Young poets pay tribute to the fallen

Mayor of Droitwich, Coun Anne Taft and Wychavon District Council chairman Coun Richard Morris with Tom Hughes and Luke Harrison from Droitwich Spa High School. (s)

CREATIVE Droitwich youngsters are among those who have been honoured as part of a remembrance-themed poetry competition.

The challenge was held by Wychavon District Council chairman and Droitwich town councillor Richard Morris to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend (November 11).

Coun Morris asked youngsters from across the town to come up with poetry which captured what Remembrance Sunday was all about and why it is so

important to remember those who gave their lives.

And Coun Morris was joined on the judging panel by Jeff King, chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Evesham Branch and David Folkes, chairman of Royal British Legion in Broadway.

Ella Gardener from Dodderhill School was declared the winner in the nine to 12-year-old category while schoolmate Alex Scott was named the runner-up.

In the 13 to 16-year-old category, Tom Hughes was named the winner ahead of his fellow Droitwich Spa High School classmate Luke Harrison.

The winners will get to read out their winning pieces of prose during the town’s Remembrance Day service on Sunday.

Coun Morris said: “All of the entries were strong and very touching. I’m pleased that so many of our local school children got involved and took the time to reflect

on just what it means to remember those who have fought for us.”

Droitwich Poppy Appeal secretary, Net Nevey, said: “The poems are of a very high standard and capture the mood of remembrance brilliantly.”

Town mayor Coun Anne Taft also paid tribute to the creative youngsters and said: “As we get older it is important for the younger generation to become involved

and participate in Remembrance Sunday.

“Coun Morris’s idea to involve them by writing a poem of their understanding of the war years helps stimulate this knowledge,” she added.

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