Some roads are long and winding, some lead to nowhere, others are paved with good intentions. 

From the ones less travelled to those that go on and on, roads and journeys taken along them - whether real or symbolic - have always been a common theme in literature.

The 18th Elmbridge Literary Competition, run in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council and the R C Sherriff Trust, is looking for your short stories and poems on the theme of ‘The Road’.

The competition will launch on 14 September at the Sam Beare Bookshop on Weybridge High Street at 12pm. You are invited to come along and meet our panel of judges. They will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.

2023 is the 30th anniversary of The R C Sherriff Trust. Much of Sherriff’s writing involved journeys, some literal and others metaphorical; but all equally compelling. His most famous work, ‘Journey’s End’, is a poignant epitaph for WW1 soldiers who took their last journey through life in the WW1 trenches.

The 2023 Competition includes prizes for each age category. There is also an Elmbridge Prize for the best story or poem in the adult category submitted by an Elmbridge resident.

The Competition will once again run in partnership with publishers Sampson Low, who will publish the winning entries as a Chapbook*.

Entry for adults is £5 with under 18s free.

The closing date for entries is Monday 27 February 2023.

Councillor Janet Turner, Portfolio Holder for Elmbridge Borough Council’s Leisure, Cultural and Environmental Services, said, “We are pleased with the Elmbridge Literary Competition’s success. It has gone from strength to strength over the last years with ever-increasing number of participants from all over the world. We look forward to receiving a record number of entries with such a captivating theme this year. We hope local schools will get involved and perhaps include the competition as part of their writing and literacy syllabus. The Literary Competition is putting on writing workshops for schools this year to help young participants to polish their stories. Teachers are invited to take these up to help inspire pupils”.

Pete Allen, Director of The R C Sherriff Trust said, “The Elmbridge Literary Competition has established itself as a major competition for writers of all ages, not just from Elmbridge, but nationally and internationally. Despite the difficulty of the past couple of years, we’re thrilled that the Competition has been able to offer aspiring authors the opportunity to flex their creative talents, and underline the importance of the arts in helping to address matters of health and well-being.” 

Full details, terms and conditions are available at www.rcsherrifftrust.org.uk and  www.elmbridge.gov.uk/culture or by contacting 01932 229996 or emailing arts@rcsherrifftrust.org.uk or arts@elmbridge.gov.uk