As a result of this, Mr E was given a cheque for everything owed.
Every October, we all got together in the Guildhall and gave a cheque to the novelist of the year.
You would be subjected to a compulsory purchase order and given a cheque often insufficient to buy a replacement.
"I gave a cheque for £100,000 and they spent £113,000 or £114,000 on advertising," Desmond crowed later.
At the beginning of the year, I was given a cheque for £50 and told to spend it on books.
Don't get me wrong – I don't feel that sorry for a fellow who's just been given a cheque for £25,000.
Shetland-based Jen Hadfield was given a cheque for £15,000 but she will doubtless be just as grateful for the sales and profile boost that winning the prize will bring about.
"Every time I eat organic chocolate a little voice in my head says: Just let me give a cheque to the co-operative, but please don't make me eat this!" Chloé Doutre-Roussel, the chocolate buyer and consultant, wrote in her book "The Chocolate Connoisseur".
Brewing company Heineken, who own Hereford cider-makers Bulmers, also gave a cheque for £10,000.
"I gave a cheque to a charity called Walou4us, which helps street kids in North Africa, and cash to my family in Morocco to spread about to those who needed it most, because those people would be more likely to accept it from them". Sbihi will continue his quest for an Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro next summer, which means another decision has to be made.
In addition, along with the blank questionnaire package at each 6-month data collection point, including at baseline, and regardless of how many family members participate, families are given a cheque for $40 as a token of appreciation.
