Top young poets in Boston receive surprise visit by The Worshipful the Mayor

The 'Celebrating Boston' poetry competition for children under the age of 16 was introduced earlier in the summer as part of the 'Pride of Place' initiative led by the Borough Council.

The entries were received from across the borough and were judged prior to the announcement by Cllr Dorrian.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Boston, Cllr Anne Dorrian, said: "The entries for the 'Celebrating Boston' competition were of extremely high quality and it was very difficult for me to choose a winner and runner-up. These youngsters have taken their knowledge of the history of Boston and used it skilfully in their poetry writing, and I am really proud that we have such imaginative writers in our town. I was impressed too, by the evidence of excellent teaching in the submissions which I read, so credit must also go to the staff of the English department.

"It was a real honour for me to be part of the judging panel and the subsequent prize giving. Well done to all that took part!"

The winning poem was written by Mohammed Zayan Raja, age 12 and here it is:

Celebrating Boston

Boston is small and historic

But its legacy is meteoric

The Pilgrim Fathers from our tiny town

Are remembered in the USA with great renown

They set sail long ago to new lands and freedom

Never to return to our United Kingdom

From the port of Boston past riches were made

Wool from our sheep exchanged in trade

Shipped to the Netherlands is the story

And the money returned

Building Boston's glory

The beautiful buildings hark back to this past

St Botolph's Stump and Bridge

Were built to last.

Step inside the church and you have to wonder

Is this design made to worship number?

There is a year of windows, a week of doors

A day of steps and many more

Are these a clue a sign

That everything relates to time? *

Boston Grammar is a seat of learning

It teaches pupils to be hard-working

They all aspire to be like J Van Tam

The Alumnus who executed the vaccine plan