Teen talent for Chaucerian tales

This year, Lola Brooke, a Year 13 pupil, won the ‘highly commended’ award for her poem in the Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2023/2024, in its seventh year running. The special theme of the competition this year was ‘Being Part of a Group’. As one of the winners, Lola’s poem has been published on the Chaucer Heritage website and can be viewed here. 

Lola said:

”It was quite a surprise to have won a prize! I have entered quite a lot of writing competitions, and this is the first one where I have been successful. It has given me a real confidence boost and has encouraged me to write even more!” 

Run by the The Chaucer Heritage Trust, the competition is open to all students of school age, in three different age groups: Junior (5-10 years), Intermediate (11-14 years) and Senior (15-18 years). The trust aims to further interest, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, his life and times and influence. 

Charles Farris, representing the trust, came into Jane Austen College to present the award in September to Lola, congratulating her on her poem, and said:

“Well done to Lola for such wonderful writing! The piece had an amazing mix of genres and I'm sure Chaucer himself would have been proud! It's fantastic to have a winner from Jane Austen College who have always been so welcoming and great supporters of the Canterbury Tales Writing Competition.” 

This year’s round is now open - please visit the Chaucer website for more details of how to enter. The theme for this academic year 24/25 is 'Surprise Surprise!'