One of DSU’s many societies recently took part in its first ever Varsity event.
One of De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU)’s many societies recently took part in its first ever Varsity event.
Members of the Creative Writing Society took on their University of Leicester (UoL) counterparts at the Exchange bar, in the city centre, in an event that featured both prose and poetry and was judged by writer and former DMU lecturer Jonathan Taylor alongside ‘slam-poet’ Jess Green.
With it being the first Varsity event between the societies, Claire McGowan, society chair, admitted that there were a few nerves from those taking part and from those that had organised it.
She said: “We were very nervous. We weren’t sure how it was going to turn out, but actually, a lot of people came, which was really good.
“There were a couple of nervous performers; I was because I was second on [stage] and it’s quite daunting in front of Jonathan and Jess, but I think once people got up and did it they were fine.
“For a lot of UoL people it was the first time they’d performed as well so it was nice to see people giving it a go.”
As part of the wider Leicester writing community, the two sides supported each other throughout, said Claire, in a contest that ultimately saw UoL edge a closely-fought affair.
“It was really nice and everyone was supporting each other. Obviously it’s a Varsity event but it’s slightly different. We weren’t trying to psyche each other out.
“Everyone did really well and filled their time up. Both the winners from the prose and poetry sections were Leicester winners, but as Jonathan put it, he wanted to call it a draw.
“The judges said it was very close in the end.”
On the evening, both judges also performed some of their own work. You can listen to a podcast of the full event here.
To find out more about how you can get involved with societies at DSU, click here.