Discover the Winning Poems from our Christmas Writing Competition

17th December 2025

Drawing on winter memories both big and small, this year’s writing competition invited writers of all ages to explore the meaning of the season in and around Reading.

We were delighted by the warmth, imagination and sense of Reading's place woven through every entry. Our panel was moved by the creativity and care shown across all age categories, and we’d like to thank everyone who took the time to submit their work.

We’re thrilled to announce the winners and highly commended poets below, whose pieces stood out for their originality, strong sense of place and beautiful use of language. 

Poetry Competition Winners

Children

• Winner: Jacob Ross — 'The Magic of Christmas in Reading'
• Highly Commended: Shengbai Wu — 'We’re Going to Find a Santa'

Young Adult

• Winner: Emilia Grau-Twamley — 'Snapshot of Christmas'
• Highly Commended: Mia Clarke — 'Christmas in Reading'

Adult

• Winner: Cora Groveland — 'Christmas in Reading'
• Highly Commended:
  • Tessa Sanderson — 'A Reading Christmas with Grandma'
  • Amy Huntington — 'Christmas in Reading'

We invite you to take a moment and enjoy these winning pieces — a festive snapshot of winter life in Reading, as seen through local voices.

Read the Winning Entries

'The Magic of Christmas in Reading' by Jacob Ross

Dashing through the snow
Dodging every throw
Throwing a snowball
Hide in broad street mall
Walking past the lights
They are glowing bright
Lighting up the Christmas Tree
Its lights are special to see
Winter Wonderland
Enjoy a brass band
The best place to have some fun
Ride a coaster everyone
Toy shops are great fun
Have toys by the tonne
Christmas cheer is all around
Choirs singing in the town
Santa Claus is on his way
Bringing toys for kids to play
Sleep now Reading don’t make a sound
Santa Claus is coming to town

'Snapshot of Christmas' by Emilia Grau-Twamley

snap!
the camera blinks
a moment captured perfectly
me and my friends
in front of a giant, lit up bauble

snap!
another blink
another perfect moment
it’s us again, holding he biggest muffins
we could find in the market

snap!
a third photo
this time, we’re in M&S
and I’m holding the Christmas crackers
like a hard-earned trophy

snap!
here, my friend is lying on the floor
because she slipped on a frozen puddle
trying to get to the Oracle 
I took the picture before helping her up

snap!
we’re together again,
posing in front of a stall
holding an extra-large pic’n’mix bag,
each. (she didn’t want to share)

snap!
a fifth and final photo
we’re standing beneath a Christmas tree
three times as big as us
and about ten times as bright
fake snow is settling in our hair
and our smiles are the widest 
they’ve been in a while

my friend posts the picture online
and titles it:
“a snapshot of Christmas in Reading"

'Christmas in Reading' by Cora Groveland

I had barely turned just six months old
When the fire grew bright and the nights turned cold
And the tree was something to behold
On my first Christmas in Reading

We rode the model trains in Prospect Park
While leaf-bare trees stood cold and stark
Until Christmas lights lit up the dark
On my third Christmas in Reading

A shepherd, a wise man, and an angel bright
Sang ‘Away in a manger’ and ‘Silent night’
As the school nativity took flight
On my sixth Christmas in Reading

In Broad Street Mall the decorations shone
As we hunted for gifts for our loved ones
Thoughts of Broad Street doughnuts spurred us on
On my tenth Christmas in Reading

As the bells rang out for the term to end
Grey suits and red jumpers on riverside did descend
To ring in the season with cherished school friends
On my thirteenth Christmas in Reading

Once the snow fell thick on the Forbury band stand
The gardens transformed to a white wonderland
A battalion with snowballs took their last stand
On my sixteenth Christmas in Reading

I stepped on to the station from hours on the train
From far flung studies to the old refrain
Of a town that felt like home again
On my nineteenth Christmas in Reading

Now crowds gather on Broad Street for the lights to switch on
And the Oracle shoppers swarm hither and yon
Whilst the shops all are playing this year's number one
It's the start of Christmas in Reading

So though there's no more doughnuts, nice and fresh
From the kiosk down by BHS
There's a Christmas market of new treats to test
And it's still Christmas in Reading