Mollie span a yarn for competition

The 11-year-old year 7 pupil put pen to paper having been inspired by the museum’s Jacquard Loom and Coventry’s association with the ribbon industry.

Her 500-word tale A Bird In the Loom tells the touching story of two Victorian girls struggling to survive the grim conditions at Cash’s factory.

Mollie was awarded her prize by The Belgrade Theatre’s Pantomime Dame, Nanny Knot, and Touch FM’s Breakfast show presenter Brody Swain.

A recording of Nanny Knot reading Mollie’s story was aired on Touch FM as part of her prize.

When interviewed by Mr Swain Mollie said: “When I was told I just screamed with surprise, I couldn’t believe it. I spent a long time planning and researching the history before I had a go at writing it. I left the story for a while and then went back to it. The most difficult thing was getting it under 500 word limit.”

Princethorpe College’s Coordinator for the Most Able Ms Helen Pascoe Williams described Mollie’s story,

“I agree with the Judges’ decision. This is a fantastically evocative glimpse into the past. It shows real flair and control of the short story form.”