Jeremy Paxman. |
Award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Jeremy Paxman has chosen the winners of the Courier/Weekly News short story competition. The task was to write a story beginning with the words: On the first day of Christmas...
You could then add a maximum of 50 words. There were four categories:
0 to 6 years
7 to 11 years
12 to 16 years
Adults
The winning entry in each category will receive a £25 book voucher.
WINNER - ADULT CATAGORY
Jodie Wiltshire of Shrubland Street, Leamington:
Jodie Wiltshire. |
On the first day of Christmas, looking out towards where African land meets blue sky; I watch a small village boy. Deeply absorbed, he laughs at a piece of wood attached to a string tied around his hand. Unaware of this holy morning, his joy dances upon the undergrowth, loud enough to awaken any silent spirits.
RUNNER UP
Trudie Donnelly of Hatton Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas…Oh no! There’s so much to do! Where shall I start? Presents to buy, cards to write, a cake to bake, a tree to decorate.
Must keep focussed. I know:
1) Kettle on
2) Grab a biscuit
3) Make a detailed list of jobs for husband
Phew, panic over!
RUNNER UP
Elizabeth Taylor of Warwick Road, Southam:
On the first day of Christmas in the early hours, I tiptoed into my sleeping daughter’s bedroom. Santa’s unopened sack lay by her bed. Tired, I rested in her pine rocking chair, remembering the nights I nursed her as a baby. I thought about Mary and baby Jesus and smiled.
Love, sacrifice and hope. Happy Christmas.
Jeremy Paxman says:
I enjoyed Trudie Donnelly’s version of how to get through the Christmas chores and Elizabeth Taylor’s picture of a mother with her child is touching.
But I have to choose one winner.
I think I’ll go for the vividness of Jodie Wiltshire’s picture of an African boy’s Christmas. I like ‘his joy dancing upon the undergrowth.’
Gosh, Leamington is a literate town!
FINALISTS - ADULTS
Philip Thompson of Rusina Court, Leamington wrote:
On the first day of Christmas, Santa will be thanking me for helping all the children, mums and dads, the poor, needy and the rich. I know I only work one day a year but me and my team have to cover many many miles in very cold conditions.
It makes my nose glow red.
Love Rudolph.
Betty Still of Lillington Road, Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas, having no true love to send to me, I’ll do the sending. By phone the recipients will be relieved not to receive wildfowl or mad musicians, just a voice. That reminds me, neighbours get out your earplugs! I’m treating myself to a drum this Christmas!
Lindsay Burns, 33, of Market Harborough:
On the first day of Christmas, 1976, I learnt stockings came from drunken parents and was sad. On the first day of Christmas, 1986, I was hot with teenage hate for festivity. But now - a lonely, grown up 33 - I know that joy comes in small parcels.
And I’m glad.
Natalie Crump, Southam Road, Long Itchington:
On the first day of Christmas, I never dreamed I would wake up and find a handsome man’s face on the pillow beside me, still with those boyish good looks which I had fallen in love with all those years ago. How glad I am I said yes when in 1978 he asked me to marry him.
Tai Sen Choy of Eastfield Road, Leamington wrote:
On the first day of Christmas, a despondent child. On the 25th, a mistake, as Santa and reindeers, lost over the Atlantic, found themselves in a Caribbean room, too late to return to chimneys. So they left an unexpected stocking containing red Californian apples. I nibbled for one euphoric hour. I was seven years old.
Gareth Smith, Avon Street, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas the clock chimed midnight as the supermarket manager followed the latest edict from head office and made shelf space for Easter eggs. Noticing the use by date of the eggs was two weeks before Easter, he despaired. “Is it just me?” he shouted to the empty aisles. “Well? Is it?”
Linda Barnes of Greville Road, Warwick wrote:
On the first day of Christmas I was glad to get out of that box. Although I had a woolly scarf for a bed, the lid squashed my head. When the aeroplane took off I got poked in the ear with a pencil. But it was all worth it when my new owner gave me a cuddle.
WINNER 12-16 YEARS CATAGORY
Kerry Thomas, aged 12, of Smith Street, Warwick:
Kerry Thomas. |
On the first day of Christmas the police were very busy. Millions of people were pressing charges on Santa for forced entry and criminal damage (he had been denting peoples roofs with his sleigh). The police had no choice. They gave him an A.S.B.O.
Jeremy Paxman says:
I love Kerry Thomas’ idea of Father Christmas getting an ASBO!
RUNNERS UP
Louis Fecci, 12, Russell Terrace, Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas my father said to me “peel those potatoes, skin those brussell sprouts, buy me lots of presents, go and cook that turkey, make those stuffing balls, make the Christmas pud, make it all for me, and if you don’t I’ll bash you over the head with the Christmas tree”.
