THE COTSWOLD CHALLENGE – SUPPORTING PROACTIVE TEENAGERS TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT

Five business owners who live in and around the Cotswolds have come together to support local young people who have had their GCSEs and A levels cancelled.

The initiative was developed solely to support 16 to 19 year olds in the Cotswolds area to give them something creative to do and offer them the chance to excel, gain a sense of achievement and self-worth and maybe win a monetary prize.  The Challenge launches today (April 20) and remains open until noon on Monday June 1. 

Young people who take part must live in the Cotswolds area and for those under the age of 18 parental or guardian permission will be sought if they wish to participate. It does not matter which school they attend. A briefing pack and entry details are available via the website www.thecotswoldchallenge.com

The Challenge has been divided into three categories Art & Design; Creative Writing; Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking with a first, second, third and fourth prize in each category of £500, £300, £150, £50 and runners up will get a book token. 

The prize money has already been donated in full by sponsors. Winners will also be able to pitch for additional funds to take ‘the next step’ in showcasing their work eg. publishing their poem or short story in a local publication, staging their own art exhibition or taking an idea to an early prototype stage. 

Sponsors for the project include:

• The Fred And Marjorie Sainsbury Charitable Trust
• Jeevan Thandi of Karhoo
• Timothy James & Partners, independent financial advisers 
• Jason Houghton, Salperton Park Estate, Cheltenham 
• The Fairford & Lechlade Business Club 
• Royal Agricultural University, Gloucestershire  
• The Paperback Shop, of Fairford
• Marion Whittaker 
• Author Kevin Wignall
• Meg Rivers Bakery, of Shipston On Stour 
• Suzannah Harvey, CEO of Cotswold Airport
• Kim Harvey of The MadHatter Bookshop, of Burford. 
• Nicky Godding, founder of Business & Innovation Magazine
• John Biddulph, of Rodmarton Manor
• Emma & Jamie Tuck of Bulldog Websites, of Swindon 
• Allison Murray of Allison Murray Design, of Eastleach
• Barry Jackson, of Aspire Academy
• Bettina Harvey of Hector & Queen

Nigel Chute, of Chute Design said: “We are so grateful to our business contacts who have, without hesitation, supported this project. They see the value to the community and to the young people involved and they’ve fallen over themselves to help. In fact due to their support we’ve been able to offer more than we originally envisaged.”

Entries will be judged by a team of well-known people who have themselves achieved success in their own sector or business. (see the list of judges below in the Editor’s Notes).

Brand expert Allison Murray, of Allison Murray Design, is one of the entrepreneurs behind the project who call themselves The Cotswold Collective. 

She said: “Many of the young entrepreneurs of tomorrow no longer have any direction because their formal exams have been cancelled; some don’t know if they can get into colleges or universities in September and many can’t even get part-time jobs or see their friends at the moment. Their world has ground to a halt at a time when they expected the opposite. 

“We felt we wanted to make a small, positive gesture in this community to tell young people that we value them and want to see them flourish and encourage them to follow their dreams even during lockdown and Covid19.” 

The Cotswold Collective, who have all donated their time free of charge to this project, are:  

Allison Murray – of Allison Murray Design which is an award-winning design agency based in the Cotswolds working with entrepreneurs and brand owners to create unique confident and creative branding. Clients include Lynwood & Co, Thyme at Southrop and Made by Bob. Allison, aged 54, lives in Eastleach, Gloucestershire. 

Chris Roberts MBE  - the founder of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club and administrator for nearly 15 years, freelance journalist and facilitator, whose strap line is “I can make things happen!” Chris, aged 72, lives in Fairford.

Nigel Chute – of Chute Design. Nigel has been in the business of developing, protecting and exploiting new product opportunities for more than 30 years.   Besides his consultancy he has also successfully marketed his own designs and taken equity in start-ups.  He is an experienced mentor for enterprise in youngsters. Nigel, aged 59, lives in Cirencester. 

Barry Jackson – runs Aspire Academy and his mission is to collaborate with business leaders, to develop programs to address the skills gaps for young people seeking work after leaving school/college/university. He offers group training  to young people whose aspirations are to thrive in an increasingly challenging job market. He’s the author of “Your First Job: How to Sabotage Your Career in 8 Easy Steps.” Barry, aged 72, lives in Churchdown, Gloucestershire. 

Fiona Scott – of Fiona Scott Media. Fiona is a journalist who has been in the media for over 30 years working in print and then in television. She also runs her own agency helping businesses raise their profile through the media, videography, animation and social media. Fiona, aged 54, lives in Swindon and one of her daughters has also missed out on her A’ levels due to Covid19. 

Judges for The Cotswold Challenge are: 

Art & Design:

Val & Martin Adamson, of The Sculpture Studio, of Stroud 

Lady Bathurst – the Right Honourable Countess Bathurst, also a former High Sheriff of Gloucestershire

George Butler – award-winning artist and illustrator specialising in travel & current affairs

Tracey Elphick – professional artist based at New Brewery Arts in Cirencester

Darrell Warner – award-winning artist and illustrator specialising in the medium of watercolour

Creative Writing: 

Paul Cornell – novelist, screen writer (including Doctor Who) and comics writer. 

Simon Kernick – thriller and crime writer, books include Relentless and Payback

Sarah Pinborough – writer of young adults and adult thrillers and an accomplished screenwriter. 

Kevin Wignall  - thriller writer, his books include The Names Of The Dead and When We Were Lost 

Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking: 

Geoff Burch – business expert and public speaker 

Phil Duff – business management professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the international equestrian market.

Nicky Godding – editor & founder of Business & Innovation Magazine

Suzannah Harvey – CEO of Cotswold Airport 

Adam Henson – farmer and tv presenter best known as a regular on the BBC series Countryfile

Caroline Summers – sales director of The Paperback Shop

Jeevan Thandi – founder of Karhoo, a digital software platform to connect taxi firms to big brands, organisations.

Special judges (those who will support across categories depending on number of entries)

Verity Manners – co-owner of family run Wrag Barn Golf Club and Conference Venue, of Highworth and presenter on Swindon 105.5. 

Details of the competition, the criteria for entry and the briefing pack are all available via the website www.thecotswoldchallenge.com