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
| Police Appeal for Information Following Assault in Ripley Derbyshire Police are appealing for help to identify two men following an assault inside Association nightclub in Ripley. read more | |
| Launch of Derby's 50:50 celebrations: Free festival of culture and creativity to take over city A vibrant celebration of culture and community is set to transform the city centre to read more | |
| New Fund To Help Derbyshire Households With Rising Cost Of Fuel A new fund is being launched by Derbyshire County Council to support vulnerable households who rely on heating oil or read more | |
| Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire during May 2026 Derbyshire Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (C.R.E.S.T) will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement read more | |
| National Tramway Museum Secures £492,880 Investment to Safeguard Great Exhibition Hall The National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire has been awarded £492,880 from Ar 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 | |













