Polly has announced the winners of her annual children’s Christmas card competition. This year’s winning cards featured strong environmental messages, after a year where protecting nature and tackling ocean pollution were big themes of conversation in Thanet.
The Under 7s prize was won by Otis from Chilton Primary School, with a card highlighting the problem of fly-tipping with a festive Christmas tree twist. Mabel from Ramsgate Arts Primary School and Jacob from Priory Infant School both secured runner up awards.
The Under 11s prize was won by James from Chilton Primary School, with a card featuring Kent’s seal colony and a message about reducing plastic pollution and cleaning up our oceans. Yasmin and Sasha (both also from Chilton Primary) received runner up awards.
The competition was judged by Polly, the artist Bob and Roberta Smith, and James Lawson, chair of Ramsgate Football Club. The competition was sponsored by Ramsgate Football Club, who also provided merchandise as prizes to the winning children.
All primary schools in Ramsgate were invited to take part in the competition, with more than 100 entries received.
Polly said:
“I was bowled over by the talent and creativity of the young artists who entered the competition this year. Children had clearly thought long and hard about how to appeal to the judge’s interests – with entries featuring cats and Ramsgate Harbour among those that really caught my eye!
“However, the cards that really stuck out for the judging panel were those that combined festive fun with a serious message about protecting our natural environment, which is so important to us all living by the seaside.
“I want to congratulate the winners and all the children who took part, and wish everyone in East Thanet a merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
James Lawson, Chair of Ramsgate Football Club, said:
“It was an honour to be asked to help judge Polly’s Christmas card competition on behalf of Ramsgate Football Club. The quality of entries was extremely high, meaning the judges were faced with a really tough task in picking our winners, but the winning cards are absolutely fantastic.
“I hope our winners are enjoying their Ramsgate Football Club hats and scarves, and I want to wish everyone in Ramsgate a very merry Christmas.”