August 2006 is an auspicious month for the LOCAL NEWS for SOUTHSIDERS. With the 100th edition we are launching a competition which could shape the future of the area. Readers are invited to tell us how they’d like to see their bit of the Southside look in the year 2012…(In December of 2012, the LOCAL NEWS for SOUTHSIDERS will be 200 issues old!)

You have till Friday 22 September to envisage your community in the year 2012 so polish up your crystal ball and start writing now.

HOW I SEE THE SOUTHSIDE IN 2012 is the title of the competition. You can describe what you’d like to see happen to the street where you live or the area where you work or the whole of the Southside if you want. In no more than 250 words, tell us what changes, improvements or developments you’d like to SEE in YOUR community in six years’ time. If a week is a long time in politics, what will six years bring in the life of your locality?

Your vision must be sent by email to localnews@btconnect.com. If you’ve never sent an email before, don’t worry! Simply drop into your nearest library and ask the staff in the Real centre to help you. They are waiting to show you the magic of the electronic medium which is part and parcel of everyday life now.

Only entries sent by email will be considered for the prize of £200 cash. You have till the startof the working day on Friday 22 September 2006 to deliver your vision of your community in the year 2012 to us, so polish up your crystal ball and start writing now.

Entries must be in English. Contestants can be of any age. The winner will be presented with their prize at an awards ceremony in November and will be the subject of photographs and publicity. All entries will be considered for publication in the LOCAL NEWS and other media outlets.

Remember to put your name, full postal address and contact phone number on your work. The ideas and visions will be shared with the people who can influence the changes described.