FREE Spooky Short Story Competition
For under 10s and 10s – 15s
‘The Side Splitter’
A little bit about us:
Imagine if your family had kept almost every single piece of paper that passed through their hands, for hundreds of
years.
What would you have? Where would you keep it? What stories could you share?
Cotesbach Educational Trust, a heritage education charity just outside of Lutterworth,
South Leicestershire was formed after just such a discovery.
The Marriott family, residents of Cotesbach Estate for 250 years, stored away receipts, letters, diaries, maps, deeds and
more offering a rich picture of every day housekeeping to current affairs and global adventures in Georgian and Victorian
times.
Imagine that!
Find out more about us at www.cotesbachschoolhouse.org.uk
The competition:
As you can probably tell, we absolutely love stories, so we’ve launched this
Spooky Short Story Competition and can’t wait to read your work.
Use the information on the following page, pick an image from the four options,
fill in an entry form and you’re away!
We’re not after anything toooooo scary and a funny twist would be great.
On Friday 30th October (times to be confirmed), we will be holding mini ‘Silly Spooky Suppers’ in our Grade II listed
Schoolhouse, with readings from some of our favourite entries.
This is part of Museums at Night, a twice yearly event where
UK museums, galleries and heritage sites have the opportunity to throw open their doors after hours to showcase their
treasures in unexpected ways. It is a social as well as a learning experience, where visitors can get involved and delve
deeper into fascinating subjects.
Theme:
Use one of the following images found in our Archive as inspiration for your story.
Let us know which image you chose when entering (A, B, C or D)
Remember - We’re not after anything toooooo scary and a funny twist would be great.
IMAGE A
IMAGE B
IMAGE C
IMAGE D
Terms and conditions:

Entry is FREE

Entrants to ‘The Side Splitter’ must be under 15.

Entries must be written in English and be your own work

Entries must not contain defamatory, obscene, offensive, or any other unsuitable material

Entries must be 500 words maximum (not including the theme paragraph)

Entries to be emailed on a Word document in Arial 12 font to storycompetition@cotesbachschoolhouse.org.uk

Competition winners and runners-up will be notified by email no later than 21st October

The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into

Silly Spooky Suppers featuring selected entry readings from the under 15s categories will be a paid for, ticketed
event on Friday 30th October. Full details tbc nearer to the time.

The first prize in all categories is a £10 National Book Token OR Afternoon Tea (hot drink and cakes) for two at
the Stable Yard Café on Cotesbach Estate. Winners will be sent a voucher.

The runners-up prize in all categories is a £5 National Book Token
….. Best of luck!