I’m delighted to share the news that an excerpt from my hybrid nature memoir ‘The Tree Inside’ has been highly commended by judges of The Laurie Lee Prize.

All shortlisted entrants were invited to a fabulous awards night as part of Stroud Book Festival. Amidst readings and the beauty of a version of Laurie Lee’s poem ‘April Rise’ set to music by Jonathan Trim and performed by the Every Other Monday Choir, judge Adam Horovitz announced my excerpt as a highly commended entry.

It felt very fitting as the memoir celebrates my dad, who introduced me to Laurie Lee’s wonderful writing, as well as the wonder of nature and the nature of wonder.

Congratulations to the winner Laura Kinnear, and thank you to all the judges: Katie Fforde (chair, pictured), Jessy Lee (Laurie Lee’s daughter!), Norah Perkins (Laurie Lee’s literary agent) Jamila Gavin (pictured), Adam Horovitz (pictured) and Jane Bailey (pictured) for commending my tale.

Thank you, especially, to Jane for telling me how it moved you. I know so many people lose loved ones to dementia, and that for every individual it is both unfathomable and extraordinary.