We've just been through our own little stretch of white water in the history of the
New Statesman competition. Maybe some will find it refreshing or consoling to take a look at the comp as it existed in an earlier time.
As you know, Bill Greenwell, one of the modern era's top winners, has been researching the comp's history, starting in 1930. He's been posting winning entries week by week, with commentary and supplementary information such as biographical notes about the judges and competitors. He has just posted his 100th weekly account. (We're now up to early 1932.)
http://nscompsandpoets.wordpress.com/blog/