Solent Writers’ Circle

The Livinia Hammond Cup

Each month we write a 'prep' of approximately 600 words on a set topic which we then read aloud to the group. After each reading other members can comment on the piece and make suggestions if they wish.

We also have a number of internal competitions each year including the Livinia Hammond Cup, the Anthony Collinson Award for Humorous Writing and Patsy's short, short story competition. We also share ideas and news of external competitions and activities                                                                       

Programme for 2024/25

Date of meeting	Prep to be read (approx. 600 words)	Competition entries to be handed in this month.* Entry fee of £2 allows for up to two entries to each competition
21st May 2024	Walking to Work	Results of the Livinia Hammond Cup announced (May or June meeting)
18th June 2024	The Thin Red Line OR The Doll in the Window
16th July 2024	A Pinch of Salt
17 September 2024	Visit to the Dentist OR On the Road
15 October 2024	Lost in the Woods	Anthony Collinson Award for Humorous Writing. “What a Mess!”
19 November 2024	Sausages OR There Was No Time to Change My Mind
10 December 2024 Christmas Party	I Thought You Never Wore Red	Results of the Anthony Collinson Award announced
21 January 2025	The Missing Book
18 February 2025	That Sinking Feeling OR Promotion	Patsy’s very short, short story competition. Stories must include scent or smell in some way. 100 words exactly, excluding title, but it must have a title. Correctly hyphenated words count as one word.
18 March 2025	Open Window
15 April 2025 AGM	Just the Ticket OR These Boots Are Made for Walking	The Livinia Hammond Cup Competition. “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder”
20 May 2025	The Devil is in the Detail	Results of the Livinia Hammond Cup announced (May or June meeting)
17 June 2025	It Couldn’t Be Real OR Therapy
15 July 2025	As We Were Walking Along the Beach
* Up to 1000 words unless specified otherwise.