YOUNG WRITER AWARDS
Winners of The Spectator and Sunday Telegraph competition
The judges were: Charles Moore, editor of The Spectator, Dominic Lawson, deputy editor, Peregrine Worsthorne, editor of the Sunday Telegraph, and Derwent May, literary editor of the Sunday Telegraph.
Judges' report: Although we had quite a large entry, it was also a disappointing one. Far too many entrants used words in lumps of dull prose and did not give evidence of thinking for themselves. Many seemed to think that subjective accounts of their travels were enough; others wrote versions of school essays. Subjects like homelessness and poverty were treated with good intentions, but not with flair or originality. For the first time in recent years, the judges felt unable to award a first prize. No entry was absolutely outstanding, and it is only for such entries that the prize can be given. There were several very good entries, however.
The best, which is awarded the second prize, was by Alice Pitman, and vividly described her visits to a very old man and the circumstances of his death. Miss Pitman wins £500 in cash and £500 credited to a book account, generously provided by Sherratt and Hughes, the leading book shop chain. The third prize (£200 in cash and the same in a book account, also from Sherratt and Hughes) goes to Mark Swallow, for his highly intelligent account of the opening up of a Chinese port to the outside world. The fourth prize (of £100, on the same terms) goes to Helena Smith, for her caustic description of the modern Greek. Other worthwhile pieces were contributed by Allegra Mostyn-Owen on the age of majority and Henrietta Miers on Armenia.
The schools section provided a clear winner. He is Joe Bray, whose witty, parodical piece we print below. He wins our special school prize of £200 in cash and an account worth £200 at Sherratt & Hughes.
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