Pen a South Downs story for chance to win prize!
June 9, 2021
Calling all budding wordsmiths!
This year the South Downs National Park Authority are hosting a story writing competition for children and teenagers, in partnership with MADhurst Festival 2021.
All we ask is your stories are up to a maximum of 500 words and based on an aspect of the National Park that inspires you.
Whether it’s a spooky story set at the Cowdray Ruins or a swashbuckling adventure at the Seven Sisters, we encourage all children and teenagers to get involved and get creative.
A £35 book token will be awarded to the winner, runner-up will receive a £20 book token, and third place will receive a £10 book token in each age category. Their stories will be recorded and published on our website.
There are three age categories: 5-9 years; 10-13 years and 14-18 years.
The deadline for entries is 30 June 2021 and the winners will be announced at the MADhurst Unplugged Music event on Sunday 1 August.
Zara Kelleway, who is helping to organise the competition, said: “The South Downs has inspired many a wordsmith, from Rudyard Kipling to Virginia Woolf.
“The haunting beauty of the landscape and its fascinating wildlife and history really do stir the imagination.
“We know so many young people love the South Downs National Park and many more have developed a connection with nature over this past year, so we thought it was the perfect time to put pen to paper! We look forward to reading the range of stories about this treasured landscape. We are delighted to announce that Hugh Bonneville will be reading the three winning short stories and these recordings will be available on our website.”
To download an entry form visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/short-story-competition-2021/
Image: ZigZag II by Pablo Rodriguez Taken at Swanborough Hill near Lewes