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Two Inverness pupils are among winners of Innes & Mackay’s 150th anniversary Creative Writing competition





Lucja Grzyb from Central Primary School with Alison Foggo, Solicitor Head of Private Client and associate solicitor, Meegan Anderson.
Lucja Grzyb from Central Primary School with Alison Foggo, Solicitor Head of Private Client and associate solicitor, Meegan Anderson.

Talented young writers across the Highlands took part in a creative writing competition, with two Inverness pupils scooping the top awards.

The competition saw students from nursery, primary, and secondary schools across the region submit stories, poems, and designs for winning selection, which included publication in a special edition book highlighting the remarkable creative talents of the Highlands' young writers and artists.

Jessie Sedgwick from Balloch Primary School & Nursery and Lucja Grzyb from Central Primary School were the winners of this year’s Innes & Mackay 150th Anniversary Creative Writing Competition which this year centred on the theme of “new home”.

Jessie Sedgwick from Balloch Primary School & Nursery with Amy Macleod of Innes & Mackay
Jessie Sedgwick from Balloch Primary School & Nursery with Amy Macleod of Innes & Mackay

Lucja’s submission was a short story titled "New Home," which judges found “captivating”, with its “charming” and “relatable” look at the little things we miss when moving to a new home — whereas Jessie’s “delightful” card design “captured the warmth and joy of a new home” and was the winner for the nursery category.

Hannah Robertson, from Tain Royal Academy, was the winner for the secondary school category with her poem “What Would Happen to Me?” which, according to organisers, “beautifully explored the emotional experience of being forced to leave home by capturing the struggle between the desire to stay and the harsh reality of having to leave”.

Hannah Roberston from Tain Royal Academy with director Jane Young and associate solicitor, Meegan Anderson.
Hannah Roberston from Tain Royal Academy with director Jane Young and associate solicitor, Meegan Anderson.

Jane Young, director of solicitors and estate agents firm Innes & Mackay, expressed her pride in these creative efforts by stating: "We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent of young writers from across the Highlands.

"The entries not only displayed exceptional storytelling and design talent but also captured the essence of what it means to create a new home – something that is very close to our hearts."

The winner of the nursery category received a £100 Smyths Toys voucher and will have their design featured on thank-you cards to be sent to Innes & Mackay clients.

The school category winners, Lucja and Hannah, were each awarded a £100 book voucher and will also receive a copy of the special edition anniversary book, which showcases their winning entries alongside other winners from previous years.

In addition to the winners, three runners-up in the primary and secondary school categories received a £25 book voucher. The three nursery runners-up were also awarded a £25 Smyths Toys voucher.

Furthermore, the winning school in each category will receive a £500 donation from Innes & Mackay to further support creative programs and initiatives.

The runners up in the competition were:

Nursery

Hannah Grychta, Balloch Primary
Abigail Kendrew-Jones, Balloch Primary
Millie Murray, Little Angels Nursery

Primary:

Emily Mair, Cradlehall Primary
Luisa Turowski, St Josephs
Emily MacDonald, Crown Primary

Secondary:

Ayla Bradshaw, Portree High School
Sophie Whitby, Fortrose Academy
Meghan Blain, Inverness Royal Academy

"Our winners and runners-up have turned the theme of 'new home' into something truly unique and meaningful, and we can't think of anything else to say other than a massive well done to each of them," Ms Young continued.

"We sincerely hope this competition sparks a lifelong love of storytelling and the arts as they grow and discover who they are.

"As a firm rooted in the Highlands for over 150 years, we understand the power of community, and we're incredibly grateful to all who have supported us and contributed to our anniversary competition. Thank you to the schools, the teachers, the parents, and, above all else, the students – your participation, support and enthusiasm have blown us away."


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