Organisers of the Long Street Summer Social are on the hunt for a mystery young author after the winning entry in a special children’s book competition was announced last month – but the winner forgot to include their name.
The winning story outline, titled “Spring Chickens”, was submitted by a local child thought to be aged between 9 and 11. The imaginative tale follows a group of chickens travelling the world in search of spring – but will they make it back in time for winter?
The story charmed a distinguished judging panel, which included award-winning children’s illustrator Seb Braun, Hilary Murray Hill (Chair, Hachette Children’s Group), Emma Dangar and Poppy Lamb (KLB A-Level students in English Literature and Graphic Art), and published writers Fred Hulls and Jeremy McGovern.
The competition formed part of the Long Street Summer Social, held in Wotton-under-Edge on Saturday 30 August. Despite heavy showers, thousands attended the event, which featured live music, children’s activities, street food, drinks, independent vendors, and competitions celebrating young creativity.
Fred Hulls, co-founder of the Good Food Kitchen & Bar and event organiser, said: “We all absolutely loved the concept of this story, and were totally gutted that when we announced the winner they didn’t come forward. We hoped that, even though their name wasn’t on the entry, the writer would be in the audience. We really hope they will see this article, as they deserve the chance to have their story developed.”
The organisers are giving the anonymous winner one more week to come forward before awarding the prize to another entrant. Second place was shared between “The Homing Pigeon” by Rupert Searle and Bernie Bond, and “Jaxon The Underdog” by Flossie Hughes.
The winning book will be professionally developed and published, with a small print run by Cotswold Letterpress. Copies will go on sale at Christmas Under The Edge, Wotton’s festive celebration on Saturday 6 December 2025, 4–8pm.
Hilary Murray Hill added: “It was a privilege to be involved in this imaginative competition. The standard of the children’s work was extremely high and it is encouraging to see so much imagination, thought and vision for exciting stories and frequently hilarious or emotional illustrations. I hope at least one of the entrants will go on to create more of their own books one day – and see them published.”
