Time travel, the memories of a lifetime spent in Colchester and the struggles of a soldier during World War I, were the winning top three entries in our Writing Competition.
We’re thrilled with the results of our History Writing Competition. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who entered or got involved. This was Sally Anderson-Wai of Write Wai PR & Copywriting Services’ 4th competition, which we ran jointly this year with Andrew Summers of Essex Hundred Publications.
11 to 18-year-olds from across North Colchester and Essex submitted their entries with a local history theme in a bid to win some fantastic prizes, which were sponsored by Write Wai PR & Copywriting Services, Essex Hundred Publications, the Gazette, Colchester Castle and Wivenhoe Bookshop.
Sally said: “I have organised a writing competition for teenagers for four years now because I want to encourage young people to improve their writing skills, to be creative and to enjoy history at a time when standards of English seem to be dropping due to the digital era we live in.”
Andrew Summers said: “I’m delighted to have played a part in organising this competition and hope our winners will have renewed their interest in local history.”
The Gazette’s Head of Content Dom Bowers presented first place prize winner Sophie Holgate, 14, with a digital camera provided by Write Wai and Essex Hundred Publications. Andrew Summers also gave her £100 worth of books for her school, Philip Morant.
An independent judge, Margaret Barrowman formerly Chair of Governors of Broomgrove Primary School in Wivenhoe, who is a former headmistress and an Ofsted inspector, determined that Sophie’s entry as the outright winner because it was creative, it contains local history and is well-written.
Westcliff Grammar School for Boys pupil, Luke Burridge, 13, of Rowhedge, was presented with the second prize, an annual pass from Colchester Castle for two people (including a guided tour of the castle and a guide book) and Sue Finn of Wivenhoe Bookshop presented a voucher for £50 to be spent in her shop to Oscar Gould, 13, also of Philip Morant.
After the awards were presented, Mr Bowers gave the three winners and their relatives a guided tour of the Gazette Offices and the winners will have their entries published in the Gazette.
The Gazette and Write Wai are planning to run a 5th writing competition this year and are looking for sponsors. Email sally@writewai.com if you are interested.
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