The Royal Mint Museum has announced the winners of its annual short-story competition which invited primary school children across Britain to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.
More than 550 young people aged between 9 -11 took part in the creative writing task which celebrated Her Majesty’s 70-year reign, as part of a year-long programme of events marking this momentous occasion.
In a special online event, guest judge and children’s author and illustrator Alex T. Smith read out the winning story and praised the hundreds of entries which focussed on the Platinum Jubilee through the eyes of young boys and girls. This sentiment was echoed by fellow judges and the story’s illustrator Sarah Edmonds.
The award-winning authors handed the top prize to 10-year-old Joshua Boholst from St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Surrey for his story ‘Spyder’. Four runner-up prizes of Platinum Jubilee commemorative coins and a set of books were awarded to Emily from Hamilton College, Motherwell; Yuraj from Hendon Prep, London; Isobel from Wells Primary, Essex and Harriet Hodges from Baden-Powell & St Peter’s Church of England Junior School, Dorset.
Special commendation prizes of brilliant uncirculated coins were awarded to Alice Patterson, Parkview Primary School, Derby; Isabelle Cooke, Preston Candover Primary School, Basingstoke; Ffion Fearne a home-school pupil from Staffordshire; Abigail De Los Rios, Danegrove School, Enfield; and Amelia Blythe, St Margaret’s School for Girls, Aberdeen.
Guest judge and illustrator of the winning story Sarah Edmonds said: “Joshua is a very talented young writer and it was a privilege to illustrate his funny, warm and unique story. As soon as I read it I could picture all the little details of Spyder’s world – the chandelier, the brave journey down to the crown and the Jubilee party! This competition was a great spark for children’s creativity and Joshua’s story is a credit to him and his school. What will Spyder get up to next?!”
Dr Kevin Clancy, Director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: “As one of the most important museums dedicated to telling the story of Britain’s money, we are thrilled to engage with hundreds of children to capture a contemporary twist on an historical occasion. We are grateful to all the children and schools for their enthusiasm and delighted to share the winning stories, alongside illustrations from artist Sarah Edmonds, for all to enjoy.”
Joshua’s work will be published with illustrations by Sarah Edmonds on the Royal Mint Museum website along with the runner up and highly commended prize-winning submissions.
