It brings some cheers to the bleak midwinter when the Citizen (November 30) can bring tidings of success for some of the younger generation in the area who are making use of their talents.

Turning the pages we read that Southlands High School has not only a champion cross country team, but also a champion chef (good to know at this time of year).

Then an eight-year-old ballerina has won her way through auditions to perform with the English Youth Ballet at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Two students at Holy Cross High School have had their talents recognised; one for her singing ability and one for her writing.

Also, the winning of the Hans Christian Anderson writing competition by year five pupils of St Mary's Primary School is indeed a praiseworthy achievement.

Reading that they had to create a new twist to one of his stories really interested me, because I recently won a similar competition. This was by the Thomas Hardy Society which required the writing of an alternative outcome to an incident involving Sergeant Troy in Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd.

It all seems to prove that it can be rewarding to accept the challenge of competitions.

Over the past months this is what I have tried to do as a member of the Lancashire Authors Association and the Society of Civil and Public Service Writers, and I have enjoyed considerable success.

The Lancashire Authors Association was founded in 1909, not just for writers but "For Writers or Lovers of Lancashire Literature and History", including Lancashire dialect.

New members are welcomed, so perhaps at a future date some of Chorley's young writers may consider joining. For further details, call 01254 56788.

James Lancaster

Russell Square, Chorley