Oscar wins Patel Poetry prize 2024

Talented pupil Oscar Hart is celebrating after winning the annual Lalita Patel Poetry Competition at South Walney Junior School.

The award was established in 1993 by Walney newsagent Rajesh Patel in memory of his mum who was a big believer in education and died at the age of 39.

The family ran their shop just opposite the school on Amphitrite Street, where Tesco is now situated.

Mr Patel, who now lives in Birmingham, returns every year to present a prize to present the trophy and books to a pupil who has shown the greatest achievement in poetry during the year.

Oscar’s poem The Tweeting Bird is set on the battlefield in wartime and captures the silence after soldiers surrender.

Deputy Headteacher Michelle Banks said the standard was very high again this year and congratulated Oscar and all the runners up.

“The Patel family are 100 per cent committed to education and supporting the school and the pupils love competing for the poetry prize.

“They choose their own style and theme and submit it then we have an assembly with family of the winners present – so if they see their parents when they walk in they know they have won a prize.”

The school, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, has a strong focus on writing and also performing poetry and takes part in the national Poetry by Heart competition.

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