Tale of beloved grandfather's passing is short story winner

A dancer from Horsham has won the Broadway Arts Festival short story prize, set up in the Cotswolds town as a response to the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic.
Catherine Sleeman from HorshamCatherine Sleeman from Horsham
Catherine Sleeman from Horsham

With a main prize of £400 and an under-16 prize of £100, the competition was free to enter, with a maximum of 2,000 words. Entrants had just over one month to submit their entries. The prize was sponsored by festival benefactors Julia and Martin Wilson who also judged the entries.

Catherine Sleeman from Horsham was announced as the winner of the main prize for her story Tomorrow.

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Catherine said: “I am a young dancer, currently still in professional training, and enjoy writing in my spare time. I have been coming up with stories since I was about six and now am interested in exploring relationships between people and the different ways in which we experience human emotion.

“My story Tomorrow was taken very much from real life: on June 24 2016 my grandfather died having developed motor neurone disease about seven months previously. For many, that day is remembered in terms of the Brexit result but, for our family, it has a different significance – an added layer of loss. 2016 and 2017 were difficult years for my family and I have revisited them a lot for myself.

“Here, however, I imagined the events of June 23 and 24 from my mum’s perspective. I wanted to capture her tenderness and her strength as well as a real sense of loneliness as she struggled with the numerous duties of care and causes of grief in her life at that time.

“As the story is such a personal one, winning this competition feels very special. I am very grateful to have been selected and delighted to hear that the judges were touched and moved by my words. It is a beautiful surprise in a time of national sadness.”

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Martin Wilson said: “Our idea in starting the short story competition was to expand the range of the Broadway Arts Festival and, more importantly, to encourage imaginative writing, in particular by younger people. We were surprised and very gratified by the large number of entries – 193 in all – and by the very high standard of so many of the stories. Both the prize-winning entries were beautifully written.”

The winning stories are now published for all to read and enjoy at http://www.broadwayartsfestival.com

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