Huge response to Oswestry’s creative writing competition
Over 100 entries from young people have been submitted as part of Oswestry’s creative writing completion.
The winners will be announced at the CAP-Fest event which takes place this Friday, 31 May 2013, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at Cae Glas Park. Teenagers can take part in a host of activities including music workshops and sports activities. Young people will also get to meet other youth organisations and get to find out about opportunities available to them in Oswestry.
The competition, initiated by local Shropshire Councillor Vince Hunt and supported by the Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership (OsCAP), invited pupils to submit a piece of creative writing portraying a negative experience of alcohol. Competition packs had been given to teachers at local schools to provide scenario ideas to pupils alongside example poems and stories.
Winners for each key stage will receive a £100 gift voucher of their choice, and runners up will receive a £25 gift voucher.
Vince Hunt, also chair of OsCAP, said:
“We have been overwhelmed at the response from young people at both local schools to the competition, and the number of entries and quality of them have meant we have decided to add some further ‘highly commended prizes’ to the first and runners up places.
“My thanks go to my fellow judges PC Mark Moth of WestMercia Police and Heather Rodenhurst of Shropshire Council’s library service in Oswestry for helping to assess the entries.
“It is fair to say this has been a very thought-provoking exercise for young people, so a big thank you goes to those who entered.
“We are hoping for good weather so ask everyone to keep their fingers crossed for us. The activities available are looking to provide a great time for all attending. Fusion Arts are doing workshops and providing a platform to some young local bands and performers to entertain us on the day, along with much more up their sleeves. The Shropshire Youth Bus is going to be in the park providing its own entertainment. ‘Ramped’ will be setting up for anyone to show their skills and learn a few maybe too. There really will be a good mix of things to watch and do on the day, do not miss out.”
In the event of bad weather the event will still go ahead, but at ‘The Centre’ on Oak Street, at the entrance to Oak Street car park.
CAP-Fest, organised by Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership (OsCAP), is being supported by Shropshire Council and its library service, Oswestry Town Council and Fusion Arts Oswestry. OsCAP is a partnership project aimed to reduce the incidents of underage drinking, raise awareness of the dangers and support initiatives that help to explore alternative activities and allow young people to flourish in the town. The group is also supporting the countywide Shrop-CAP project to help tackle underage drinking in Shropshire.
For further information please contact Steve White, community enablement officer on 01691 677287 or email steve.white@shropshire.gov.uk.
Further information
OsCAP partners include local councillors, schools, policing teams, public protection, community organisations, pubs and off sales retailers.
