At 7:10pm on 30th November 1936, the first sparks of flames were seen emerging from the Crystal Palace in south-east London. The smoke and glow from the great fire were reported to have been seen as far away as the south coast, as the mysterious blaze consumed the People’s Palace, which had stood proudly for eight decades, three times bigger than St Paul’s Cathedral, hosting the first FA Cup Finals and welcoming millions of visitors every year from around the world including, of course, Queen Victoria herself.
At 7:10pm on 30th November 2021, nine young writers aged between 7 and 13, came together with their families to celebrate winning the ‘Your Crystal Palace Writing Competition’ in the Crystal Palace Museum, the last standing part of the Palace. Some of the children chose to read their winning story aloud to the crowd of almost 50 people. Others asked local author of The Crystal Palace Chronicles, a time travelling adventures series for 11-14 year olds, Graham Whitlock, to read on their behalf. Each brilliant story brought to life an imagined tale of what could happen if the Crystal Palace were to return again.
The competition saw entries from across 10 schools in the South-East, and the prizes included an iPad for overall winner China Wright, and a bundle of goodies for each of the nine children, including a book token, a copy of The Crystal Palace Chronicles: Star of Nimrod with a bookmark and poster, a certificate, a book from local diverse and inclusive children’s’ publisher Parakeet Books, and some Crystal Palace Park dinosaur gifts.
Each of the winning stories are now exhibited in their own dedicated display at the Museum along with a bronze helmet that one of the firemen wore trying to battle the flame 85 years ago. The stories are also on display at the Upper Norwood Library Hub.
The winners are:
Ages 7-8
China Wright (St Joseph’s School, London)
Gemma Jackson (Paxton Primary School, London)
Louis Mason (Rockmount Primary School, London)
Eleanor Cox (Heavers Farm Primary School, London)
Ages 9-10
Annie Grossart (Crown Lane Primary, London)
Macy Lewis (Headcorn Primary School, Kent)
Nancy Hildon (Sutton Valance Primary, Kent)
Ages 11-13
Emilia Swallow (Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Kent)
Louise Smith (Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Kent)
Author Graham Whitlock said: “The imaginations of these nine young storytellers rose like phoenixes from the ashes and planted this historic event firmly in 2021.”
The judges of the competition were:
Judy Skidmore from Parakeet Books
Emily Jewell, director of Upper Norwood Library Hub
Richard Watkins, guide from The Crystal Palace Museum
Graham Whitlock, author of The Crystal Palace Chronicles
