06 December 2023

Winners of Black Beauty-inspired writing competition revealed

Competition winner Zena poses with head judge and author Sangu Mandanna
Competition winner Zena with head judge, children's author Sangu Mandanna

Redwings and the University of East Anglia (UEA) have revealed the winners of a creative writing competition to mark the launch of our new fundraising edition of Black Beauty, which is out now.

One hundred and sixty young people aged 7-18 years old entered, and the winners’ work is now available to read here:

Otter, by Zena, aged 10 (PDF 150 KB)

Red Leaves, by Alfie, aged 16 (PDF 145 KB)

Nicola Knight, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Redwings and one of the competition judges, said: “Black Beauty was one of the first novels to have used an animal as narrator and the competition brief was to follow in author Anna Sewell’s footsteps by writing a short story or poem from an animal’s point of view.

“We were blown away by the number of entries we received, which were staggeringly good. It was both a joy and a heartbreak to read the moving work by these young writers.”

Competition winner Zena reads her story at the Black Beauty book launch.
Competition winner Zena reads her story at the Black Beauty book launch.

Worthy winners

 

Ten-year-old Zena won the 7-12 category with her story ‘Otter’ and read it in front of an audience of invited guests at a special launch of the new Black Beauty edition at The Priory in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 24th November – the anniversary of the publication of the world-famous novel in 1877. 

Zena’s parents Andy and Anna said: “We are so pleased for Zena, and proud of her!

“As soon as we mentioned the competition, she said she knew exactly what she was going to write about and set about it straight away!

“She once took part in a walk protesting the proposed building of new homes on a piece of land between the town’s riverwalk and the main town park, where otters are often seen. Unfortunately, the building went ahead. The otters are still around but the thought of those otters has obviously stayed with her.”

Sixteen-year-old Alfie won the 13-18 category with his story ‘Red Leaves’ about the last moments of a fox’s life. Alfie wasn't able to attend the book launch, but of the heartbreaking story, he said: “I decided to enter this competition as I have always loved writing and thought it would give me the chance to do that, whilst also expressing my views on fox hunting.

“I also really liked the idea of getting to write about this topic through the animal's eyes. I tried to make it quite relatable, so I focused on the fox's grief about losing their family rather than them being hunted and then killed.”

Competition winner Alfie
Competition winner Alfie
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"I am in such awe and want to thank all the entrants. They are such a talented, environmentally conscious, and wonderful bunch!"

Sangu Mandanna

Author and competition head judge

"We were blown away by the number of entries we received, which were staggeringly good. It was both a joy and a heartbreak to read the moving work by these young writers."

Nicola Knight

Redwings Head of Communications & Campaigns and competition judge

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"Talented, environmentally conscious, and wonderful bunch!"

 

Five runners-up were chosen from each category and an honourable mention was given to seven-year-old Evie for her collection of poems ‘Cat Tales’ because the judges loved her creativity so much.

The entries were shortlisted by judges Professor Thomas Ruys Smith - who collaborated on the new edition of the book - Dr Hilary Emmett and Dr Daisy Henwood from the UEA and Nicola Knight from Redwings. The winners were selected by children and young people’s author Sangu Mandanna who lives in Norwich and attended the book launch along with special guests including Master English Saddle Maker, presenter and author Susie Fletcher and Anna Sewell biographer Celia Brayfield.

Of the young writers, Sangu said: “I am in such awe and want to thank all the entrants. They are such a talented, environmentally conscious, and wonderful bunch!”

The winners all receive an adoption of our very own Black Beauty, Maya, a black Friesian who lives at Redwings Aylsham in Norfolk, and a copy of the Redwings and UEA edition of Black Beauty signed by children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, who contributed the foreword to the book. Their work will be published in our Young Reds and Mini Reds supporter magazines in the spring.

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The Redwings-UEA edition of Black Beauty

For every special Redwings edition of Black Beauty sold, half of the proceeds will go directly towards the care of our horses and ponies. 

The book has been produced by the UEA Publishing Project, with a foreword by Dame Jacqueline Wilson and an afterword from Professor Thomas Ruys Smith.

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