Although not an East Devon Alliance event, many members attended Michael Temple’s fascinating evening on the literature of our district last Friday in Ottery St Mary.

Many great writers have been inspired by our area: Coleridge, Conan Doyle, Defoe, Tennyson, C Day Lewis, Wells, Raleigh and Patricia Beer. In an hour and a half of readings, we heard from all of them, and from living local authors too.

Beautifully narrated by Michael, this ninety minute feast reminded us that our part of the world – from Exmouth to Axmouth – has as distinct an identity and a place in literature as any other part of the country.

Thanks were given to all who helped, including local libraries, bookshops and newspapers. Prizes were generously funded by the Sidmouth/ Ottery Herald. The prizewinners were warmly applauded. They were Philip Smith, for  Beer Beach in January: ; and budding author Libby Dean (aged 12), for A Scene from Sidmouth Folk Festival .

(Please note that contrary to an earlier report,Harry Guest did not win a prize in the writing competition – his excellent poem, the Boyhood of Raleigh,pointing to things today which would be unfamiliar to a child of that time, was published back in 1997).

Organiser Michael Temple has added: “I should like to warmly thanks all the readers and living authors who read the extracts and poems so well. (I was the link-man.)”