Eastbourne's Freya One Of Ten Budding Young Poets Having Work Displayed On UK's Largest Rail Network

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) – the UK’s largest train company – has today announced the 10 winners of its national poetry competition, following fierce competition.

With a rail network that spans 11 counties, the competition received entries from all across the country, from children ages 5 to 13.

Born from research that showed the majority of parents (80%) wish they could keep children entertained on the train without the help of tech, the competition aimed to reduce screen time by sparking kids’ imaginations and creativity.

The rail operator partnered with author and children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, to judge the entries and select the final 10 winners.

Joseph Coelho commented:

"It's been such a joy to see these young writers inspired by the various destinations on the GTR Network.

"They have written about the "Clickety-Clack" of the tracks and the views from the train windows and have brought to life trips ranging from Brighton to London, from Cambridge to St Neots.

"May these young poet's writing adventures continue to awe and inspire."

The 10 winners are: 

• Brilliant Brighton – by George 

• Clickety Clack, Brighton and back – by Edie 

• In the heart of Cambridgeshire – by Marie & Aleena 

• In Blackfriars – by Maya 

• A day by the sea – by Freya 

• I want you to visit me in Brighton – by Matylda 

• Amazing Arundel – by Hannah 

• The train to Brighton – by Gillian 

• Ode to Worthing – by Lucy 

• London Bridge – by Teddy 

Entrants were tasked with writing a short poem about their favourite place to visit by train, with a chance to have their work displayed on trains and at stations across the GTR network this summer.

What’s more, the winners will also receive free travel for a return journey on Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern or Gatwick Express – perfect for taking in the sights by train. 

Jenny Sanders, Customer Services Director at GTR, said:

“It was great to see so many children releasing their inner poets and entering our competition.

"There are so many great places to write about on our network that we had a really hard job whittling the entries down.

"Thanks to everyone that entered, the competition was tough, and I must say a huge well done to our chosen winners”