Competitions with Alice Worsley

Please scroll down to view our recent winners.

Current competitions...

None at the moment.

Recent Competitions

SUSAN BRABEAU'S PUZZLES

Take a memorable journey with the latest Susan Brabeau 1000 piece puzzles from Holdson. Complete the country store, travel down cobble lanes and see the flower sellers.

With an uncanny talent for capturing people, Susan Brabeau allows you to eavesdrop on simple, delightful scenes.

I have a number of Susan Brabeau’s puzzles to giveaway.

COMPETITION: Congratulations to J. McNab, J. Woolley, W. Thomson, B. George, J. Ercg, K. Clark, R. Bolton, M. Preston, J. Maginness, F. Anderson, R. Carter, and C. Story.












MiNDFOOD MAGAZINE

If you are looking for a magazine that is not full of celebrity tittle tattle and is stimulating, with articles that are just the right length, then welcome to MiNDFOOD. Now onto its fifth issue it has become a firm favourite of mine and so has the website www.mindfood.com.

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Alan Hardy (Ngaruawahia), Dorothy Brown (Christchurch), Cecille Carter (Lower Hutt), Sandra Tomlinson (Taupo), and Stella caddy (Paeroa).


HOMEGROWN 2: LIVE OFF YOUR LAND FOR LESS

NZ Gardener’s new special collector’s edition, Homegrown 2: Live Off Your Land For Less, is packed with money-saving tips for growing, bottling, brewing and baking fresh food from your garden.

Homegrown 2 goes into your vege patch and beyond in search of ways to save on your shopping bills and live more sustainably in the process. “Follow our advice and you could save up to $50 a week, without scrimping on flavour,” says Hallinan.

COMPETITION: The lucky winners are: Rosie Orr (Hastings), Linda Hammond (Bulls), James O'Brien (Torbay), Lisa England (Glen Eden), and Jan Lamb (Invercargill)



GRAY BARTLETT COMPETITION

Gray Bartlett has been picking his way to success for 50 years with 30 albums, 20 singles and two million album sales. He is the 16th most successful entertainer in New Zealand history according to The Complete NZ Music Charts 1966-2006 and is, ironically, just two spots behind Hayley Westenra – the international popera phenomenon he helped create.
Read more in Alice's Column.

I have 5 Copies of Gray Bartlett's 50th Anniversary to give away.
It has all his best songs on it including Apache, Cavatina, Fields of Gold and Freight Train.

COMPETITION: Congratulations go to Joy Richardson (Waiuku), Pamela Butler (Christchurch), Glenn Cheetham (Ouruhia), Henny Ashford (Upper Hutt), and Mark Drag (Hibiscus Coast).



ROBYN SCOTT COMPETITION

Funny and unsentimental, Twenty Chickens for a Saddle is an account of a remarkable childhood in which dissecting a snake was the closest Robyn and her brother and sister came to a biology lesson, and children from the cattle posts were their only classmates. It also offers a unique portrait of modern Botswana, one of Africa’s rare democratic success stories, against the backdrop of one of the continent’s worst AIDS crises. The book remains throughout an uplifting, engaging and deeply affectionate portrayal of an extraordinary place and family.

COMPETITION: Congratulations Brenda McGuire from Wellington, and Carol Brown from Ngaruawahia.



CINDERELLA ON ICE

STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON
AUCKLAND – ASB THEATRE, THE EDGE®
FROM 11 JULY – 13 SHOWS ONLY!

WELLINGTON – ST JAMES THEATRE
FROM 23 JULY – 8 SHOWS ONLY!

The world-famous Imperial Ice Stars, who have won international critical acclaim with their previous tours of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice and Swan Lake on Ice, are set to thrill once more with their brand new production, Cinderella on Ice.

More than two million people across five continents, from London to Auckland and Toronto to Cape Town, have been swept to their feet by The Imperial Ice Stars’ adrenaline-infused performances.

New Zealand audiences will be the first in the world to see this dazzling display of skating brilliance from 23 Olympic, World, National and European Championship skaters. The Imperial Ice Stars are renowned for their unique brand of innovative skating and story-telling, as they continue to break new ground in the genre of ice dancing with daring feats never seen before – and all performed in the intimacy of a frozen theatre stage.

Cinderella on Ice has been conceived and choreographed by Tony Mercer, widely regarded as the world’s leading creator of theatre on ice, together with Evgeny Platov, dual Olympic gold medalist and four time World Champion, and Alexander Zhulin, Olympic silver and bronze medalist and World Champion.

The production boasts special effects rivaling Cirque du Soleil, including fire and rain; lavish sets depicting Siberian snowscapes and gypsy carnivals from one of Australia’s top scenic designers; and glorious costumes from Albina Gabueva, head designer at Moscow’s famed Stanislavsky Theatre.

