Young scribe Helena aces Rotary contest School students were told to submit an imaginative and creative piece of writing on the topic ‘A different perspective’ in no more than 500 words by the Rotary Club of Farnham.

Schoolgirl Helene Livsey-Hammond has added to her triumph in the Rotary Club of Farnham’s (RIBI, D 1145) second annual Young Writers’ Competition, by scooping honours at both the district and national contests.

This year the Rotary Club of Farnham challenged students aged 11 to 13 years old via their schools to submit an imaginative and creative piece of writing on the topic ‘a different perspective’ in no more than 500 words.

A grand total of 60 students participated, with three being chosen to go forward to the district level, which represents the southeast of England.

There, Helena Livsey-Hammond won in a tightly fought competition with a piece entitled ‘plagued by suspicion’ and, not only that, she also received a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate at the national level.

Creative writing is a talent to be celebrated and to be able to write is a special gift.

There are young people who have, or have the ability to develop this talent and Rotary promotes it through the Rotary Young Writer competition.

This is the second year the Rotary Club of Farnham have run it, with plans to run it again.

David Coker, Chairman of the Youth Committee of The Rotary Club of Farnham, commented at the award ceremony that: “Most people think that Rotary is all about standing around and shaking tins collecting money for various charities.

“Yes, it is true that is one of the many things we do to help raise funds for good causes. But our motto is ‘Service before self’ and by this I mean service to the community.

“Your school is part of the community and one way we can help you is to enable you to participate in various events which could be of use to you in your lives ahead, such as this one and the Youth Speaks public speaking competition, which we also organise.”

The Rotary Club of Farnham has also installed its new president, Richard Drummond, for the Rotary Year 2018-19.

In handing over the chain of office at the club’s meeting, the outgoing president, Paul Fry, wished Richard every success in his year. Richard will serve until the end of June 2019.

Source: Farnham Herald