Rita’s Short Story

Rita Miller, one of our residents at The Manor House Whickham, is an award-winning author and has penned a short Halloween story exclusively for the Home’s newsletter.

Rita, who says she is ‘too old to tell’, started writing at school and was a prominent member of Newcastle Writers’ Club through the 1960’s and 70’s, four times winning the Catherine Cookson Cup presented to the member who submitted the best short story.

She has had short stories published in well-known magazines and newspapers including Sunday Post, Sunday Express,  Chat, Woman’s World and Woman’s Own.

Rita worked for the BBC and interviewed many of the North East stars, including Mike Neville for the local Evening Chronicle newspaper. She had many other contributions published in the newspaper and has never lost her love for writing.

Rita has enjoyed a fantastic life and  started entering consumer competitions in the 1980’s winning, among other things, a round the world cruise, fridge freezer, washing machine, camera, bike and even a red Mini Cooper!  She also won £2,000 for writing a slogan for Wisdom toothbrushes.

Jordan Bates, lifestyle co-ordinator at The Manor House, Whickham said: “We absolutely love hearing about the lives of our residents and Rita’s has certainly  been colourful and exciting.

“We were delighted to publish her short story in our newsletter and to support Rita in continuing to do one of the things she loves doing most – writing.”