Exmoor Dark Skies Writing Competition 2024 Winners

After a number of weeks of intensive reading for our three judges, Erin Allgrove, Davina Jelley and Marion Lindsey-Noble have agreed on their competition winners.

The younger age category was won by Vivienne Rambe of Minehead Middle School who wrote 'Huggalumps of the Hills'. The judges said this was a fantastically fun and imaginative piece of work. Highly commended was awarded to 'Milly and Monty' by Fergus Brewer and 'Tales of Watersmeet Woods' by Lizzie Ashdown.

The older category was won by 'An Unbreakable Bond' by Rebecca Needs of Taunton School which the judges described as a magically written story with incredible connection to Exmoor and the Dark Skies. Highly Commended was awarded to Amelia Bedding and Iris Brazier who wrote 'The Midnight Encouter'.

We also awarded a prize to Finley Richardson (above) from Crowcombe Primary School who wrote 'Cassiopeia'. Finley's story was focused on a star making myth and beautifully incorporated our Dark Skies. He won the schools prize which is a 'Dark Skies learning experience' with the Exmoor National Park Engagement Team.

Julie Colman, Rural Enterprise Coordinator for Exmoor National Park said:

‘We were astounded by the number of entries we received and also the quality of the stories written. It proved a very difficult decision for our judges as there were so many exceptional stories. We would like to congratulate all the children that entered the competition and thank our three judges that gave up their time to read all the entries’.

The winning entries can be read via our Dark Skies Writing Competition webpage.