All young writers who entered the A Town Explores A Book 2024 Creative Writing Competition are commended for their imaginative writing themed on trains. Our sparkling award event on 7th May 2024 was a chance to congratulate highly commended entries and runners up and to thank teachers and parents who have supported children to take part and of course to celebrate the winners:

Winners in the age 5-7 years category: Agnes from Ashmole Primary School, Charlie from Christ Church C E Primary Academy, Dolly from Claremont Prep School, Caspar from Dudley Infant Academy, Beatrice from Little Common School, Milo from Netherfield Primary School, Imogen from Robsack Wood Primary Academy, Nina from St Pauls C E Primary Academy and Lorelei from St Leonards C E Primary Academy.

Winners in the age 8-11 years category: Catriona from Ashmole Primary School, Finn from All Saints C E Junior Academy, Evie-Jane from Churchwood Primary Academy, Gracie from Robsack Wood Primary Academy, Esmée from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Arthur from St Pauls C E Primary Academy and Naya from Vauxhall Primary School.

Caspar, Lorelei and Catrina were selected as overall winners, prizes kindly sponsored by the Bright Foundation and ExploreTheArch.

Winners in the age 11-14 years category: Isla from Claverham Community College was selected the overall winner of the 11-14 years category, her prize sponsored by Hastings Independent Press who additionally awarded two encouragement awards for an ‘exciting choice of words’ to Gracie from Robsack Wood Primary Academy and Nancy of All Saints C E Junior Academy.

The children who attended the award event at ExploreTheArch’s HQ, Archer Lodge, were congratulated on being leaders by representing their schools in such an inspirational way. Lively conversations with festival partners accompanied enthusiastic choosing of prizes from two bookshops who relocated to Archer Lodge for the afternoon to aid the awards: The Bookkeeper Bookshop, the secondhand book shop in Kings Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, and Printed Matter Hastings in Queens Road, Hastings.

Shortlisted entrants and winners in south London schools received their award in school assemblies. Special congratulations to them; the participation of the Wyvern Federation primary schools is hugely valued.

The A Town Explores A Book team join up reading, writing, art and fun and connect to heritage. Look out for the plans for 2025.