In the 15-18s age group the fabulous winners are:

Art: Molly Clark

I believe that when God speaks he offers a pathway of light that can help people out of the dark. My piece is loosely inspired by traditional renaissance artists and the stunning stain glass windows often seen in places of worship, allowing light to pour in and dance across the walls.

Photography: Hannah Northin

Poem: Kate Forbes

What is God saying? 

There once was a time before sitting at home
when lives were busy and far we did roam.
Cafes were open and shops were packed
thinking and thanking for family lacked.
Planes clogged the sky
And bees could not fly,
clothes upon clothes made mountains so high.

The World it grew warmer
But we turned a cold shoulder,
Why worry or care, what could go wrong?
Who thought we would soon be changing our song.
Bikes trainers scooters and kites turned to dust
all oldie and mouldie, covered in rust.
No time for outdoors or even fresh air
As money rolled in and blue lights did blare.

Bookshelves lay empty and beds left unmade,
Maybe God just glanced down and decided to trade,
with a snap of his fingers and a cheeky old grin
he let out a sneeze, so did Covid begin.

Shut were the shops,
the clubs and the bars,
no more were the schools, markets, bazars.
Gone too was the hustle the bustle and treats
We all sat at home avoiding the streets.

No jetting allowed,
Not one single crowd
No beaches or sea
No sun tan for we

My exams! My business! My plans to go far!
What about my festivals, friends and foie gras?
But God sat and watched and waited and watched
until it sank in that our plans were all botched.

So we sat and we thought and waited and whined
For lockdown to finish not too far behind,
China, Italy and US combined.
But the death toll still rises so we are confined
To drinking and thinking of better days gone by
When a hug cost so little and no one cared why.

Now God in the clouds looks down from above
And spies a new world, shrouded with love.
Streams running and clear
And no soot to be seen!
The world has pressed pause -
Shut up shop and closed its doors.

Plane upon plane disappeared without trace!
But what can be said for the whole human race?
Now running and jumping
And Painting and Zooming.
We now clap for those working
Where Corona is lurking.

They make do with without beaches
And festival fun,
Some gloomy, some glad some angered as one.
It’s hit us all different, but that's still ok
Because we listen to news and hope everyday
That family, friends, co workers and all,
Stay safe in this time and more often we call,
The ones that we care for
Love and adore.

Touch turns to words
And hugs are now screens
But finally maybe we know what it means
To have what we have and know what we know
So God hopes, that when Corona will go,
We remember the lessons we've learnt good and well
That while sitting indoors can seem to be hell,
The animals return and we've become more aware
Of those that surround and how to take care,
Of the old and the sick and the lame and the new
The ones we forgot existed here too.

So although some days, it all seems to be
A very cruel trick played by God, I think he -
Would want us to remember all this when it's over
And not to revert to our actions all over.
New skills we have learnt and passions aflow,
So once free to choose where we shall go
Still we will care and still we will fight
A new world will blossom
And all will be right.

But maybe i'm wrong, or maybe i'm right
Who is to say what futures in sight.
I suppose if I guessed what it is God would say
If he decided to give his opinion one day.
Maybe, that it's our choice how we act
If we change what we do, and whether in fact,
We remember the lessons we learnt long ago
When Covid came knocking to put on a show. 

 Kate Forbes