News

RECORD-EQUALLING ENTRY FOR WILLS WRITING AWARDS

Entries for the 18th annual Wills Writing Awards closed on  Sunday 28 February with a record-equalling entry of 169, the same as in 2009 and well ahead of the previous record of 132, established in 1995 and 2007.

Of these, 82 (2008: 64) were in the under 26 category, 48 (2008: 44) were in the under 19 category and 39 (2008: 61) were in the under 15 category. The record entry in the senior, under 26, category is particularly pleasing. 

The expected timetable is as follows:

• By Wednesday 17 March, entrants will learn whether or not they have been shortlisted.
• By Wednesday 31 March, those shortlisted will learn, confidentially, whether or not they are winner or runner-up in their category.
• On Wednesday 14 April, the results will be publicly announced and the awards presented at Newmarket Racecourse.

Notes for Editors:

The Wills Writing Awards are for creative writing around a horseracing theme by young people resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

The Awards are organised by the Martin Wills Memorial Trust, a UK-registered charity. The Trust commemorates Martin Wills, a journalist and amateur jockey, who died in 1992, aged 39.

Enquiries:

Charles Ponsonby       020-7367 8851/charles.ponsonby@bankside.com
(Chairman, Martin Wills Memorial Trust)