2007 | March | 22nd - Swindon Advertiser

Easter poems are cracking!

SCHOOL children who penned poems about Easter are looking forward to seeing their work reproduced in print.

 

Youngsters from across Swindon's primary schools took part in the creative competition, organised by the Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park.

 

And the 18 best poets will have their pieces published in a one-off anthology, which goes on sale on Monday for charity.

 

The competition, run in celebration of World Poetry Day on Wednesday, set out to encourage youngsters to come up with Easter-themed rhymes.

 

All of the pupils at Penhill Primary got involved, with six being picked to feature in the book.

 

Spencer Allen, Year 5 and 6 strategic leader at the school, said: "Every single child entered.

 

"It helps to give the children a clear purpose for writing, so this competition really brought out their best.

 

"My pupils are absolutely delighted to have some of their poems included in the Greenbridge poetry book.

 

"It was an exciting project for our class."

 

The winning entries were chosen by a panel of judges.

 

The poetry book, costing £1.50, will be sold at selected Greenbridge retailers and schools that have had successful entries.

 

All proceeds from sales of the book will be going towards Swindon-based charity the Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (CALM).

 

Kay Rigg, centre manager for Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park, said: "We received more than 300 entries and it was a really tough job narrowing down the winners.

 

"Some of the poems have been included because they remember the real Easter message and others we have included simply because they made us smile.

 

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and we hope that Greenbridge customers will help to support the Calm charity by buying the poetry book."