Creative Writing Competition Winner

This half term we held our Creative Writing Competition with the theme of Manchester.  Students were invited to write 300 words which could be non fiction, fiction or poetry.  James, Gilly and Karen from the English department had the tricky task of judging the entries, but all agreed the winner was Ada in Year 13 from Gaskell House . The Judges decided that Ada’s entry was the most accomplished in that it takes the reader on a vivid journey around some of Manchester’s landmark places and spaces. They particularly enjoyed Ada’s description of the ‘seasonal gift’ of Manchester’s Christmas street markets experienced by night.  Ada received a copy of Word Perfect by Susie Dent in recognition of her achievement.

Principal Chris Randell commented, “Ada is an incredibly talented student and we are delighted that her hard work in producing such a beautiful piece of creative writing has been recognised.
At Abbey College Manchester we recognise that success in life comes from more than just exams, which is why we encourage all students to broaden their horizons beyond the curriculum, with activities such as the creative writing competition, to expand on their knowledge and skills.”

Below is Ada’s winning prose.

On The Subject of Manchester
Yesterday I went to Manchester Central Library. It is a beautiful place, in more than one way. It is filled to the brim with knowledge. Like an old museum, it has to display not only the exhibitions,
but the architecture also.

I spent most of my time there in the large reading room on the first floor; a large, circular room filled with quiet desks and volumes of volumes around the circumference. It is topped with a domed roof nearly as big as the Pantheon’s, which is internally crowned with a golden band of writing, telling of the wonders of wisdom.

Fortunately, the Library is not the only wonder of Manchester. The Arndale Centre is the right size to find anything without getting too lost. Places like the People’s (or more accurately, left
wing) History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are fantastic places to learn.

Indeed, there are at least three universities bringing the young in and keeping the city new and alive. The city even has a decent tram network. These wondrous fixtures are not all the city has to offer. Its greatest strength is a seasonal gift. Like most places, lights go up in late November. Dazzling lights that frame the roads to artful precision. Colourful lights that pale in comparison to the great light whose descending we
celebrate at Christmas.

I dislike the commercial Christmas, but I can forgive it for the web of cabins it spreads through the roads of Manchester; a market unafraid to leave the square others confine themselves to. At
night, fairies fly about them, bustle fills the streets and music fills the air. It is a magical place I long to bring my love to. Alas, my love is a secret one.

But my love for Manchester is not.