HYDE resident and talented wordsmith Ada, has been celebrated for her exceptional writing skills, securing the first-place prize in a creative writing competition themed around Manchester.
Ada, who is a Year 13 at Abbey College Manchester, was crowned as the winner of the competition at the college’s highly-anticipated Festive Evening, where her prose piece was also read out to a delighted audience.
Ada’s work was highly commended by the competition judges as the most accomplished in that it takes the reader on a vivid journey around some of the city’s landmark places and spaces.
The judges, who were members of the leading independent college’s English department, were particularly impressed with her description of the ‘seasonal gift’ of Manchester’s Christmas street markets experienced at night – “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.”
In recognition of her achievement, Ada was presented with a copy of the book ‘Word Perfect’ by Susie Dent.
Abbey College Manchester’s 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. The Festive Evening was a joyous occasion thoroughly enjoyed by all, and the perfect opportunity to congratulate Ada for her success.
“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.”