This article and its content is shared with permission from The CRT. You can read the original story here.
Back in May, we asked local children and young people to enter a nature writing competition, a flash fiction event on the theme of Invasive Species.
Flash fiction is defined as ‘a type of prose narrative characterized by its brevity’ – in this case, 50 words – and which focuses on ‘conciseness and impact’ which is what our entrants delivered.
Feedback from the judges, best-selling children’s author Sarah Lean and farm estate manager, Hannah Bosence, highlighted the excellent quality of the writing and the successful way all entries captured the disruption caused by invasive species.
Author Sarah Lean
Farm Manager Hannah Bosence
Writing of hemlock’s invasion by stealth, one entrant notes ‘spotted stems surge silently through the undergrowth, poised to assassinate their victims’, and another writer, of ‘a motionless body in a field of white flowers’, and ‘exploding outwards like fireworks, sending out milk white sparks…deceptively beautiful.’
The duality of mink was captured by many, its look of softness, ‘a dainty dancer, a soft, sneaky little thing’, ‘it’s slender body dancing in the moon’ setting their imagery against the reality of violence, ‘needle-like fangs piercing through feathers and flesh’.
Other invaders were captured powerfully in writing, including muntjac, ‘my little fangs are lethal’ and giant hogweed, ‘the monster behind a mask of beauty’.
Judges comments
Sarah, whose books include The Good Bear and A Dog Called Homeless, said it was an absolute delight to encounter the individual ways the children approached the subject of ‘invaders’.
“It was not easy choosing winners when there was such a wonderful variety, including both flora and fauna,” she said.
“In the end, the high standard of the shortlist couldn’t be reduced to one in each category and we had to award extra prizes with special commendations.
“The winning pieces were all chosen for very different reasons, but especially the skill in encompassing super first line hooks, stunning word choices and phrases, and the way each line played into the piece as a whole.
“Thank you to all the entrants – it really was a joy to read them all – and huge congratulations to the deserving winners. Long may you enjoy using words to express yourself and the things you encounter in wildlife!”
Exceptional and thoughtful writing from all those who entered, but the final winners were Bea Mischi in the junior category, and for the senior category, Sybella Scott Kerr.
Special Commendations were awarded to Eleanor Samways and Violetta Bonneton, who each receive a book, signed by our judge, national children’s author, Sarah Lean.
Winners can choose a CRT event to attend for free at Bere Marsh Farm, as well as receiving a book, signed by Sarah.
Current events include Introduction to Insect Photography, Wildlife Filming Workshop (12+), Discovering Bats in Summer, What’s in the Water and Wonderful Wool, Discovering Bats in Autumn and more to come later in the year.
The Winning Entries
Bea Mischi, Age 10, Hanford School, Junior Category
Invasive Species: Mink
As the silent shape of the moon rises above the horizon, a stealthy hunter
Slips into the shadows, twisting its slender body round each whispering tree.
Dancing in the starlight, stalking its prey hidden by the cloak of darkness,
Each fang glistens in the moonlight
Sinking into its warm prey’s flesh.
Sybella Scott Kerr, Age 12, Hanford School, Senior Category
Invasive Species: Japanese Knotweed
Admittedly, the pink buds fooled me,
But, I was too late…
Jabbing, raking, poisoning,
Nothing could stop the assassination of my garden
A network of roots had seized the soil.
The stalks turned fat and ugly,
Then, sickly maroon spots started to appear.
My garden had been sentenced to death.
Eleanor Samways, Age 7, Junior Category, Special Commendation
Invasive Species: Asian Hornets – click on the photo below to read the full piece.
Violetta Bonneton, Age 13, Hanford School, Senior Category, Special Commendation
Invasive Species: Floating pennywort
Floats like a feather on the surface of the water,
Invades the rivers and destroys oxygen,
Spreading on top of the aquatic creatures.
The plants dominate the waters by covering it completely –
Not a single ray of sunshine gets past them
Since they are selfishly keeping it for themselves.
More ways to support us (The CRT)
If you want to help us protect local wildlife and habitats in other ways you can join as a CRT Friend, attend our in-person and online events and volunteer on one of our farms. You can also sign-up to our monthly newsletter ‘CRT News’ for regular updates from our farms, straight to your inbox.
Recent Comments