Avant Garde Ceremonies

16/03/2026

✨THE INTERNATIONAL GERARD ROCHFORD POETRY PRIZE 2026✨

Gerard Rochford Poetry and Mist and Mountain Creative Platform are delighted to announce the return of the international Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize this year.

And we are thrilled that it will be judged by award-winning poet Sheena Blackhall, Poet Laureate for Aberdeen and the North East.

Free to enter, poets and would-be poets are invited to submit original poems in English on the theme of ‘Journey’.

The competition opens for entry on World Poetry Day Saturday 21 March. The closing date is 30 June and the winner and two runners up will be announced on 30 September 2026.

The winner and runners up will each win a cash prize and specially commissioned ceramic bowl made by artist Lucy Carolan (Gerard’s daughter). Their poems, and the poems of the remaining finalists will be published on the Mist and Mountain website and the Gerard Rochford Poetry page.

All details and competition entry rules can be found on the Mist and Mountain website

https://mistandmountain.co.uk/gerard-rochford-poetry-prize-2026/

Spread the word - and write the words!

🌟🖊️📜🪶📝 💻 🖥️🌟

Mist Mountain Nabin K Chhetri

17/12/2025

14/12/2025

Be kind to yourself and kind to others ✨️

15/06/2025

Had thee most amazing day - Handfasting,vows and ring exchange in the most beautiful Inchcolm Abbey for Iain and Linda MacNeil 14/6/25
The rain only added to the beauty and the magic of the island and certainly didn't stop the joy of being a part of my lovely friends wedding.
With Zoe & Danny 💜

01/06/2025

While awaiting the bridal party, a wee Robin came and hung out with me in the rain 💜
Handfasting within a herb circle and a burning of Sage /Smudging Ceremony for today's couple.
Next to the beautiful Waterfall in Kelburn Castle & Estate
Despite the torrential rain, it really was a lovely ceremony. Congratulations Angie&ThomasGilmour
and Thank you both for the privilege of leading this ceremony for you. 💜⛲️🌊

16/07/2024

Today, I said farewell to a fellow scooterist.
It was an honour and a privilege to do this for his daughter,family and Scooter Family.
"Ride it like you stole it" 💜🛵

31/12/2023

Wishing all my couples and families a warm,healthy and loving 2024.
Thank you to those I was honoured to deliver ceremonies to and those who I will have the pleasure to work with in the coming year.
My Avant Garde Ceremonies are always made with love but are nothing without the love from you all.
💜🎀💝💜

21/12/2023

I have reached 200 followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

04/10/2023

This beautiful waterfall is the setting for my next Wedding Ceremony....not for another 18 months which gives me plenty of time to strengthen my vocal cords,enabling me to be heard over the crashing of the water 😆⛲️💦