Winners Announced In Libraries Short Story Competition
The winner and two runners-up have been announced in a writing competition for adults run by Derbyshire County Council’s library service.
Derbyshire was the theme and libraries were looking for stories of no more than 55 words, in whatever style the writer wished. More than 100 entries were received.
The winning story is by Andy Forsyth from Matlock Bath and is called Leap of Faith:
Trembling on High Tor cliff she spied Matlock Bath folk scurrying ant-like far below. Recalling memories of her short life she realised none of them cared about her fate. It was time. Pointless to delay. She plummeted from the sheer edge. On broad wings the young buzzard soared over the Derwent into the Matlock sky.
Andy will receive a £20 book token.
Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said: “This competition has provided a great opportunity for writers to have their work seen by a wide audience and it is a wonderful way of celebrating our county.
“The entries were of a high standard and I congratulate the winner and runners-up.”
Read the two highly commended runners up by visiting www.derbyshire.gov.uk/55words. They were Longshaw by Ann Lloyd from Dronfield, and Night Shift by Lynn Luddit from Chesterfield.
All eligible entries are being published in an ebook on Derbyshire Libraries' BorrowBox platform and will be available for all customers to read and enjoy.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Communities Invited to Light Up the Derwent Valley with Living Advent Calendars 2026 Residents, community groups, shops and businesses across Darley Abbey, Belper and Cromford are b read more | |
| Businesses Urged To Prepare For Vaping, Nicotine And tobacco Law Changes Businesses selling tobacco, vaping or nicotine products are being urged to get ready for changes in the law read more | |
| Holiday Activity And Food Programme Supports Thousans Of Derbyshire Children Thousands of children and young people are benefiting from free holiday activities and healthy meals tha read more | |
| The Secret of Meadow Hill Manor Butterfly magic and family secrets take centre stage in new Derbyshire fantasy read more | |
| 21,000 uses and counting: Charity backs accessible hospital guides for another three years Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity is funding a further three years of detailed acc read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Pottery Close Halloween Event Taking a Break This Year The popular Halloween event at Pottery Close will not take place this year, as the organisers have not had enough time to prep read more | |
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |













