HBWC – 2020 Winners – The Branford Boase Award and The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition

Six talented young writers, winners of the 2020 Henrietta Branford Writing Competition.

This year there a record number of stories were submitted, and the standard was very high. Muhammad Khan announced the winners on 1st July and said: ‘I’m delighted that my story starter inspired so many excellent stories and it’s made me really happy to hear about young writers turning their hands to writing during lockdown’. The winners received signed copies of the books on the shortlist for the 2020 Branford Boase Award.

Congratulations from Branford Boase Award judge, Prue Goodwin

Congratulations from 2019 Branford Boase Award winner, Muhammad Khan

Aarush Choudhary

aged 10 years from Isleworth

Aarush’s story – a school-based horror adventure – involves escaping an unknown danger; hypnotised school children; strange occurrences in the science lab: and the daring hero toiling away to save the day. Clearly, Aarush is an imaginative and able author.

Read his story: A Suspicious Day At School

Eleanor Hetherington

aged 14 years from London

Eleanor’s story asks what will happen if, and when, the pandemic is finally under control. Will life just return to ‘normal’? Written in a mature, considered style, this story hints at possible changes to come in many aspects of our lives. A very well constructed story which is both prescient and chilling.

Read her story: The Fear

Isabelle Nichols

aged 10 years from Hull

We can ‘hear’ the narrator throughout this story as strange, exciting and nerve-wracking events take place. A really enjoyable read.

Read her story: The Undercover Fairy

Jenny Gillon

aged 16 years from Cockermouth

At the beginning of Jenny’s story, we have no idea of the identity of the narrator. What we do have is a distinct internal image of the setting and a desire to read on. An engrossing read.

Read her story: Death’s Journey

Millie Wilson

aged 11 years from Welling, Kent

With an irresistible opening line, Millie’s story takes us straight into a family trip to the cinema. But in a trice, we are in another place, in another time with the alarming prospect of living in a workhouse. A thoroughly ingenious time-slip tale.

Read her story: May The 4th

Theo Wild

aged 11 years from Ealing, London

A school-based tale with elements of mystery as well as dread. The final line is particularly scary, leaving readers with a terrifying, lingering image.

Read his story: Stitched Up

We also want to highlight the following talented young writers, whose stories are Highly Commended:

Safiya Ahmad, age 17, from Bedford
Amy Barker, age 15, from Bramhall, Stockport
Mia Cheng, age 15, from Manchester
Oscar Croucher age 7, from Gillingham, Kent
Paul de Nonneville, age 13, from London
Erin Firth, age 13, from Bramhall, Stockport
Helena Giles, age 10, from Hitchin, Herts
Mia Hayes, age 13, from Maidstone, Kent
Audrey Davidson Houston, age 15, from Staplehurst, Kent
Ronan Lenane, age 16, from Guildford, Surrey
Honour Lynn, age 13, from London
Kairi Poston, age 14, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Ollie Serruya, age 8, from London
Nina Wood, age 14, from London

BBA & HBWC Administrator

Andrea Reece
30 Winton Avenue, London, N11 2AT
Tel: 0208 889 1292
Mob: 07807 893369
Email: branford.boase@gmail.com

Press Enquiries

Andrea Reece
Tel: 07807 893369 | Email: branford.boase@gmail.com