A FROME schoolboy from Oakfield Academy has been crowned the winner of the Royal Mail’s 2017 Christmas Stamp Design Competition.
Chosen by the Prince of Wales, ‘Santa Claus on his sleigh on a starry night’ designed by Ted Lewis-Clark, who has turned 11 since entering, will be the 1st class Christmas stamp for 2017.
Upon hearing the news Ted was described as speechless and in shock, but when the news had sunk in, Ted said, “Wow! I can’t believe it. I only coloured it in because my mum made me!”
As well as seeing his design being turned into a postage stamp, Ted has also won £1,000 in vouchers and £1,000 for his school, Oakfield Academy.
It was head of art at Oakfield Academy, Kate Stewart, who noticed the potential of Ted’s design and entered him into the competition.
“We are totally delighted for Ted. It is an incredible achievement and a great reward for our head of art (Kate Stewart) who is currently on a Oakfield key stage 3 trip to China,” said headteacher Emma Wilkes on Kate’s behalf.
Ted will be presented with a framed set of his winning stamp design later in the year by the Prince of Wales, alongside 9-year old Arwen Wilson from Dudley, whose winning design will be the 2nd class Christmas stamp.
In addition, to mark Ted’s success, a special postmark will feature on mail delivered to addresses nationwide. Ted will have his name on the postmark for a week from Tuesday 7th November with the message, “Ted Lewis-Clark – Winner of Royal Mail’s Christmas Stamp Design Competition.”
Artist, Mary Rouncefield, who was part of the South West regional judging panel had said Ted’s design was, ‘A clear winner..!’
Royal Mail chief executive officer, Moya Greene, said, “We received a phenomenal response to our Christmas Stamp Design Competition this year, with over 200,000 entries from children across the UK.
“HRH The Prince of Wales has selected the two overall winners, and we congratulate Ted and Arwen, whose designs will be featured on millions of stamps this Christmas.
“I hope all the children who entered the competition continue being creative and artistic.”
This is only the fourth time in the Royal Mail’s 500-year history that children have designed Christmas stamps.
As with all special stamps issued by Royal Mail, both winning designs were approved by the Queen.
Ted’s Christmas stamp will be on sale from Tuesday 7th November.