Alex Davies, 12, West Street, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas there was a problem. Santa couldn’t attend Christmas. He was stuck in a financial crisis. His wife Mrs Claus spent too much money and went into debt. So they picked me the evil one out of me and my brother, hehe! So let’s just say it wasn’t a merry Christmas.
Emily Aldridge, 12, Coriolanus Square, Heathcote, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas my mum and I went to Sainsbury’s to buy some nibbles. Walking down the vegetable aisle was a familiar man. SANTA CLAUS! He had a handful of carrots. As we walked into the car park, we saw a sleigh fly into the sky.
Cordelia Brown, 15, of Fryer Avenue, Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas in 1914, there was an unspoken truce. They were once enemies by law not by choice, but Christmas stripped them of their barbaric and unwanted duties. Carols replaced gun shots; and on Christmas Day 1914, there was peace.
Jodie Reyte, 12, Cumberland Crescent, Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas Rudolph got a cold and Santa, well, he didn’t know what to do. So he gave him a Strepsil and he sucked and sucked and then Rudolph jumped up with joy and flew all night in the deep blue velvet sky, bringing gifts to all the girls and boys.
Joe Johnstone, 12, Langcliffe Avenue, Woodloes Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas Santa gave to me a rhino and a pit bull.
On the second day of Christmas Santa gave to me a nuclear bomb, a rhino and a pit bull.
On the third day of Christmas Santa gave to me a bulldozer, a nuclear bomb, a rhino and a pit bull.
Lisa Williams, 12, Stanton Walk, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas wrapping the odd presents up. Glittering paper everywhere, and sellotape all around. Sorting all the presents out, wondering who to give them to. Then putting them all in bags, waiting for the right moment to give them out. Everyone dreaming about their presents and waking up to Christmas day.
Ellen Donnelly, 14, of Hatton Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas... I received a magical gift. It came without a note, sender unknown. When I opened it I was completely overwhelmed. Out of this box came peace, love, tidings of joy and happiness. All the wonders of Christmas wrapped up as one. I wonder what I’ve done to deserve this?!
Angela Hicks, aged 14, of Ashfield Road, Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge, on the second day two calling birds, on the thrid day three french hens and on the fourth four calling birds! Honestly, doesn’t he know that at Christmas you eat turkey.
WINNER - 7-11 Years Catagory
Rachelle Rogerson, 11, Deansway, Woodloes Park, Warwick:
Rachelle Rogerson. |
On the first day of Christmas I knew I was going to get Barbie dolls. Honestly, who would give an 11 year old girl Barbie dolls? Grannies would. I’d rather be eaten by a reindeer and pooped out by Santa than play with dolls. I wanted make up. Grannies eh, who needs ‘em?
RUNNERS-UP
Ben Dawson, 10 of Temple Herdewyke primary school:
On the first day of Christmas, early in the morning, Mum and Dad creep downstairs and begin to put up the tree. They think I am sleeping but I hear all. Miow! What was that? Dad has stood on the cat! And the tree falls down with an almighty crash. Up I jump. Got you Dad!
Benjy Wilson, 8, of Fenny Compton:
On the first day of Christmas Santa was in a child’s house. When he was going back up the chimney he got stuck, he scrabbled and wriggled and all the children laughed. He got so angry that he unstuck himself. He was never seen again and that was how Santa got stuck up the chimney. The end.
Jeremy Paxman says:
It’s interesting that in this age group, Christmas begins to be the occasion for darker themes to emerge, like the tsunami and life in an orphange. But it also produces some good comical writing. I especially enjoyed Benjy Wilson’s explanation of why I haven’t seen Santa for a few years. Ben Dawson’s account of dad standing on the cat has real immediacy to it. But if I have to choose only one, I think it has to be Rachelle Rogerson’s version of why grannies get it wrong.
FINALISTS
Maddie Thompson, 11 of Willes Road, Leamington wrote:
On the first day of Christmas, my mother gave to me:
12 elderly relations,
11 flashing earrings,
£10 of phone credit,
9 Christmas dinners,
8 goodnight kisses,
7 bars of chocolate,
6 Christmas crackers,
5 new Cd’s,
4 pairs of shoes,
3 packs of hair dye,
2 “thank you” cards,
and 1 big headache!
Ethan Wells Payne, 9, of Kenilworth Road, Cubbington wrote:
On the first day of Christmas, my school gave to me five raffle tickets to sell, four words in the Christmas play, three friends for life, two lots of homework and an overcooked turkey dinner.
