Aspiring writers from Newcastle College win Newcastle Borough Council’s poetry competition

The group of talented learners aged 18-22 from the college’s supported internship programme worked together on this piece of work, titled “Our Story”.

This thought provoking piece refers to the extreme lengths women went to in order to gain the right to vote. The plaque featuring the poem now takes pride of place, close to the stunning steel silhouette representing local legend Vera Brittain’s journey towards pacifism and the women’s suffrage movement following the First World War. Local stonemason, Wilf Burt has kindly sponsored the competition as part of the annual Britain in Bloom campaign which incorporated women’s suffrage in this year’s gold standard entry.

The group of NSCG students were invited along to the unveiling of the plaque with The Worshipful the Mayor and Councillor Simon White.

Councillor Mark Holland from Newcastle Borough Council, said: “I would like to congratulate the college group on their fantastic achievement.

“Our poetry competition is a great way to inspire young people to be creative and at the same time improve the appearance of the environment for residents and visitors. It is hoped this brilliant and moving poem leaves another lasting legacy at the beautiful Brampton Park of the sacrifices made during the Great War.”

Rob Sigley, Curriculum Leader for Life Skills & Employment Training at Newcastle College, added: “Our learners are over the moon to have had their work recognised and immortalised within the Brampton Park for all who visit to see and read. They have each displayed a real passion for researching and collaboratively writing about the suffragette movement and we are extremely proud of their contributions.”