Awards for poetry written in commemoration of World War One

Winners with Councillor Alan McCarthy after receiving their awards

Fourteen children have been awarded prizes for poetry they have written in commemoration of World War One.

Councillor McCarthy, Lead Member for the Armed Forces, at Rochdale Council, who presented the prizes, said: “It was a privilege to attend the WW1 poetry competition and to present the awards.

“The youth of our borough were inspirational and I thank all who took part.”

Competition winners:

Category one – school years one and two: 

• First prize: Jack Massey
• Second prize: James Murphy
• Third prize: Hannah Jones

Category two – school years three to six: 

• First prize: John O’Brien
• Second prize: Mollie Hadfield
• Third prize: Anna Rushton
• Highly commended: Macy Emberton and Ethan Dewhurst

Category three – school years seven to nine: 

• First prize: Aaliyah Khan
• Second prize: Mahima Islam
• Third prize: Luke Sidebottom

Category four – school years ten to thirteen: 

• First prize: Zahra Arshad
• Second prize: Taslina Khatun
• Third prize: Zahra Arsha 

The competition was judged by Norman Warwick from All Across The Arts and Ray Stearn, Children’s Librarian.

Also in attendance at the prize giving was Caen Matthews, a Key Worker for the Armed Forces at Rochdale Council.