TALENTED young authors from St Bees Village School have received awards following the Rotary Young Writer contest.

The theme of the competition was Light Up The Community and saw pupils write about a variety of ideas for boosting their area.

Winner was Juliet Bridgman who described many ideas for raising money for a swimming money, including Rebecca Adlington performing the opening ceremony.

Donald Brownrigg, of the Rotary Club of Whitehaven, presented the awards.

Second place was Hannah Clarkson who took the decision to clear up litter themselves without the need for fundraising, with Lara Wilson, in third place, creating a park from an area of abandoned woodland.   

Other young writers who took part in the contest were Evie Nancollis, Teddy Swartz, Bella Stamper, Pippa Francis and Georgia Dowber.

Judge Anthony Payne, said: "A difficult task to judge between the entrants in a group of a very talented writers! All of them took the stimulus of being bored as a starting board for their ideas to improve the quality of the community. Well done to everyone.''

FEATURED in a recent issue of The Times Saturday magazine was an article on “The Books Every Bright 16-year-old Should Read” by Eton College’s head teacher, Tony Little. 

Budding writer, 16-year-old, Emily Taylor, of Drigg, looked over the list and gave her view. (PIC OF Emily on Tark.....and possibly book covers).

OUT of over 40 books mentioned, I have read only one! 

That was The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Even then I would think this is more of a novel for older readers. 

In the literature section novels such as Atonement by Ian McEwan and The bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe seem more like adult fiction. Regarding literature, 16-year-olds are more likely to have read the Chronicles of Narnia. Also a good read is the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. This includes the best selling novel The Golden Compass. 

Within the Eton Literature in Translation section, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by French novelist Muriel Barbery of France is apparently an essential read. However, I would recommend Les Miserables by Victor Hugo as a better French novel to read. 

Books like Genome by Matt Ridley are included in the science section. Whereas I would think 16-year-olds are reading more science fiction novels like Divergent by Veronica Roth or Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Other topics include Ethics, Theology, Politics and Philosophy, topics, which I believe, which would send the average 16- year-old to sleep!

According to Little, 16-year-olds should have read books on economics by JK Galbraith, when books by JK Rowling are much more likely. For history, I would recommend The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, unlike Little who recommends The Realities Behind Diplomacy by Paul Kennedy. 

These are the books I would much rather read -- but maybe I’m just not destined for Eton.

WOULD-be journalists from St Begh's Junior School have set up their own school newspaper -- and pulled in their own scoop interviewing Copeland's MP, Jamie Reed.

Pupils from the school initially set up a writers' group, called Future Authors, which met during lunchtime. They subsequently decided to establish their own school newspaper.

The paper's editor, nine-year-old Mayumi Singh, invited Mr Reed along to the school for a question and answer session where he tackled some tough questioning relating to national and local politics as well as who would be his favourite dinner party guests! 

He was then taken on a tour of the school by the editorial team which included Mayumi; deputy editor, Emily Robert; Jessica Broatch; Tom Shields and Gabriella Reid. 

Some of the interview went as follows:

What was it like to be a member of parliament?

Jamie: It is a real privilege. I always wanted to be work in politics so it feels very

special.

How did you feel when the Labour Party lost?

Jamie: I felt terribly upset. Not just for myself but for all the other people in the

country who the labour party would have helped such as those who

cannot afford to eat properly.

Did you like school?

Jamie: I absolutely loved school. My favourite subjects were History and

English.

What is your opinion on the current situation of West Cumberland

Hospital? What do you intend to do to fight Whitehaven’s corner?

Jamie: Well, I’ve been fighting this fight for 10 years now and we have managed

to save a lot of services that would have otherwise been lost. A lot of

money has been put into the new build and the fight for local services

never ends.

If you were more Prime Minister what would you change?

Jamie: It’s a very long list! I would put more money into the NHS so there could

be lots more nurses and doctors. I would put more money into schools

to give children more opportunities and I would try to help areas outside

of London and cities such as ours to make them better places to live with

lots more to do.

What is your favourite book and film?

Jamie: Jaws is my favourite film and the ‘Great Gatsby’ is my favourite book. I

love to read.

If you could choose some people from history to attend your dinner

party who would you invite?

Jamie: Napoleon Bonaparte, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Oliver Cromwell

along with King Charles.

COPELAND Libraries will be holding a host of events to keep youngsters entertained through the summer holidays.

At Cleator Moor Library each Thursday from 10.30-11.30am, there will be summer crafts with Tina. While each Monday from 10.30-11.30am there will be crafts at Egremont library.

Distington Library will also be holding summer reading and craft sessions throughout the holidays each Thursday from noon-2pm. Craft sessions with Tina at Mirehouse Library will also be held each Wednesday from 1.30-2.30pm. 

Find further events on Facebook and www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries