In honour of our dear friend and acclaimed North-east poet the late Sheila Templeton, The Wee Gaitherin are offering two assisted places to perform at this year’s festival.
Thanks to the community support through our Crowdfunder we plan to support two people to attend the festival who feel that finances would preclude them from doing so.
Please see our announcement of this year's awardees here.
We hope to make this an annual award, so if you are interested in applying next year, please check back.
Who is eligible?
Under 35 years old
We are particularly interested in encouraging young voices to participate in poetry and have the opportunity to perform at festivals therefore the award is open to those aged under 35 years old.
Economically marginalised
If you feel that finances are a barrier to your attendance at the festival then this award is for you.
We are also particularly interested in hearing from you if you feel you are part of a marginalised or underrepresented community or have other barriers which would make attending this year’s festival difficult.
What we plan to do
We will offer two people the sum of £250 plus expenses (travel and one night’s accommodation) to attend the festival and a guaranteed reading slot, at the festival finale, for you to showcase your work.
Note - we ask you to assess your own circumstances in applying and will not be asking for proof of income or other circumstances giving rise to your application.
Final selection will be made by the Wee Gaitherin Trustees and you will receive a response within two weeks of the closing date in order to allow time for travel and accommodation plans. Please note that the Trustees reserve the right not to make awards in the event there are no acceptable applicants.
Sheila Templeton 1941 - 2023
Sheila Templeton was originally from Aberdeen and in later life lived in Glasgow. She wrote beautifully in both Doric Scots and English within her 5 poetry collections. Her work is also published in many magazines, newspapers and anthologies. Sheila won the McCash Scots Language Poetry Competition 4 times. She also won a number of other prizes, including the Robert McLellan and the Neil Gunn Adult Poetry Competitions. From 2001 to 2011 she was Makar of the Federation of Writers Scotland. She was an engaging performer of her own work. In 2020 she was nominated by Creative Scotland for Scots Writer of the Year, as part of the Scots Language Awards. https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/sheila-templeton/