Dressed in the familiar Northumbrian shepherd’s plaid, which he inherited from his father, the 81-year-old, from Hexham, won four categories at the annual festival for his writing work, and was highly commended in two others.
The bard, who hasn’t missed a Morpeth Gathering for the best part of 20 years, impressed judges with his writing style, based on Northumbrian dialect.
He won the Northumbrian Prose Trophy for his piece titled Thi Theival, and the M.N.G Lowford Cup for his local history story, based on Hexham’s bandstand at the Sele.
The M.N.G.C. Ashington Arts Festival Cup followed, after judges read Mr Short’s essay, titled Glenters.
Nick, who also won the English Verse Trophy for his Bird Watch piece, was highly commended for his open dialect verse White Kielder, and a short story about where he seeks his inspiration.
“This is the first time I’ve won four trophies,” he said.
“But I’ve only got three because one of them hasn’t been returned from last year’s winner.
“I’m over the moon, but I would like to see more people pick up a pen and have a go.”
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