In this retelling of the traditional story, Cinderella is a prima ballerina whose dancing captivates the Mayor’s son.

Despite rival attempts by her stepsisters to steal his heart, the kindly Watchmakers and Gypsy Fortuneteller ensure that true love triumphs.

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Stephanie Katte and Jean Goddard of Auckland, Jeni Platt of Porirua, and Sue Burgess of Wellington.

Paddy The Wanderer (Extended Edition)

The endearing true story of an Airedale terrier who captured the public imagination throughout New Zealand during the Great Depression, Paddy the Wanderer was published in 2007 and became an instant number one bestseller.

Paddy the Wanderer Extended Edition is as informative as it is emotionally rich and reveals the warmth and positive magic nestled in some harsh and conflicting times of New Zealand history. – Shelley Seay, Museum of Wellington City & Sea

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Merle Hudson (Foxton Beach) and Sheree Sharp (Fairfield, Dunedin).



Shrapnel & Semaphore
Anzac Day has become a very special day in the hearts and minds of Kiwis both young and old. Shrapnel & Semaphore is a powerful book, reaching out even after all these years to remind us not only of the human cost to those who served at Gallipoli, but also of their humanity and spirit.

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Jackie Torrie (North Canterbury) and Trevor Bunyan (Papakura, Auckland).

Win a copy of Is She Still Alive?

Tessa began to write ‘Is She Still Alive?’ her first collection of short stories for adults in 2003 while living for six months in Menton, France.

It had become apparent to Tessa that long-familiar stories about some of the older women in her family, plus close observation of her own peer group now in their sixties, could provide “triggers” for some fascinating short fiction, and that these thematically linked stories might form a satisfying collection.

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Sylvia Worthington of Napier and Jennifer Brown of Glenfield, who won copies of Tessa's new book.


WIN 2 GREAT DVD SETS

Blue Murder (Series 3) with Caroline Quentin, and Roy Marsden as Inspector Adam Dalgliesh in The PD James Collection (3 DVD set).

COMPETITION: Congratulations to Tanya Downey (Tarakani).



Geoff Sewell
The lovable star of opera band AMICI FOREVER - has made New Zealand history by going gold in the first week of his solo album Believe being released without the huge backing of a major record label.

I have some copies of Geoff Sewell's beautiful album to give away.

COMPETITION:
Congratulations to Dorothy Harvey (Takapuna), Liz Finnie (Lower Hutt), Michelle Foxx (Paraparaumu) and Kathy Benson (Napier).


NZ House and Gardening Gatherings
Overflowing with inspiring and easy ideas to transform any occasion with food, friends and fun, NZ House & Garden’s Gatherings will make every get together what it should be – extra special.

A must have for the shelves of amateur and keen entertainers alike, and the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, NZ House & Garden Gatherings is available from April 7 in supermarkets and booksellers. It has a RRP of $14.90.

COMPETITION:
Congratulations to the winners of this competition: Ruth James (Wellington), Jean Britt (Christchurch), Carol Watson (Nelson), Anne Kerslake (Auckland), and Rae Magson (Ashburton).

Common Ground Book Competition
Two very different women who garden two very different properties meet at a school reunion after nearly 40 years. Their passion for gardening and writing, and the realization that they are both dealing with unexpected deaths, rekindles their friendship and they begin writing to each other.

Common Ground is about the common ground these friends share in the joy of growing plants, and it’s about difference, the difference between city and country, between the shepherd and the educationalist/writer, the difference in pace of life, one dictated by cows and sheep, the other by key performance indicators and time sheets.

Poignant and beautifully written, Common Ground has the makings of a classic in the canon of writing about gardening and about lives lived thoughtfully with a sharp edge of humour.

COMPETITION:
Congratulations to Gayleen Smith from Invercargill.

Chandler's Run Book Competition
Now here's a book lots of you will want to read. Well written, captivating from the first page, it's a story set in New Zealand. Something we as Kiwis want to see more and more of.

CHANDLER'S RUN
By DENISE MUIR

Whakatane-based, Denise Muir, a lively grandmother in her late seventies, felt that the stories her friends and she enjoyed were no longer being written so she decided to write her own novel set in the South Island Mountains she loves to paint.

The result, Chandler’s Run, is a magnificent debut novel and a worthy addition to the very popular local historical-fiction genre.

In this beautifully descriptive story, first-time novelist Denise Muir superbly captures the essence of life of pioneers, effortlessly layering historical detail over emotional depth.


COMPETITION
Congratulations to the winners of this competition: Nalda Williams from Cromwell, and C. Smith from Waitakere City.



My Left Foot DVD Competition.

