Young writers asked to imagine the future of their hometown in Newark and Sherwood District Council competition

Budding young writers are being asked to imagine and design their perfect hometown, as part of a new competition.

Children are being invited to take part in Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Future Newark Writing Competition, as part of the Towns Fund initiative, with prizes including an Amazon Fire tablet up for grabs.

It was announced in September 2019 that Newark was chosen as one of 100 towns in the UK to receive up to £25 million worth of investment, as part of the government’s ‘Town Deal’ process.

The district council is in the process of a major online consultation where residents are to contribute ideas on how Newark could benefit from the multi-million-pound cash boost.

Alongside this, it is inviting the voices of tomorrow to submit their own imaginative ideas for Newark, which will help inform proposals on how the money could be spent.

Council leader David Lloyd said: “The Towns Fund is presenting a huge opportunity to refocus the future of Newark and we’ve had a great response to the main survey so far.

“It really is vital for all our residents — no matter what age — to be a part of this process. We want to find out exactly what they love about Newark but also what they would love to see in the town and we are really excited to read everyone’s entries.”

Children should submit their ideas in the form of a handwritten and scanned or typed letter on A4, and send them to newarktownsfund@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk before 5pm on Thursday, July 6.

The best letters from children aged seven to nine and ten to 12 will each win an Amazon Fire Table.

There will be an additional tablet for the best idea and four runners-up will get a £10 book voucher.

Full details and GDPR information, which should accompany entries, can be found at: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/business/newarktownsfund/futurenewark/