Students from across the Wisbech schools have been challenged to come up with an original and creative piece of writing with the title ‘In Times of Great Need’. The competition, with prize money kindly donated by the Rotary Club, is the latest in a series of events for Wisbech Reads, a long term strategy aimed at boosting literacy in the town.

Thomas Clarkson’s English teacher Mr Hudson, came up with the title and Librarian, Debbie Trafford launched the competition. She said: ‘Entries must be an original work but they can be any length and any style. Entries can either be emailed to me or sent in hard copy format. All entries need to be received by 7pm on Friday 11 November and judging will be carried out by an impartial community panel. There are separate prizes for secondary and primary students and I am hoping there will be a great response from all schools across the town.’

This is the third year that Mrs Trafford has run a writing competition, previous ones were aimed at the Brooke Weston Trust Schools whereas this is the first time that schools across the town will take part.

Wisbech Reads is a community initiative that has been running for two years. It is run by local schools, libraries and other groups, has multiple literacy and arts-based events each year to engage and enthuse the community as well as innovative resources including the Reading Tree in Wisbech town centre where people are encouraged to sit and read books that are secreted in boxes around the trunk.

This academic year plans are already being drawn up for a Halloween Festival, reading cafes in the town’s primary schools, a book exchange, book quiz and two festivals in the summer aimed at children and their families.