A puppy called Patch: Young author’s heart-warming story beats 210 others to first place in Rotary competition - Local

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A puppy called Patch: Young author’s heart-warming story beats 210 others to first place in Rotary competition

Matthew Lightfoot (front, middle) with the other two finalists and pupils who took part. Also, Rotary's Sandra Maizels

Published on 04/02/2013 17:36

Matthew Lightfoot, from Weston Turville CofE School, has won the Rotary Club of Wendover and District’s annual short story competition.

His heart-warming tale, called Patch’s Dream, follows the adventures of a puppy called Patch on Christmas Eve.

Year 6 pupils (aged 10-11) from five primary schools which feed the John Colet Academy took part in the competition – which attracted a record 210 enteries.

John Colet pupils chose the three finalists.

Event spokesman Robert Steele said: “This year a record 210 entries were received and all the entries were read by judges from Wendover Rotary Club and the 2010 book club.

“An initial long list of 20 stories were chosen, all of which were printed in a professionally produced and illustrated books which were sold at the prize-giving to cover the cost of production.

“A shortlist of thirteen stories, compiled from the top stories from the participating schools, was then sent to a panel of student judges from John Colet School who selected the top three stories.

“All 20 authors on the longlist were awarded prizes of a certificate and dictionary, sponsored by Wendover Rotary and an Amazon token sponsored by the Harpenden Building Society – which had also sponsored the printing of the book for the first competition.

“They were also invited to take part in Rotary’s national Young Writer competition.

“The final three winners were awarded cups donated by John Colet.

“Present at the prize giving were Iola Samuels District Young Generations Chair, Prue Dixon assistant governor and Phil Bannister, area manager of sponsor Harpenden Building Society and the parents of all the prizewinners.”

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A puppy called Patch: Young author’s heart-warming story beats 210 others to first place in Rotary competition

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