FOUR Forest writers were awarded prizes by Coleford author AndrewTaylor as part of Coleford Festival of Words (CFW) on Saturday (July 8).

Winners of the competition, with the theme ‘I’m Reading’ were announced at a ceremony at Coleford Baptist Hall. The winner was Deborah Gregory with Postcard. She won £30 donated by Chepstow Bookshop. In second place was Val Ormerod with The Joy of Words and third was Paul Stephens-Wood with Reading My World. The youth award was won by Izzy Daly, aged 13, from Tutshill, with Him.

Roger Deeks from the ’Reading the Forest’ project, who sponsored the youth award in the writing competition said: “We were delighted with Izzy’s success and the quality of her contribution that reminded you of the impact of bereavement on children caused by the First World War.

“Izzy follows a long tradition of women authors from the Forest, such as Winifred Foley, who have written powerful stories that resonate with the reader. We hope her success will encourage other young, aspiring writers to enter the competition next year.

The festival, which began on Monday, July 3, culminated in an event at Hopewell Colliery on Sunday, July 9 with Berry Hill silver band, Six-Foot Way folk band providing entertainment.

CFW organiser Cheryl Mayo said: “On Sunday we were guests of Richard Daniels at the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Forest Charter at Hopewell Colliery Museum and were delighted to see old friends including poets Maggie Clutterbuck, Keith Morgan and Annie Cavill. It was an informative and relaxed end to a busy week celebrating literature and the Forest of Dean.”

Mr Deeks added: “The very successful CFW ended with a celebration of the charter at Hopewell on Sunday. Lydbrook primary school were particularly dazzling when they recited a poem, The Miner from memory.”

For more information on CFW visit www.thecolefordhub.info/thefestivalofwords. For information about the Reading the Forest project, which is part of the Foresters’ Forest partnership, visit www.readingtheforest.co.uk