Phil Gillam: Evolutionary role for young thinkers
A particularly diligent young student asked the great Charles Darwin: “Why did the chicken cross the road?”
The respected naturalist, geologist and biologist stroked his famous beard, taking a moment to consider his answer.
And then he said: “It was the logical next step after coming down from the trees.”
Yeah, okay. So that never really happened. I know.
But a new competition for youngsters might just send participants off in all sorts of strange (and perhaps amusing) directions as they give some thought to Mr Darwin, one of Shrewsbury’s greatest sons.
Creative young people all across Shropshire can really let their imaginations soar to come up with ideas of where they would travel with Charles Darwin in this newly launched competition.
Entrants aged seven to 16 are invited to write a letter to entice Shrewsbury’s most famous son to take a journey into the past, the present or the future, in the real world or an imaginary place.
Winners will be chosen from three age categories with prizes including day tickets to Legoland for four people, a helicopter flight experience for two, and OCULUC Go virtual reality goggles.
Do you know what? If I wasn’t ever-so-slightly over the seven to 16 age limit, I’d have a go myself!
Enthusiasm
This, the second Young Thinkers’ Competition, follows the success of the inaugural competition last year on the theme of ‘one great idea to change the world’, with this year’s Finals taking place in February and kicking off the 2019 Darwin Shrewsbury Festival. Next year’s celebration is set to be bigger than ever before with over 40 events taking place in and around the town to bring to life Shrewsbury’s connection to Darwin.
It all sounds pretty good to me.
Meanwhile, Professor Anna Sutton, Provost of UCS says: “We could not have imagined how much the competition last year would capture the imagination of the contestants and we were blown away by the ideas, enthusiasm and the professionalism of the children. This year’s theme is equally open to interpretation and we cannot wait to see what 2019 Dear Darwin will deliver.”
Katie Morris from Morris & Company added: “2019 is destined to be a very special year for our fifth-generation family company as we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary. Championing the 2019 Young Thinkers is a great way of celebrating as part of the Shropshire community.”
The competition will be judged by a panel comprising Professor Sutton, Robin Morris and this year, storyteller Jake Evans, who won the U18 category of the ‘National Young Storyteller of the Year’ when he was just 15.
All Shropshire youngsters are eligible to enter. For entry details visit morrisandco.com/youngthinkers
Closing date is Friday, November 30.
On the right track?
It’s all change on our local railways.
Transport For Wales Rail has just taken over from Arriva Trains Wales, teasing us with the promise of a new fleet of diesel multiple units to replace Arriva’s ageing Sprinters and Pacers.
Thus the familiar turquoise livery of Arriva Trains Wales will gradually make way for the red and white rolling stock of the new company.
But I couldn’t help but smile when I read that James Price, chief executive of Transport For Wales, likened the service he has inherited from Arriva to buying an old car on its last legs.
“I think people need to be aware that we’ve bought a Ford Escort with 300,000 miles on the clock and the clutch is on the way out,” he said.
He went on to say: "We’re doing everything we can to make it better. I just want people to be aware of the challenges we face.”
Well, nothing like being honest, eh?
Me? Well, as a lifelong fan of our beautiful railways, I just hope Mr Price can rebuild that old Ford Escort and sort out the clutch!
