Consumer Press Releases
Peeblesshire lad is top draw in national poster competition
20th June 2008
Local boy, William Rowse from Eddleston Primary School in Peebles has beaten off competition from thousands of children in Scotland with his winning entry in an electrical safety poster design competition. In addition to scooping the top prize in Scotland, William’s poster design came second overall in the UK-wide competition earning him £250 for his school and a prize for himself.
The poster design competition, themed around electrical safety in your home, was part of a national campaign by consumer safety charity, the Electrical Safety Council to educate children about using electricity safely.
William was presented with his prize by children’s television presenter Kirsten O’Brien at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live exhibition, where his poster was on display for the thousands of visitors attending the show.
Kirsten, who presents children's art show SMart said, “These pictures are wonderful and the level of entries is really impressive. I’m encouraged when I look at the way in which the children have demonstrated their understanding of the electrical dangers around the home and incorporated them into their designs so creatively."
The judges chose William’s poster because they were impressed by how visually clear the electrical safety messages were, as well as the simplicity of his design and they enjoyed the element of humour. They especially liked the inventive character ‘light bulb man’ used by William to get the messages across.
One of the judges, Baroness Jenny Tonge whose own daughter was killed in an electrical accident at home said, "The standard of the entries was quite brilliant. It is so important that people understand the dangers of electricity and I am thrilled that primary school children are taking this work so seriously.”
The winning posters are also on display on the Electrical Safety Council’s children’s website, www.switchedonkids.org.uk