It's hard to believe that it's coming up 20 years since the movie My Left Foot came out. Picking up several Oscars for best actor (Daniel Day Lewis) and best supporting actress (Brenda Fricker) the film told the real life story of Christy Brown. Christy was born with cerebral palsy. The only limb that he was able to control on his body was indeed his left foot. Using it, he learned to write and paint.

His mother believed in him at a time when prejudices towards disabilities were rife and most people regarded him as a vegetable

Brilliantly acted by Daniel Day Lewis ,who insisted in staying in a wheelchair between takes, and Brenda Fricker who played his mother Mrs Brown, this film is a must see whether it be for the first or second time.

It is a film about life, laughter and the occasional miracle.

Congratulations to Jean Britt from Christchurch on winning this DVD.

The Big Picture - History of New Zealand Art:
Recently on TV1 there was a documentary series on the history of New Zealand Art called The Big Picture. Presented by Hamish Keith, it was widely acclaimed. The only problem was it was put on late at night and most of us missed it!!!! Well now you have the chance through Grownups to see the series in its entirety.

The winners of the Big Picture Competition are Meredith Kelly from Wellington and Margot Stuart from Titahi Bay.

The Kite Runner (book).
I have a couple of copies for you to win.

The winners of the Kite Runner competition are C Hepper of Te Aroha, and Linda Hammond from Bulls.

Here's a little bit about the book and the author.

Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting tournament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him; for he always helps Amir; but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

About Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini was born in Afghanistan and his family received political asylum in the USA in 1980. He is a doctor and lives in California. The Kite Runner is his first novel. A Thousand Splendid Suns was released to wide world acclaim in June 2006.

The Kite Runner is available in all good bookstores now and is priced at $27.99


k.d. lang

k.d. lang's new album, Watershed, was released on recently. Recorded in California, Watershed is the first album of newly written material from the four-time GRAMMY® winner since 2000’s Invincible Summer and her first studio album since 2004's acclaimed Canadian songbook, Hymns Of The 49th Parallel. A fourteen-city US tour began February 23 and includes a rare three-night stand at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room as part of the American Songbook series.
As the title suggests, Watershed represents a milestone in k.d. lang’s groundbreaking 25-year career. For the first time she has assumed the role of producer – as well as writer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist -- for this album of eleven new songs.

Watershed marks a turning point for lang as a producer, band leader and self-assured songwriter. For all those who listen, it will simply be the fulfillment of a promise made long ago, at that unforgettable moment when we first heard her sing.

The winners of the k.d. Lang CDs are Rob & Vic from Kaiapoi, and John Walkden from Bucklands Beach.

It's a fantastic album. If you are a fan you will not be disapponted.

MARATHON WOMAN
RUNNING THE RACE TO REVOLUTIONIZE WOMEN'S SPORTS
Kathrine Switzer

Release Date: February 2008 | RRP: $39.99 HB | published by HarperCollins Publishers

COMPETITION.
If you would like to be in with a chance to win a copy of this book email Alice and tell her what year Kathrine ran the Boston Marathon and paved the way for women runners.

The winner of the Marathon Woman competition is Claire Walkinshaw from Invercargill.


THE JOURNAL OF DORA DAMAGE
By Belinda Starling
RRP $37.99

This is the kind of book you will keep thinking about ages after you have read it. Doris Mousdale from Dymocks found this book riveting from the very first page. And it has a sad story behind it. The author, Belinda Starling, who lived with her husband and children in Wivenhoe, Essex never got to see her very first book on display in a bookstore as she died in August 2006, just seven weeks after finishing this book. She was just 34.

The Journal of Dora Damage takes us to 1859, to the dirty streets of Lambeth and through the door of Damages Bookbinders. As her husband, Peter, becomes increasingly debilitated by arthritis, business dwindles and the debts mount. Desperate to save her family from destitution Dora Damage throws herself into the business. Daughter of a book binder, she has spent a lifetime absorbing the intricacies of the trade. With Peter’s guidance and a refined feminine delicacy, she manages to create quite distinctive books. The originality of the design and the added bonus that the books are made by the fairer sex attracts the attention of a wealthy aristocrat and Dora becomes entwined in the illegal production of expensive volumes of pornography.

In choosing pornography over the poorhouse Dora finds herself entangled in a web of sex, money, deceit and the law. Now the very family she fought so hard for is under threat from a host of new, more dangerous foes.

Belinda Starling’s debut novel is a startling vision of Victorian London, juxtaposing its filth and poverty with its affluence. In Dora Damage we meet a daring young heroine, struggling in a very modern way against the constraints of the day, and whose resourcefulness and bravery have us rooting for her all the way.
And what have some of the critics said?
‘Starling skillfully conjures up a dank, deviant London… Her hustling energetic book is a worthy addition to the ranks of historical fiction.’ -The Guardian

‘…a richly atmospheric story that is fresh, complex and credible; it is an accomplished work.’ -LA Times

Available in bookstores from Feb 1st. The winner of the Dora Damage competition is John Witt from Kapiti Coast.

