Creative talents rewarded in staff competition

The artistic talents of Trust staff have been recognised in the annual staff painting and poetry competition.

 

At the award ceremony Trust chairman Dr Mary Archer congratulated staff and thanked those who took part.

 

She said: “I never cease to be amazed at the diversity of the talents of our staff in this Trust. It just shows me that there’s a creative and free spirit in so many of us that expresses itself in poetry and art and that’s absolutely splendid.”

 

There were 11 paintings and 12 poems shortlisted from the 33 entries in each category. An expert panel of judges from the local arts and literary scene had the difficult task of choosing the winners.

 

First place in the painting competition went to Sue Burgess with ‘Hulls Mill Farm’.

 

 

Sue, who is a coordinator in the cleft lip and palate team, was thrilled to win with the acrylic on paper she created at art class. She said: “I’ve always painted and got back into art class about 18 months ago. I’m so overwhelmed.”

 

Runners up were paediatric team leader Katie Bagstaff with her entry ‘Belt View’ and research nurse Annie McNinch with ‘3.3’.

 

The painting competition was sponsored by Tindalls stationers who kindly donated a £125 voucher for the winner and £75 vouchers for each of the runners up.

 

The poetry competition was sponsored by the manager of Hotel Du Vin and the first prize was dinner, bed and breakfast at the Cambridge hotel. Runners up received book vouchers provided by Cambridge University Press.

 

The winning poem was ‘Almost’ by junior charge nurse Lloyd Walpole from the King’s Lynn dialysis unit.

 

He said: “All my life I’ve been writing. I thought I’d give the competition a go and think it’s brilliant I won. It’s fantastic to see my work up there on the wall. I might have to bring the family over to have a look. I thought the prize was the glory of winning I didn’t expect a night in a hotel too. My wife will be really pleased.”

 

Programme and information manager Paul McGhee won the highly commended award for his poem ‘The Un-digitized’. Commended poems were ‘Dreams of flying’ by neurosciences staff nurse Naomi Young and ‘Day Dreams’ by Sally Wood, staff nurse, ward A5.

 

Lesley Bermingham, who works for Addenbrooke’s Arts, said: “Our annual staff poetry and art competitions have been a great opportunity to discover and celebrate the creativity of our staff. It has been an absolute joy to see such an inspiring variety of poems and artwork, which will now adorn our corridors.”

 

The winning poem has been inscribed on the wall of the corridor leading to the ATC and the shortlisted paintings are also on display there too. Why not pop along and see the hidden talents of your colleagues?

 

> Slideshow gallery

 

 

 

Back to top