Thanks kindly maryrrf, Ian B, Nigel Parsons, WYSIWYG, Kernow John and C-flat.
Yes it is really encouraging and makes me feel that maybe it is worth writing. Its a real boost to the confidence and I am gobsmacked and honoured!
Perhaps congratulations should also go to Duncan McFarlane of Leeds, W. Yorks, who came second in the trad song with 'Bed of Straw' and third in the contemporary song with 'Not PC', To Diana Franklin of Somerset, who came third in the Traditional section with 'Rise the Lark, to Brett Huckfield of Oldbury West Midlands, who came FIRST in the contemporary song with'Watching the Waters' and Robert Spiers from Maidstone in Kent who came second in the contemporary section with 'Time in Colour'
I do not know if any of these people are catters, but do give them a pat on the back if you know them.

Kernow John, yes, you did meet me at Dartmoor Day of Folk, I did actually sing the winning song there - one of its first airings - at the sing around in the morning. As one of the newest members of the Cornwall songwriters, I have done very little with them, having become a part of them post Cry of Tin. This sort of makes up for having to sit back and look like a hanger on!
Anybody, incidentally who thinks that they cannot write songs, so did I, I started writing poetry as a child, but was never able to put music to ot. I wrote my first song in 1999, so am fairly new to it. Go on, give it a go!
Cheers,
Lucy