A MALVERN St James Girls’ School student is celebrating after winning a prestigious poetry competition which saw her take part in this year’s RAF 100 flypast over Buckingham Palace.
Freiya Elton was one of more than 6,700 young people across the world who entered the competition run by the Never Such Innocence organisation in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and RAF 100 to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
The Year 8 student’s poem ‘The Sopwith Camel’ was selected as the winner of the ‘War in the Skies’ strand in the 11-14 year olds’ category.
After her win, Freiya read her poem to the 300-strong congregation gathered at the Guards’ Chapel in London for the awards ceremony.
She was given a tour of the RAF aircraft display and sat in a Spitfire.
Freiya also took part in the RAF 100 flypast in the RAF’s Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
“Who would have thought entering a poetry competition could result in becoming part of history?!” said Freiya.
“I had a fabulous time.”
Never Such Innocence was founded by Lady Lucy French in March 2014 to enable young people to play their part in the centenary of the First World War through learning, poetry art and music with annual international competitions.
