Leeds Castle launches Big 900 Story Writing Challange
Do you know a youngster with superb storytelling and writing skills?
To mark its 900th birthday, Leeds Castle has launched a prestigious competition just for children.
Leeds Castle's Big 900 Story Writing Challenge is open for entries now.
Based loosely around the themes of castles and time travel, budding young authors are being encouraged to put pen to paper and write a fictional story of no more than 900 words that will capture the imaginations of the judges
And among those judges is renowned broadcaster and author Clare Balding who will cast her vote alongside Leeds Castle chief executive Sir David Steel and head of education Helen Ellis.
The competition has two age groups - children aged five to nine and those between 10 and 13.
Young writers have until noon on March 5, 2019 to submit their entries online.
Entries will initially be shortlisted by the Castle’s education department before the official winners are selected by honorary judge Clare Balding and the Castle’s in-house judging panel.
Creativity, plot, description and imagination will all be taken into account when determining the winners.
Ten finalists from each age category, along with their families, will be invited to a special Awards Day at Leeds Castle on May 30 next year when the winners will be announced by Clare Balding. The two lucky winners will win a hamper of fun prizes which includes a stay at Knight’s Glamping for two adults and two children, a private tour of the Castle and family tickets to the Fireworks Spectacular 2019.
The winning stories will be placed within a time capsule and buried in front of the Castle, only to be opened 100-years from now at the Castle’s millennium.
The winning writers will be invited to take part in that ‘time capsule’ ceremony on June 25 with HRH Princess Alexandra (patron of Leeds Castle).
Smaller prizes will be awarded to all the runners-up of the competition.
For further details about the competition including terms and conditions and how to submit a child's entry visit www.leeds-castle.com/Education
