A YOUNG wordsmith from Ealing has won a top national prize after taking creative writing lessons at a youth centre.
Tariq Williams, 13, a student at Elthorne Park High School won the Wicked Young Writers’ Award for his poem ‘Tired All Day’ after joining the Superheroes project at the Horizons Centre in Hanwell.
The workshops were led by established poets and writers, including children’s author and broadcaster Michael Rosen, young poet Caroline Bird and award-winning author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay.
Tariq received his award at a star-studded evening at the Apollo Theatre in central London on December 9, where he met The Duchess of Cornwall and former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.
He said: “When I found out I’d won I had trouble putting it into words. Meeting the Duchess was scary as well because she’s royalty, but she was really nice.
“It was a huge thrill to win the award and I am shocked and very surprised.
“I always thought I couldn’t write, but taking part in the writing project at Horizons showed me that I could have a voice too.
“I’m going to carry on writing and reading and I want to enter more competitions in the future.”
Tariq also won tickets to see the West End show Wicked with a chance to meet the cast afterwards, £50 in book vouchers, and will attend a master class in writing.
Patricia Walker, Ealing Council’s leader for children and young people, said: “I am so proud of Tariq and his outstanding achievements.
“He is obviously very talented and I am pleased that we were able to nurture
that talent through our Superheroes project at the Horizons Centre.”
