SHORTLISTED ENTRIES

We are delighted to share the shortlisted entries of each category, as well as the entries that received special mentions from our judges.
The lists are in alphabetical order by writer surname.
The final winners of each category will be announced at an award ceremony held at Hopetown in Darlington on 11 July, and unveiled here on the same evening.
In the meantime, congratulations to all the shortlisted writers and thank you to everyone who entered!

  • POETRY

    Short list:

    ‘Pease’s Soliloquy, 1825’ by Julie Ashmore

    ‘Women of the Railway’ by Caroline Hardie-Hammond

    ‘delayed on platform three’ by Leiomrie Mallett

    ‘Body on the Line’ by William Ross

    ‘The Backside of a Town’ by Stephanie Wallace

    Special mentions:
    ‘Metroland’ by Jonny Aldridge
    ‘Song of the Railways’ by Catherine Edmunds
    ‘Three Minutes to Hopetown’ by Marilyn Longstaff
    ‘Heighington Railway Station 1826’ by Hilary Smith
    ‘Thank You Mr Stephenson’ by Alan Stowers

    Judge: Bob Beagrie

  • SHORT STORY

    Short list:

    ‘An Assignment’ by Jonny Aldridge

    ‘The Eternal Hereafter via Thornaby Station’ by Bob Fischer

    ‘Ghandi, Lancastrian and Me’ by Eric Foster

    ‘Redemption Train’ by Elizabeth Ottosson

    ‘Ethel and the Great Iron Horse’ by Michael Walker

    Special mentions:
    ‘Beech Leaves and Wild Bluets’ by Jo Clark
    ‘The Unremembered Journey’ by Quinn Cole
    ‘Derailed’ by Graeme Roche
    ‘Five’ by M. Tindall
    ‘Charlie Scarborough Sees The Light’ by Mike Watson

    Judge: Amy Lord

  • MEMOIR

    Short list:

    ‘The Class 43’ by Michael Jarvie

    ‘A Shildon Lass’ by Lynn Lettice

    ‘My Solo Teenage Train Journey to London’ by Glenda Miller

    ‘Wave Me Off’ by Jane Scott

    ‘Fishing in the Big Freeze’ by Alan Theakston

    Special mentions:
    ‘Lifelines’ by Susan Chapman
    ‘Racing Past’ by Marianne Tracey

    Judge: Mim Skinner



This competition and its corresponding events are a project by Stop Write Hear, and have been made possible with the support of Tracks Darlington,
and through funding from S&DR Heritage and Community Fund, Bishop Line Community Fund and Creative Darlington.