THE WRITERS

GROUP

The Barra Bards - Grand Book Launch

Four of the island's youngest and most talented poets launched their new book of poetry and prose on Tuesday 20th April 2004.

Island: A collection of poems and prose by young writers from the Isle of Barra was launched at Castlebay School on Tuesday night. At a most enjoyable evening, the Barra Writers' Group provided an overview of the project from its conception and delightfully delivered a number of passages from the new book.

Mrs Tricia Blacker, who introduced the Writers' Group as Amy MacPhee, Cara Donnelly, Megan Bickle and Louise MacNeil, commended the young writers for their hard effort and also praised the quality of the work produced.

The writers explained to the audience that in October last year they agreed to set up the group and met every Monday to study a variety of styles and techniques and other works by famous writers and poets. After a few weeks of writing, the group decided to create a book that would contain a variety of poems and prose reflecting life on Barra through their own eyes.

The group then decided to put a funding package together, which would allow them to produce and market the book themselves and were successful in obtaining support from a variety of sources including CNES, WIE, Mary Schmoller, Donald Manford and many others. Local shops, hotels, the airport and other retail outlets all agreed to sell their work. The book will soon be on the Isle of Barra website and the girls plan to sell copies on Ebay and are currently designing their own web site.

The result of their efforts is a wonderful collection "dedicated to the beautiful islands of Barra and Vatersay; the locals; the lifestyle and the freedom".

It seems very appropriate that this exciting and vibrant set of works is born in the season of spring as our island comes alive with its new lambs, new calves and tourists!

Island provides the reader with a unique reflection of our island which is carried by an honesty of youth and set with all the best traditions of Barra & Vatersay, its environment, its culture, its industry, its music and most of all its people.

Once you read it you will know that you have sampled what is best about these islands and if this is what the Writers Group set out to achieve, then they are to be praised as they have done so with great success. Here is one example:

 The Rune of Barra

The stranger comes ashore

Alone and cold he walks

But the kindness will come upon him

The warmth of the soup

The hug of the fire

The pleasure of blether

The comfort of sleep
  

Contact the writers on writersgroup01@hotmail.com