{"id":288247,"date":"2025-07-24T15:38:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T15:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/288247\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T15:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T15:38:28","slug":"lowry-creative-writing-challenge-2025-winners-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/288247\/","title":{"rendered":"LOWRY Creative Writing Challenge 2025 winners revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

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From socks gone missing to cats with big opinions, exploding printers to heartfelt tales of bullying and belonging, there was no shortage of imagination at LOWRY creative writing challenge 2025<\/p>\n

Now in its third year, the much-loved event took over the Quays Theatre in Salford on Monday 14 July, where over 300 guests packed into the auditorium for a joyful celebration of young talent and storytelling. <\/p>\n

Hosted by Manchester poet Tony Walsh (aka Longfella)<\/a>, the evening saw 26 children aged 7\u201311 take to the stage to share their winning work, chosen from almost 800 entries sent in from schools across Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n

And what a night it was. From plays and poems to short stories and punchy performances, these brilliant young minds wowed the crowd with their creativity, courage and charm.<\/p>\n

LOWRY\u2019s creative writing challenge 2025<\/p>\n

The evening proved that children don\u2019t shy away from life\u2019s biggest themes. Stories covered everything from climate change and Christmas rescues to grief, friendship, ADHD and even vegetarian chickens. One highlight, The Chicken Who Was Scared of Meat-Eaters, earned 8-year-old Lucian Junior O\u2019Neill the Founders Prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was brilliant to perform on stage to all those people,\u201d said 10-year-old Aidan O\u2019Donnell, who was named runner-up in the Founders Prize category. \u201cI made lots of new friends and really enjoyed it. I can\u2019t wait to hopefully perform again soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether funny, thought-provoking, or downright bonkers (in the best way), the pieces all had one thing in common: honesty. As Tony Walsh put it on the night, \u201cThese kids aren\u2019t just writers. They\u2019re truth-tellers, world-builders and heart-openers.\u201d<\/p>\n

A project with a serious purpose <\/p>\n

Behind the laughter and applause, the project has a serious purpose. The Creative Writing Challenge was created to help boost literacy and build confidence in children at a time when reading and writing skills are declining nationally.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than a celebration of talent, it\u2019s a call to action,\u201d said Jenny Riding, Director of Learning and Engagement at The Lowry. \u201cWhen a child sees their story performed on stage, when they feel their words matter, it can change their relationship with reading and writing for life.\u201d<\/p>\n

That belief is at the core of the project, which was founded by Lowry Gold Patron Beryl Jones and supported by her husband Trevor. Both were at the event to cheer on the writers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so important to give children a platform where they feel seen and heard,\u201d said Beryl. \u201cThey have so much to say, and so much wisdom to share if we just stop and listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Judged by the Best<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s judging panel featured big names from the world of books, TV and theatre, including author and illustrator Curtis Jobling (Bob the Builder, Frankenstein\u2019s Cat), actor and author Samantha Giles (Emmerdale), writer and broadcaster Nick Ahad, and comedian and screenwriter Ben Bailey Smith (aka Doc Brown). And of course, young people helped judge too.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe level of originality and empathy on display was just incredible,\u201d said Samantha Giles. \u201cEvery child that takes part is a winner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Curtis Jobling agreed: \u201cThis is the kind of opportunity I would\u2019ve leapt at as a kid. Reading opened the door to writing for me, and writing opened the door to a whole new life. That journey starts with encouragement\u2014and Lowry is helping provide just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2025 Winners:<\/p>\n

Poetry<\/strong>
\u2022 Winner: Alexandra Dornescu (7) \u2013 I am small in the ocean
\u2022 Runner-up: Luca Breivogal (9) \u2013 Why?<\/p>\n

Playscript<\/strong>
\u2022 Winner: Hanan Farah (10) \u2013 Three Treasures
\u2022 Runners-up: Gideon Alafiatayo (10) \u2013 Cybertron
& Alex Peiciu (10) \u2013 Fortune Teller<\/p>\n

Short Story<\/strong>
\u2022 Winner: Frankie Barrett (11) \u2013 A Cat\u2019s Perspective
\u2022 Runner-up: Isla Payton (10) \u2013 Saving Christmas<\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Choice<\/strong>
\u2022 Winner: Penelope Hughes (11) \u2013 My Life as a Pencil
\u2022 Runner-up: Emily Lawton (8) \u2013 The Missing Sock\u2026<\/p>\n

Founders Prize<\/strong>
\u2022 Winner: Lucian Junior O\u2019Neill (8) \u2013 The Chicken who was Scared of Meat-Eaters
\u2022 Runner-up: Aidan O\u2019Donnell (10) \u2013 Mic-drop, Action<\/p>\n

All finalists received certificates and book tokens, while the winners enjoyed theatre tickets for themselves and their families\u2014bringing their creative journey full circle at The Lowry.<\/p>\n

Who supported LOWRY creative writing challenge 2025<\/p>\n

With support from the National Literacy Trust, University of Salford, and Salford Community Leisure, the Creative Writing Challenge continues to grow, and the buzz in the theatre suggests it\u2019s only just getting started.<\/p>\n

You can find out more about what\u2019s on at LOWRY by clicking here<\/a><\/p>\n

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