Christmas is on the cards

Wigan’s first citizen is hoping to draw on the inspiration from the borough’s younger generation to make this Christmas a real cracker.

Each year the Mayor of Wigan sends festive greetings in the form of Christmas Cards, on behalf of the borough across the region, country and beyond.

This year’s Mayor Cllr Rona Winkworth has some grand designs for making her cards extra special and she’s asking the children of the borough to help. The Mayor is organising her own ‘Design a Christmas Card Competition’ and she wants children of all ages and abilities to get drawing, painting and crayoning away.

Cllr Winkworth says:

“We are contacting schools across the borough to ask them to take part in the competition. We are looking for colourful, eye-catching designs that capture the spirit of Christmas.

“We know that there are a lot of really talented children in the borough and we are really excited about seeing the entries.”

The designs can be in any medium and on any theme, as long as it is Christmas, and the Mayor has one special request.

“My chosen charity this year is the Children’s Ward at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary which is also called the Rainbow Ward,” says Cllr Winkworth. “So if the designs could include a rainbow in them somewhere that would be great.”

The competition is split into three categories for Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the borough.

The three winners will see 100 cards made up in their own designs. They will also get to accompany the Mayor and Mayoress on a special guided tour of Wigan’s very own version of Willy Wonka’s – the Uncle Joe’s Mintball factory. Each winner will also receive book tokens courtesy of the ASDA Distribution Centre, Marus Bridge.

Children can get involved via their school and the closing date for entries is Monday September 22.

The winners will be chosen by the Mayor’s Charity Committee.