Carlton boy wins writing competition celebrating Clumber Park bridge restoration

An eight-year-old boy from Carlton in Lindrick has won a National Trust writing competition with a story celebrating the restoration of Clumber Park’s Ornamental Bridge.
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In George Brown’s untitled story - over 6,000 words long - a group of woodland creatures such as foxes, badgers and hedgehogs play a gig at the ruined bridge - raising money to fund repairs.

Proud dad Steve Brown, 39, said judges picked the youngster’s entry over thousands of other entries in the ages 5-9 category because ‘the writing exceeded his age range’.

Speaking about the win Steve said ‘he’s just so overwhelmed somebody apart from his teachers and family has recognised his work’.

Talented George BrownTalented George Brown
Talented George Brown

The competition was launched to mark the completion of a project to restore Clumber Park’s Ornamental Bridge after vandals destroyed it in March 2018 - smashing a car into its pillars.

However in June this year work to repair the 18th century structure was finished.

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The National Trust saw the bridge painstakingly reconstructed - using sections of the original stonework recovered from the River Poulter along with specially-created stone.

The vandalised and restored Ornamental BridgeThe vandalised and restored Ornamental Bridge
The vandalised and restored Ornamental Bridge

George’s dad Steve told how his dedicated son spent ‘hours’ every day working on his story - illustrated with beautiful drawings.

He said: “George is so passionate about writing - people say all kids are interested in these days is computers but not every child is like that.

“With all the negativity going around we just thought it was worth shouting about this because he is so good at what he does - he deserves some recognition.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.