PUPILS from Holsworthy Primary School have won a poetry competition.

Primary school pupils across Devon were asked to create a poem containing positive actions that people can take to reduce waste. The competition was run to celebrate the launch of new literacy teaching packs ‘What about Waste?’ created to promote 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle — in schools.

Heidi Diepold, waste education officer at Devon County Council, said: “We had an amazing response. We received nearly 350 entries from nine different schools. The entries were really creative and beautifully written; it was really difficult to choose the winners, so we decided to create four highly commended awards as well.”

Devon poet and writer Matt Harvey was impressed by the imaginative, moving, funny and exciting poems: “They contained really powerful emotive language and clear imagery. This competition is a great way that children can engage with such an important theme. They are the future and should be encouraged to take on an ambassador role to keep the adults’ behaviour in check.”

The prizes were presented by Mr Harvey and he treated children and school staff to a recitation of some of his poetry. Mr Harvey’s way with words has taken him from children’s stories and poetry books, to being the poet laureate at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. He also regularly appears on Radio 4 and the Edinburgh Festival.

The winning poet, Kara, was given a family day ticket to Paignton Zoo and runner-up Tyler received goodies made from recycled materials.

The school won £250 of garden centre vouchers and a selection of children’s books about waste and recycling.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.