Irvine: Ravenfest celebrates Poe in style at Townhouse

Originally planned as a three-day festival, the 2021 event by Poetic Justice Productions, had to be downscaled due to coronavirus.

But Poe fans enjoyed a great night of performances by the North Ayrshire community interest company, including refadings of such favourites as The Black Cat, The Telltale Heart and The Raven.

Provost Iain Clarkson presents the award to Over 18 short story winner Jenna H Laird.

The company’s first Poe-inspired short story competition, sponsored by The Irvine Times, saw more than 30 entries from all over Scotland.

First prize in the adult competition went to Jenna H Laird, from Dreghorn, for her story Dearest Darling Decay. She was presented with her prize by North Ayrshire Provost Iain Clarkson. In second place was Judith Crow, from Thurso, with The Clockmaker and in third place was Jack Lovie, of Irvine, with the Bad Box. A showing of the classic Poe movie The Pit and the Pendulum followed.

Ravenfest

Provost Clarkson was delighted with the event and enjoyed what he described as ‘an evening of real culture for Irvine’.

The following day saw children’s events held in the Volunteer Rooms, when the winners of the under 18 short story competition were presented with their prizes.

The Ravenfest 2021 under 18 short story winners

First prize went to Roxy Canning, 14 from Irvine, for Hollow Spirits, Second was Stella McIntyre aged 13 from Dalry, with Clinical Reflection and third was Adam Gilchrist aged 13, from Ardrossan with The Painting. The winners and their prizes were then invited for a spooky walk in Irvine’s Old Kirkyard where they heard some stories from the town’s haunted past.

Plans are in hand for a full three day festival in October 2022, featuring plays, music, movies and even a masked ball.

The winning short story entries will appear in next week’s Times.

Under 18’s story competition winners Stella, Roxy and Adam, right.