In a delightful fusion of creativity and style, the Bournemouth Writing Festival teamed up with the Bournemouth-based Mad Hat Company to host a hat-themed writing competition. This event, marking the second edition of the festival, drew in writers and poets eager to explore the multifaceted world of hats through their words. The competition aimed to inspire unique literary expressions, celebrating the charm and significance of hats in everyday life and culture.
Held in the picturesque town of Bournemouth, the festival already boasted a strong reputation for nurturing literary talent. The collaboration with the Mad Hat Company added a whimsical twist to the event, encouraging participants to weave stories and poems around the theme of hats. This partnership proved to be a perfect match, blending the festival’s literary focus with the company’s passion for stylish headwear.
Participants were invited to submit a 200-word story or poem cantered on hats, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The competition received numerous entries, each showing the diverse ways hats can inspire storytelling. The submissions ranged from nostalgic and humorous to poetic and whimsical, reflecting the varied perspectives and creative approaches of the writers.
The judging panel, comprising Rachel Woodward Carrick and Dominic Wong, the director of the Bournemouth Writing Festival, brought their literary expertise to the selection process. Their involvement lent significant credence to the judging criteria, ensuring that the chosen winners truly represented the best of the entries.
Three writers emerged as the standout winners, each bringing a unique perspective to the theme. Muyiwa Babayomi’s “Seaside Strolls and Hat Stories” captivated the judges with its evocative depiction of various hats in a seaside town, using vivid imagery and rhythmic verses to capture the essence of each hat and the stories they told.
Rachel Berenson-Perkins charmed the judges with “The French Love a Little Hat,” a witty narrative personifying the quirks of the French language. Her clever exploration of accents as little hats added a humorous and light-hearted touch to the competition.
Jane Welton impressed with “Hats Encouraged, but Not Compulsory,” a humorous take on the social dynamics of wearing hats at weddings. Her narrative imaginatively explored the concept of attending weddings uninvited by simply donning a hat, offering a playful critique of modern-day customs and social interactions.
The winning entries were shared on the Mad Hat Company’s Instagram account, allowing the broader community to enjoy these creative works. The competition not only highlighted the creative talents of the participants but also underscored the enduring appeal of hats as a source of inspiration.
This collaboration between the Mad Hat Company and the Bournemouth Writing Festival has set a high bar for future events, seamlessly blending fashion and literature in a way that captivated both participants and audiences. The festival continues to be a premier platform for celebrating literary creativity, and the success of this hat-themed competition has added a new, stylish dimension to its legacy. As the festival grows, such collaborations promise to bring even more innovative and engaging events to the creative community in Bournemouth.
Good luck to all the winners.