PAUL POTTS' FANS...do you have a treat in store next year!!

I know lots of you have already booked to catch Paul Pott's tour of New Zealand in April next year. Now there's an added bonus as a new singing talent, Elizabeth Marvelly, has been signed to appear with him. The buzz is she is outstanding. She has just released her debut album "Elizabeth Marvelly". Only three New Zealanders have international recording contracts with EMI Classics in the last ten years, Elizabeth being the third and most recent.

The talented "popera" singer was handpicked and moulded by several of New Zealand's most talented performers, including Gray Bartlett MBE whose stable of discoveries include Hayley Westenra, Yulia and Will Martin.

Elizabeth, who is 18years old and comes from Rotorua, is the niece of Sir Howard Morrison and has been mentored by him and Dame Malvina Major.

She is definitely a rising star both here and internationally.

She appears with Paul Potts : April 6 CHCH Town Hall
April 8 Wellington MFC
April 11 Rotorua Events Centre
April 13 Auckland ASB Theatre
Bookings: Ticketek

HOMEGROWN WINNERS

You all know by now that I am a big fan of Lynda Hallinan and NZ Gardener magazine. Lynda has been over the past year or so living off her suburban plot of land in Auckland and has managed beautifully. HOMEGROWN is the story of how she did it. It also includes lots of gardening tips and delicious recipes.
I loved this book and I am sure you will too. It's a great gift for people new to gardening as you can't help but be enthused after reading this.


Congratulations to the following winners:

Rae Magson, Ashburton.
Patty Hapeta, Levin.
Dawn Hewer, Darfield.
Barabara Hall, Massey.
Graeme Wison, Havelock North.

CUISINE magazine winner.

Each issue of Cuisine has an eye-catching cover and this issue is no exception.

The latest issue of Cuisine tickles our Christmas taste buds with a bounty of ideas to inspire and excite for the imminent festive season.

The Cuisine team covers all the bases with modern takes on traditional favourites, party platters for entertaining, casual lunch ideas and recipes for a gourmet banquet - all wrapped up with the top ten Champagnes and sparkling wines to toast the occasion.

Congratulations to Vicki Ahipene, our lucky winner this month!

What’s the best Handy Hint you have ever used around your home? The winner will receive a set of Shannon Lush’s best selling books “Spotless”, “Speedcleaning” and “How to be Comfy”. Congratulations to Lindsay Murray.

I have just interviewed Shannon on my show on Radio Pacific and am astounded by her knowledge of stain removal.

WINNERS OF THE NZ GARDENER MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

We're very pleased to present the winners of the Gardening competition with a year's subscription of the NZ Gardener Magazine.



Jenny Hayman of Timaru. "The Crocuses were particularly beautiful this year & as most of my garden has a shingly top to it the plants grow very well."








Jean Simmonds of Waikanae. "There were over 20 Tuis in the Kowhai trees in my garden at Waikanae."











Anna White from Awhitu Peninsula. "I thought I would send you a photo of my garden, overlooking the Manukau Harbour and Cornwallis Peninsula, on this magnificane tSpring morning. Our is a native shrub and tree garden. The Rata (red flowering shrubs
in border) are on show at the moment - always a brief display but stunning while it lasts."

LAST WEEK'S BOOK COMPETITION: KATHY REICHS' LATEST BOOK

One of the perks of being a radio announcer over the years has been to interview people from all walks of life. Authors of all kinds of books have been particularly interesting. Names such as Jeffrey Archer, Wilbur Smith, Dick Francis, P.D.James are just a few I have had the pleasure of talking to.

Recently I was asked to host an evening with crime writer Kathy Reichs who is a forensic anthropologist by trade. A few years back she decided to write about what she knew so well and embarked on her career of international best selling crime fiction.
She was in the country to promote her latest book Bones to Ashes.

She is a fascinating person to talk to and has solved many cases all through looking at the bones. Once she was given a set of rather large bones to work on and began to assume it must have been a very big man. It was, she discovered after re reading the notes, which were in French, the bones of a MOOSE!!!

Coming up in the not too distant future, when permission has been signed off, Kathy and a panel of experts will look at the remains of famous escapologist Harry Houdini. They hope to determine the actual cause of death, as no one at the time was completely certain. One thought was that he died from peritonitis after being punched in the stomach. I can’t wait to read the book on that event.

If you like a good story, wrapped in knowledge of the trade then you must give Kathy Reichs book a try. Her writing just gets better with every new book.
Bones to Ashes is available in all good book stores now.

Competition Winners...congratulations!

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