2026 SCHOOLS POETRY COMPETITION
On 10th July, The Matchgirls Memorial was delighted to be hosted by the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives in Bancroft Road for our annual schools poetry competition prize giving event. We presented prizes to the winners in years 4, 5 and 6 from the participating schools, William Patten Primary School and Blue Gate Fields Junior School. All that took part were congratulated, there was a short talk about the 1888 Matchgirls Strike, noting that this month was very special as it marked 138 years since the Strike began.
Thanks to our poetry judges this year, Dr Anna Robinson, and Fawzia Kane.
Winning entries can be found here:
FIRST PRIZE WINNING ENTRIES
Year 4: The Marvellous Matchgirls by Sumayyah
Year 5: The strike that changed the WORLD by Nina
Year 6: The Matchstick Girls by Arya
SECOND PRIZE WINNING ENTRIES
Year 4: The Matchgirls Spark by Marloe
Year 5: Every day is work by Arfa
Year 6: In 1888, a long time ago by Grace
THIRD PRIZE WINNING ENTRIES
Year 4: Our Daily Struggle by Nura
Year 5: Strike a Match = Light a Fire by Taskin and Jibreel