Autumnal Equinox: Day 5

Another day of celebrating the Autumn Equinox, and it was a bit fruit-and-veg-themed (in the morning at least). I'm not sure the Autumnal Equinox has been the most action-packed of our celebrations so far, and perhaps that's because it's hard not to look forward to the big ones that are on the horizon, but we're definitely still marking the season in our own special way.

A Trip to Bury Market

We went to Bury Market this morning with my mother-in-law. Got myself quite the Autumn Equinox cornucopia. Is that 3 figs for £1.50? Yes it is. And I also picked up a bit of market-themed reading at the book exchange stall while we were there.

Autumn Equinox Earrings

Today's Autumn Equinox earrings are little glass corn ears and pumpkins that I bought from a jewellery maker at the Crumpsall and Cheetham Model Allotments fun day at Midsummer. 

Ronald Hutton Lecture

Tonight I attended an online lecture by Ronald Hutton at Gresham College, entitled 'The Gods of Prehistoric Britain'. It was interesting, thought-provoking and entertaining (as I expected it would be!)

Autumnal Equinox: Day 4

Another day of celebrating the Autumnal Equinox. It was a bit of a busy work day, so there wasn't a huge amount of time for celebrating. I did see some excellent (and seasonal) mushrooms though!

Autumn Equinox Earrings

Today's Autumn Equinox earrings were apples. Because the Autumn Equinox is the time of year when we find out if killing him actually did bring back our apples.

Crumpsall Park Litter-Pick

I took the local Beaver Scouts on a litter-pick with Friends of Crumpsall Park this evening. I told them that I like taking pics of cool mushrooms... just in case you were wondering why the sound of small children shouting 'HANNNNAH... MUSHROOOM!!' was ringing out across Crumpsall earlier today! I think my favourite bit was when a little girl explained to me that trees are very very important and told me that I should hug one ('because scientists say so'), then ran off down the path shouting 'I'M LIVING MY LIFE!!' Happy Autumn, little one.

3 Minute Scares is back for its seventh spooky year!

North Manchester FM's Halloween creative writing competition is open for submissions for 2022.

North Manchester FM's Hannah Kate wants your scary stories for Halloween! She’s asking people throughout Greater Manchester to submit their 3-minute stories for her annual creative writing competition. Writers keen to be crowned Greater Manchester’s Spookiest Wordsmith can submit a recording of their mini-tale via Hannah’s website, with the best entries being broadcast on the Halloween edition of Hannah’s Bookshelf on Saturday 29th October.

We’re delighted to announce that this year’s best entry will receive a prize from Breakout Manchester, the live escape room game. Entries need to be 3 minutes long, meaning a word count of around 350-400 words. The judges will be looking for style and originality, as well as how scary the story is. The deadline for entries is Friday 14th October, at midnight.

Last year’s competition was won by R.L. Halsall, whose story was described by guest judge Ramsey Campbell as a 'remarkable achievement' showing 'considerable originality'. Hannah Kate says: ‘Last year's competition was wonderful, with such a wonderful selection of creative and atmospheric entries. Can we top that this year? I'm looking forward to seeing if we can!’

All writers need to enter the competition is a computer with a microphone… and a good story. Entries can be recorded via Hannah’s website. More information and rules of the competition, including information for people unable to submit a recording, can also be found on the website.