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
| Residents Urged To Temporarily Limit Fridge And Freezer Disposals By Derbyshire County Countil Steps are being taken by Derbyshire County Council to temporarily limit the number of read more | |
| South Normanton Shop closed in partnership operation On Wednesday, PCSO Hunt from the Amber Valley SNT assisted Derbyshire County Councils Trading Standards department with inspecti read more | |
| Have you spotted an orangutan cycling around Amber Valley? Alfreton man Peter McEvoy is preparing to cycle 425 miles from Sheffield to Paris dressed as an orangutan, raising money f read more | |
| Partnership agreement marks another milestone for the Market Place redevelopment The transformation of Derby's Market Place has taken another step forward, with the signing of a Mas read more | |
| 75% of Derby and Derbyshire residents now signed up to the NHS App Nearly three-quarters of people in Derby and Derbyshire are now registered to use the NHS App, following a surge i read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| 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 | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |













