Author: Pauline

In view of the interest generated by the recent High Weald Wild about Dark Skies Festival (28 Oct-10 Nov), the editorial board of The Messenger Magazine have decided to extend the deadline for our  Children’s Creative Writing competition (previously announced in the September issue of the Messenger) to 15^th November, 2024

The Festival aims to celebrate the High Weald’s dark skies and raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution – on wildlife, climate change and our own wellbeing – and how we can help reduce it.

Our writing competition  is designed to inspire and celebrate children’s responses to this topic. It is open to all children aged 5-11 living or attending school in the area served by the Messenger. We  invite entries of poems, or short stories or articles (maximum 250 words) on any aspect of the theme of Dark Skies. Here are some questions to get them thinking:

• • What’s special about dark skies and why do they matter?
  • What are your own experiences of the dark?
  • What  can you see in the night sky?
  • What do you like about the moon and stars?
  • What are the stories behind constellation names?
  • Why is darkness important to wildlife?
  • What would happen to animals, birds and insects if it stayed light all the time?

The new deadline for entries is  15^th November, 2024 and results will be announced in the new year. Prizes will be awarded in the two age categories:
– Young 5-7 years
– Junior 8-11 years.

The winners in each age category will each receive a £20 book token from Rother Books and their entries will be published in The Messenger. Runners up from each of the four villages will receive a £10 token.  All entrants will receive a special Dark Skies bookmark.  Your school may be taking part in the competition but individual entries are also very welcome.

Competition Rules

• Subject: “Dark Skies”
• Word count: Up to 250 words (excluding title)
• Judging criteria: Originality, engagement with theme, language (entries will not be judged on spelling and grammar)
• Only one entry per child
• Entries must be the original work of the child and should be submitted by a responsible adult (parent/guardian or teacher with parental consent).
• By submitting, the responsible adult grants permission for winning entries to be published in The Messenger. Copyright remains with the author
• Child’s name & age on 15^th November 2024 should be included with their entry, along with address and contact details (which will not be published) for notification of results.
• Entries may be handwritten or typed and submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to
  The Messenger Children’s Writing Competition,
  Hunters Farm, Kent Lane, Brightling TN32 5HU
• Entries must arrive by midnight  15^th November 2024; late entries cannot be considered
• The judges’ decisions are final

As previously announced, Dallington is participating in this year’s High Weald Wild about Dark Skies Festival. Running from Saturday 28 October to Sunday 10 November 2024, the Festival promises a fortnight of stargazing, workshops, talks, walks and fun family activities. Find out more at https://highweald.org/get-involved/dark-skies/wild-about-dark-skies-festival/

In Dallington, local expert Doug Edworthy (Fellow of the Royal  Astronomical Society)  will be giving a talk about the wonders of the stars and the impact of light  pollution on nature, people and the sky . This will take place at Dallington Old School Village Hall on Saturday 2^nd November at 7.30. That is the weekend of the new moon, which means it will be particularly dark so we may be able to enjoy the skies on the way to and from the hall.

Dallington School is also joining in with the festival.  Paul Cox, Head Teacher, reports that the older children are currently working on a project based around the Dallington Village Dark Skies Festival. They have been visited by the amazing Rachel Bennington, who works for the High Weald. They have done lots of wonderful work around the stars and light pollution. They will also be writing some poems around the night sky – to be entered for the Messenger Magazine Childrens Writing Competition on the Dark Skies theme.

We hope to arrange some additional events later in the month, including a star gazing event and a bat walk (details tbc).

Dallington Parish Council supports the Dark Skies Festival and when commenting on planning applications, takes account of the High Weald Dark Skies Planning Advice Note which aims to reduce light pollution.