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Falkirk poet Glenn’s favourite place
Glenn Merrilees has had his work published alongside celebrities such as Michael Palin and Alexander McCall Smith
A budding poet who penned a piece about one of his favourite places has won a national competition to have his work included in a book.
Glenn Merrilees (47) beat off competition from 1000 other entries to win a place in a new book ‘My Favourite Place’ with his poem about fishing in Arrochar.
His work has been published alongside 22 other winners and celebrity contributors such as Michael Palin and Alexander McCall Smith.
But for Langlees’s Glenn, the achievement is extra special as it’s the second time he has won the competition.
He said: “I’m really chuffed.
“I won the competition in 2011 when my work was published in Scottish Family Legends.
“This time, I’ve had amazing support, and am delighted to have my poem in this book which was officially launched last week in Edinburgh.
“The book is also going to be publicised at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow on December 1 and I’ll be there alongside Liz Lochhead and Aidan Moffat so it’s a huge honour.”
The competition was run by the Scottish Book Trust in partnership with BBC Radio Scotland, and aimed to develop a collection of heartfelt and inspiring stories, poems and songs by Scots about the places that mean the most to them.
Now, to celebrate the first Book Week Scotland (November 26 - December 2), over 150,000 free copies of My Favourite Place are available.
Books will be distributed in local bookshops, public libraries, the National Trust and Historic Scotland properties as well as branches of Specsavers.
Glenn, who is a volunteer with the Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH), only started writing in 2004.
He said: “I had been suffering from mental health problems and had a bad nervous breakdown a few years ago and started writing things down after that.
“As time passed, the words came out as poetry.
“I’ve also had amazing support from FDAMH as a service user and I volunteer with them now, and also I’ve been supported by my partner of 22 years, Aileen.”
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Weather for Falkirk
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
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Wind direction: North west
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
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