraryonline.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/rooms/

David Betteridge's book, "A Rose Loupt Oot" is available from
http://www.smokestack-books.co.uk/book.php?book=15

Falkirk Writers' Trophy

Clydebank Writers
Betty, Marie _Therese, Claire.