Brooks judges Big Ben competition for local schoolchildren

Brooks is currently judging the competition entries for the Big Ben 150th anniversary Christmas card design competition.The competition theme is 'Parliament and Big Ben' and was launched to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Big Ben this year.

The competition is divided into four age categories: Reception and Years 1-2, Years 3-6, Years 7-9 and Years 10-13. Brooks will pick an overall winner from all of the entries he receives and a runner-up from each of the four age categories. These entries will then move forward to the next stage of judging.

The prizes for the winners of the competition include climbing to the top of Big Ben, meeting the Keeper of The Great Clock and the Clock Mechanics, touring the House of Commons, and a Big Ben anniversary gift pack, limited edition badge and certificate. The prizes will be presented at a reception in the House of Commons.

Brooks say, "I think this competition is a great way for young people to get involved with what we do here at Westminster and for them to understand more about the fascinating history of the building we work in.

I have to confess that I was not expecting to be looking at Christmas cards at the start of spring, but I am definitely enjoying looking at all of the different entries children and young people from the constituency have sent in. I am very impressed with the amount of hard work that has clearly gone into the entries, and for the imagination and creativity they show. However, picking out just one winner and four runners-up from all of the entries is proving to be a lot harder than I thought!"

Photo: Brooks judges Big Ben competition for local schoolchildren