Abbie Young, 11 of Sutherland Close, Woodloes Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas mother said to me: “Today we are going to see Santa.” So we queued. I was so excited as we entered the dark grotto, lights twinkling in the dim. Suddenly there in front of me was a huge red monster! I ran and screamed. I never want to see Santa again.
Amy Dyer, 11, Alderminster Grove, Hatton Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas 2002 I was staring at the pitch black sky. It was Christmas but it had never been special to me. I was still in the orphanage waiting... Most kids ask Santa for magical wow presents. All I wish for is a family. Maybe next Christmas my dream will come true.
Paige Floyd, 11, Deerpark Drive, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas it wasn’t like I had imagined every other Christmas had been special, especially living in magical Tenerife. Well, I did before the tsunami struck. It destroyed my life. It took my parents away from me. I had never imagined Christmas without them. When will this nightmare end?
Zara Mann, 11, Eborall Close, Woodloes Park, Warwick:
On the first day of Christmas Santa said: “I’m sorry my dear but I have no presents this year.” As news spread everyone panicked. The adults flew to the North Pole to make some more toys for the children. Once they finished everyone was in the sleigh and they dropped the presents together.
Sam Robinson, 11 of Temple Herdewyke primary school:
On the first day of Christmas it was lying in the field. On the second day of Christmas it ate and ate. On the third day of Christmas she was full of antiapatun. On the eleventh she settled in the snow. On the twelfth day she gave birth to a little lamb.
WINNER 0-6 CATAGORY
Nathaniel Willers, 6, of Leamington:
Nathaniel Willers. |
On the first day of Christmas Natty woke up early. After breakfast it was present time. Yippee!!!!. Guess what there was....a fantastic flying sleigh. Natty decided to go and see Father Christmas so he took his sleigh outside. He sprinkled magic powder over his cats to turn them into reindeers. Then they flew to lapland.
RUNNER-UP
Anya Beth Payne, 6, of Kenilworth Road, Cubbington wrote:
On the first day of Christmas, my nanny gave me a big Advent calendar. After breakfast I decorated the tree with my mum and dad. On Christmas Eve my teacher gave me some mince pies but I was sad when Christmas was over.
RUNNER-UP
Alice Lockley, 6, of Harbury:
On the first day of Christmas, Santa Claus was on his way to town. He was on a sleigh with presents on. He was being funny because he was sticking his tongue out! And when he was trying to go down one of the chimneys, he licked all the soot which was very yukky! Bonkers Santa.
Jeremy Paxman says:
Jeremy Paxman. |
I loved these entries. They communicated the excitement of the magic of Christmas brilliantly.
It wasn’t easy to pick a winner, but I particularly liked Nathan Willers’ idea that he could turn his cats into reindeer.
The other two I’d like to commend are Alice Lockley’s ‘bonkers Santa’ and Anya Beth Payne’s account of what Christmas means to her.
FINALISTS
Edward Lockley, 3, of Harbury:
On the first day of Christmas, Santa Claus got stuck in the chimney. I tasted snowflakes; they felt cold and snowy. I built a snowman – his beard was white. He had a carrot nose and I made his eyes with stones. I liked making big snowballs because you can get everyone snowy – it was really funny!
Rebecca Swan, 6, of St Nicholas Avenue, Kenilworth:
On the first day of Christmas I dived down to the end of my bed to see my stocking. I was excited to see lots of presents. I opened one of them and inside there was some Magnetix. I made a snowman. I looked out of the window and I saw Father Christmas. Wow!
Sarah Batstone, 6, of Cherry Tree Walk, Southam:
On the first day of Christmas, the children ran downstairs and opened their presents. Now we’re going to the North Pole. “Mummy, will we see Father Christmas?” “I don’t know,” said Mummy. They put (on) their coats, gloves, scarves and boots and got in the car and drove to the North Pole. They saw Father Christmas.
Lucian Willers, 5, of Leamington:
On the first day of Christmas Rudolp and Santa arrived at a hedgehog den in the back garden. They looked inside and said “You’re meant to be asleep now.” “I don’t want to miss Christmas. Can I have a ride in your sleigh please?” said the hedgehog in a little voice. “You’re welcome” said Santa.
the children laughed. He got so angry that he unstuck himself. He was never seen again and that was how Santa got stuck up the chimney.
The end.
Jeremy Paxman says:
It’s interesting that in this age group, Christmas begins to be the occasion for darker themes to emerge, like the tsunami and life in an orphanage. But it also produces some good comical writing. I especially enjoyed Benjy Wilson’s explanation of why I haven’t seen Santa for a few years. Ben Dawson’s account of dad standing on the cat has real immediacy to it. But if I have to choose only one, I think it has to be Rachelle Rogerson’s version of why grannies get it wrong.
