Results of Ted Jones Short Story Competition 2023
It was the results of the Ted Jones Trophy, short story competition , on the subject of “Change”. Pat Pearcy and Emily Houghton presented the results on behalf of Cippenham Book Club
Competition Results:
The judges handing Lorraine Forrest-Turner (centre) the Ted Jones Short Story Cup
1st Place - Lorraine Forrest-Turner - Loose Change
2nd Place - Lee Taylor - Faites Vos Jeux
3rd Place - Rob Kibble - The Big Issue
Highly Commended - Mark Starkey - All Good Things
A big thank you to the Judges, Cippenham Book Group and very well done to the winners
Lorraine read “Loose Change”, A long series of seemingly trivial events, from a gambler dropping his “lucky penny”… to a caravan fire… to a Pilot kept awake by his neighbour’s neglected dog, all lead to a major horrific and fatal accident.
Lee read, “Factes vos Jeux”. A journalist who has spent his life as an observer, rather than participant, encounters an enigmatic, attractive widow at a casino. She asks what he is running from and they spend the night together. She disappears but he feels for the first time hopeful for the future. Unfortunately for him, the timing is not good..
Mark read “All good things”. Maisie is looking for a change to her life. She consults with a fortune teller, Madam Spectre, who tells her to go out into the world because she sees good things for Maisie. And she’s right. Maisie meets a handsome stranger, they fall in love, move in together but there is something in her future Madam Spectre did not foresee.
At the judges’ request, Philip read “An English bag of food”. A destitute and traumatised ex member of Her Majesty’s Forces, is searching for food. “Today is an Aldi day”. He targets shoppers at local supermarkets, planning his manoeuvres like a military operation, and talks constantly to “your Majesty”. A very moving and brilliant portrayal of a man over the edge.
The judges from the Cippenham Book Group preparing to deliver their verdicts.
Lorraine-Forrest Turner, reading the winning entry.
Lee Taylor, reading the runner-up.
Rob Kibble, third.
A good crowd turned out for the results.
(Report by Sonya Weiss.)