A YOUNG poet is set to have his work published in a book next month after entering a competition.
Leyton Utley, nine, of Meadow View, Worsbrough, is a keen writer and when he’s not playing football, spends time reading and writing stories or poems.
He has been named a finalist in the Young Writers competition, a national poetry and creative writing competition.
The story Leyton wrote was based on his uncle, Ben Frudd, who is a professional diver and travels around the world.
Having written the story at home, he took it to school, Ward Green Primary, and his headteacher, Michelle Binns, submitted it to Young Writers.
His story will be published in a book, Poetry Wonderland, which will be released next month. In addition to this, for the past four years he has entered the BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition, a short story-writing competition for children between the ages of five and 13 where they pen an original story, no more than 500 words in length, and submit it online.
His mum, Stephanie Utley, is proud of her son’s achievements and nominated him for a Young Champions award for his special achievement.
She said: “Leyton has always been into reading and writing and I am proud of his achievements. Not a lot of children get recognition for their creativity and I think it’s nice for people to see.
Jess Bowden, Leyton’s teacher at Ward Green Primary, where he is a pupil said: “Leyton is a wonderful pupil who writes wonderful poems and stories. The language he uses is always well put together.
“He was once set a homework task to write a story and Leyton returned on Monday having printed a story complete with a cover. He always goes above and beyond when it comes to his writing. If he’s not writing, he’s out playing football or telling jokes.”
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Do you know a young champion?
We have received several nominations from parents and organisations nominating children and young people for their fundraising efforts, coaches nominating young people for their sporting achievements and family members nominating young carers who are going above and beyond for their loved ones.
We’re still keen to hear the about the amazing achievements accomplished by young superstars. If you know anyone who has a special story to tell in the following categories, we’d love to hear from you.
- Young Fundraiser
- Young Carer
- Young Sportsperson
- Student of the Year
- Volunteer
- Young Conqueror
- Young Community Hero
- Young Musician
- Adventurer
- Young Entrepreneur
- Special Achievement
- Young Sports Team
- Young Community Team
- Young Entertainment Team If you know a Young Champion up to the age of 21 who was gone above and beyond in any of these categories, email your nomination to abk@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk, complete the form on the Barnsley Chronicle website or pick up a copy of the form at our offices at 47 Church Street.
