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Read about our most recent news, activities and wonderings on our blog below…

What would a park bench say if it could talk?, by Heather Pitchford (age 8) In my life many people have come and sat on me, Unfortunately I can’t talk, But if I could I would say: “Go on, go on,” I would say to a nervous lover about to propose, “Just ask her, ask her!”Continue reading “Young Writers competition 2016”

With a theme of ‘Midwinter’, we offer this range of new writing. Aurora Borealis, by Ásdís Ingólfsdóttir The blue lights from the ambulance light up the dark winter night as it rushes through the empty streets. The young couple inside look terrified. What they have been so excited about and awaiting for the last nine months,Continue reading “Words from a bench February 2016”

We had a bumper crop of offerings for the Spring 2015 edition, with a theme of ‘Birds’. A small selection below… Cockatoos, by Carole Bromley Dusk and the bovver boys are back, in twos and threes at first, or maybe just one with his Mohican raised, grabbing the tallest snow gum and screaming come on then,Continue reading “Words from a bench 2015”

What would a park bench say if it could talk?, by Heather Pitchford In my life many people have come and sat on me, Unfortunately I can’t talk, But if I could I would say: “Go on, go on,” I would say to a nervous lover about to propose, “Just ask her, ask her!” “Don’t worry,Continue reading “Young Writers competition 2015”

Submissions for Words from a bench for the winter competition were on the theme of ‘Crossed paths’. The best seven entries are available to read below. Submissions for Words from a bench for the winter competition were on the theme of ‘Crossed paths’. The best seven entries are available to read below. Although we typically encourage pieces about theContinue reading “Words from a Bench Winter 2014”

Our new poems and prose are on the theme ‘Midsummer’ and come from authors based in both York and Rejkyavik. Here are some of the highlights of the selection: Forgetting to remember, by Chris Brunt It’s important to bring a sandwich with you. A nice mug of tea wouldn’t go amiss either, though it never staysContinue reading “Words from a bench August 2014”

The original idea for ‘Words from a Bench’ came from Iceland, a country with an intense interest and love for literature. In the capital, Reykjavik, a literary trail takes in local landmarks and offers poems through QR codes on city benches (and they love their parks too). We thought this was a great idea, and so our own writing projectContinue reading “Words from a bench April 2014”

Dial S for Sunshine, by Adrian P Fayter January isn’t exactly the greatest time of year for those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.  But one good thing about my job is being able to leave the office while there’s still a bit of lacklustre daylight on offer, and, assuming I can cut myContinue reading “Words from the bench February 2014”

My spot by Adrian Paul Fayter Early-autumn afternoons are the best times here.  This warm, copper-coloured sunshine comes straight through the gap in the beech trees and lights up my spot like a halo; then it spreads along the path as the sun moves down to the west.  Warm on your face, warming your heart.  GoodContinue reading “Words from the bench 2013”