About Me

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I am a 68-year-old gay disabled amateur part-time writer living in Slough, Berkshire UK. I have published around 60 articles in 20 leisure and lifestyle magazines. I live with a range of health issues including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, depression, atrial fibrillation and restless leg syndrome. (I'm working my way through the medical dictionary!). I'm a member of Slough Writer's Group which is interesting and informative. Latest News. 10th July 2023 Awarded 'The Sandy Lee-Guard Award for Endeavour' by the Slough Writers Group. 6th December 2023 Completed studying 'Writing for Magazines' with CityLit University. January 2nd 2024. Fell over in the lounge and fractured my left femur (whilst recovering from fracturing my right femur in July 2023). Recovery expected to take 6 - 8 months. May 2024. Completed studying ' National Centre for Writing' course 'Creative Non-Fiction - An Introduction'. You can see the articles that have been published in the 'LATEST WORK' section of my website. It's at http://richardhill.co.uk/latest.html

Sunday 13 October 2024

Kaira's Update

 SCROLL DOWN FOR OCTOBER 2024 COMPETITIONS

Kaira settled down really well for the night. We've got two beds for her; one in the lounge for daytime use and one in the bedroom for nighttime.

She barked once last night, otherwise, no barking which is a relief!

Simon took her out for a walk this morning and she met up with our neighbours' dog, 'Patch' whom she was fine with.

She's eating, drinking, and sleeping well and springs into action when something interesting happens such as when one of us goes into the kitchen.

Tomorrow, I've got to update her microchip details but need to find out who she's currently registered with. I'm unsure how to find out this information, so I will ask someone at 'Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary' in the morning. We've also got to fit her dog tag to her collar.

As I write this, she's fast asleep on her bed. In a while, I'm going to sit on the bench in our communal garden to have tea with my friend and neighbour Ann while Kaira will be free to roam on her 'long lead'.

Watch this space!

Saturday 12 October 2024

Kaira Arrives from Spain

SCROLL DOWN FOR OCTOBER 2024 COMPETITIONS
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 Kaira has Arrived from Spain!




We collected Karia from 'Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary' this morning. She'd travel overnight from Spain by road. She was very nervous initially but has now calmed down a bit. She's clearly been mistreated and is all skin and bone. We'll be able to rectify that.

SCROLL DOWN FOR OCTOBER 2024 COMPETITIONS

Thursday 10 October 2024

Competitions October 2024

 Competitions October 2024

 

Free Flash Fiction

https://freeflashfiction.com/current-competition/

 

Dark Poets Prize – Edition II

https://www.darkpoets.club/the-dark-poets-prize-edition-ii

 

QuietManDave Flash Fiction Prize

https://www.mmu.ac.uk/qmdprize/flash-fiction-prize

 

Anthology Poetry Competition

https://anthology-magazine.com/awards/poetry-competition/

 

The Bedford Competition – Short Story and Poetry Awards

https://bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk/

 

Trio International Poetry Competition 2024

https://www.triouganda.org/poetry-competition

 

Broken Sleep Books Poetry Competition 2024

https://www.brokensleepbooks.com/broken-sleep-books-poetry-competition

'Search and Rescue' dogs - article

I'm currently researching material for an article about 'Search and Rescue' dogs for 'Dogs Today' magazine. I'm also sourcing high-resolution photographs to accompany my article. Here's one by photographer Jonathon Sterritt. It's especially brilliant in high-resolution.



Wednesday 9 October 2024

Questions for dog show organisers/volunteers.

 Organising a Dog Show 2025

Questions for Contributors.

(These questions are intended for guidance only – feel free to alter or amend your answers).

Personal Information (e.g. Joe Blogs (67) from Telford said “…)

1.      What is your name as you want it to appear in the article?

2.      What is your age? (optional)

3.      Where do you live? (town/city/county etc.)

Your Dog Show Information.

·         When is your 2025 dog show taking place?

·         Is your dog show part of another event? (e.g. Village Show)

·         Whereabouts is your dog show taking place?

·         Does your dog show have an organising team/committee?

·         How many people are involved in organising this dog show?

·         What is your role in organising this dog show?

·         How long have you been assisting in organising dog shows?

·         When does your team/committee begin organising your 2025 dog show?

·         Does your team or committee follow the Kennel Club information and/or guidelines?

·         Do you have to have the permission of the local authority?

·         Does your group have a bank account of its own?

·         How do you appeal to local businesses for funding or sponsorship?

·         Who pays for such items as rosettes and/or trophies?

·         How many dogs do you anticipate taking part?

·         Will you have a vet in attendance?

·         Will you have a medical professional in attendance? (e.g. St. Johns Ambulance)?

·         What classes will you have?

·         Will you have insurance?

·         How will you find a suitable judge?

·         If required, would you be happy for me to conduct a telephone interview with you? If so, what is your telephone number? (preferably a landline).

Please write any further information of how you will organise your dog show.

Insomnia?

It's 03:40 and I'm wide awake! I slept for around four hours from 22:00 until 02:00, when I woke up feeling wide awake.


I watched some television, but there's not much on, so now I'm here!
I'm aiming to do several stuff today. These include:-
  • Complete my personal budget.
  • Organise some of the emails that have come in, regarding 'Organising a Companion Dog Show',
  • Create a list of questions for contributors (re above).
  • Review the information on the 'Kennel Club' website regarding 'Organising a Companion Dog Show'.
  • Collect and collate the personal details of contributors.
Have a cup of tea before I start writing the first draft!