Leopard Magazine
Reading 49 entries for the Toulmin short story competition, run by the Elphinstone Institute, has kept me out of mischief recently. ‘Short’ is perhaps an inappropriate word, as these stories were up to 4,000 words long – and some exceeded even that and were disqualified.
One or two leapt out for the judges – Jack Webster, Paul Dukes, Norman Harper and myself – as being of exceptional quality. Of course, we all read anonymous copies, so when we finally reached a decision it was a pleasure to learn that the winning writer was Eleanor Fordyce, no stranger to Leopard.
Another winner raised a smile this week. I pick the crossword prize-winner ‘blind’ before we go to press. The first correct entry was from Mary Webster in Australia, who had added a note: “In the unlikely event that I win, please give it to Barbara Henderson at The Wool Shed near Gadie’s, for credit next time I am in Aberdeenshire.” Consider it done, Mary.
I hope you all enjoy this summer edition, the biggest-ever Leopard at 100 pages!
Subscribe to Leopard Magazine.
Recent articles
From the June 2009 edition
Living history of Aboyne Games found in attic
Carefully preserved in the bank at Aboyne is a small, leather-bound book which contains minutes of the birthing of the Aboyne Games.
continued »Filed under: Sport HistoryTreasures of the Charter Room
The Charter Room in Aberdeen Town House was built in 1873 to house the historical records of the council, the earliest surviving document being a charter granted in 1179 by King William the Lion.
continued »Filed under: People HistorySae Mony Summers
Winner of the Toulmin Prize for 2009, by Eleanor Fordyce
continued »Filed under: Language FictionFrom the May 2009 edition
Patrick Gordon: Tutor to Peter the Great
As a self-styled ‘soldier of fortune’, he had risen through the ranks to become a general and right-hand man of Peter the Great. The story goes that the tsar wept beside Gordon’s deathbed and closed the eyes of his faithful servant. continued »
Filed under: People HistoryAberdeen’s tower blocks
Imagine a city where everything lies within walking distance of home: shops, parks, cinemas, school, a gym, football stadium, and a bus station. How can you fit everything in? The answer: high-rise development.
continued »Filed under: Architecture