Visit Jersey Launches School Travel Writing Competition

Visit Jersey has announced the launch of a new travel writing competition for secondary school children across the island, supported by the Jersey Festival of Words and the Jersey Evening Post. The competition will be open to pupils in years 7-9 and will be around the theme of ‘autumn in Jersey.’ Winning entrants can expect to be published both in the Jersey Evening Post and on the Visit Jersey website, Jersey.com.

From 25 September, students in years 7-9 should submit their entry (up to 500 words) by email attachment to [email protected]. Entries should focus on the theme of ‘why Jersey makes for an ideal autumn break’ including a mix of inspiration and practical tips, along with 2-3 original photos. The deadline for entries is Friday 06 October and winners will be announced by the end of the month.

In addition to representatives from Visit Jersey and the Jersey Evening Post, the judging panel will include Jersey-born travel journalist Antonia Windsor, who will be giving a public travel writing workshop as part of the Jersey Festival of Words on Sunday 24 September between 10.30am and 1pm. Antonia is a regular contributor to publications including The Times, The Telegraph, National Geographic Traveller Magazine and Condé Nast Traveller. Ms Windsor, who was educated at FCJ, Le Rocquier and Hautlieu, is also offering travel writing workshops to secondary schools across the island during the Jersey Festival of Words until 24 September, giving pupils the opportunity to learn how to craft the perfect travel feature.

Tricia Warwick, CEO of Visit Jersey commented: “The Jersey Festival of Words is all about celebrating the written word and this competition aims to really get students thinking about where they live and the inspiration that can be found on their own doorstep. We can’t wait to see how students capture the essence of our beautiful island and the spirit of the Jersey Festival of Words in their storytelling.’

Antonia Windsor added: “My journalism career was launched when I won a writing competition that was judged by the editor of the Jersey Evening Post and I was offered work experience at the paper. I am therefore excited to be part of a competition that gives the next generation of writers a chance to see their work in print.”