Budding young writers recognised at Swindon Dock competition awards ceremony

Swindon Borough Council announced the winners of a writing competition for The Dock website yesterday afternoon (6 April) with Lucia Beggan of St Joseph's Catholic College walking away with the first prize of £200.

Lucia shook hands with Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, who donated the top prize and said: "I had no hesitation in offering this top prize when I heard about the project. This is a demonstration of my belief that the future of Swindon and Wiltshire lies with our young people."

The winning article, entitled "Top eight places in Swindon to visit during the summer holidays" will now be uploaded to The Dock website to be used as a resource for local people.

15 articles from across the borough were submitted, with seven winners selected. All entries were recognised during the ceremony and each participant received a certificate to commemorate the occasion.

The ceremony also saw second place winner Chelsie May from Dorcan Academy receive £50 donated by Excalibur Executive Chairman James Phipps for her article entitled "What is Social Media doing to our society?", and the third prize of a Create Studios MassMedia Course (worth £40) went to five runners up:

• Abigail Tuck from Westrop Primary for "Feelings"
• Grace Griffiths from Chiseldon Primary for "Fitness"
• Deborah Masters from Bradon Foest School for "Mental Matters
• Mitchell Collett from New College for "My Twiddling Thumbs"
• Dylan Williams from Chiseldon Primary for "Cyber Bullying"

Swindon's Restorative Youth Services Business Manager Blair Staynings, who organised the competition, said: "It's been a really positive experience and great to get such a broad range of subjects covered by the entrants.

"The Dock is a website made by young people, for young people. We understand that today younger people don't necessarily want to talk about their problems with someone like a care worker or down the telephone so The Dock is there to be used as a resource and a place to connect."