Gordon to help launch 2010 Swale Arts Forum Bursary

Local Conservative parliamentary candidate, Gordon Henderson, will help launch the 2010 Swale Arts Forum Bursary Award. The bursary will be awarded for creative writing at a ceremony in February 2010.

In previous years the bursary has been awarded to talented Swale youngsters James Allchin (2008 – visual arts) and Jamie Evenden (2009 – performing arts).

The launch of the £700 bursary will take place at the Ship On Shore public house, Marine Parade, Sheerness on Thursday 8th October 2009 at 7.30 pm. Members of the public who are interested in the arts are invited to attend, including any creative writers from the Swale area who might like to enter the competition.

During the evening local writers, including members of the Sheppey Writers Group and Island Artists, will be doing readings of their work.

Mr Henderson, who is an active supporter of the Swale Arts Forum and has helped sponsor the bursary since its inauguration, has agreed to read some of his own work.

Mr Henderson said.

“I am delighted to help sponsor the Swale Arts Forum Bursary Award again this year. The Forum is doing excellent work promoting the arts in our area and it is good to see them encouraging local people to realise their talent.

“I am particularly pleased that the 2010 bursary will go to a creative writer. As an occasional writer myself I understand the thrill of seeing one’s work in print. If the 2010 bursary can set somebody on the path to a successful writing career then it will be a job well done.

“This is the first time that the Bursary Award launch has taken place on Sheppey and I would urge my fellow Islanders to come along to the Ship On Shore and support this important event in the Swale Arts Forum calendar.”