07:44PM, Friday 20 February 2026
Acclaimed author and poet Simon Mole was on hand to lead the judging and help choose the winners of a Bookmark Drawing Art Competition.
The contest, open to all pupils up to 14 years old, was conducted among schools by community led organisers of Maidenhead’s Big Read (MBR).
More than 100 entries were received, both hand-drawn and digitally. Ten winners were selected from pupils across three schools and from digital submissions.
Pupils were invited to design a bookmark which ‘captures the energy of being active’.
The activity looked to explore how stories encourage physical activities, energetic adventures and sports, in support of this year’s MBR theme ‘Get Moving’ and letting ‘Art Move the Story Forward’.
The winning entries were from Oldfield Primary School, Furze Platt Junior School and Boyne Hill Infant School.
They were presented with certificates signed by Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, vouchers for a range of local activities and a copy of the overall winning bookmark.
Selected entries will also be on display at Maidenhead Library, on the MBR website and on social media.
The competition was led by MBR team member Val Pirie as a way of igniting the children’s imaginations and promoting MBR’s upcoming festival, which will take place at Maidenhead Library on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8.
An array of authors, illustrators and craft and competition activities will be on offer at the library.
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