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Billy's snowman is South Norfolk's Christmas card winner

Ten-year-old Billy Bond melted the hearts of a panel of judges when they saw his design for South Norfolk Council’s Christmas Card competition.

And out of about 200 entries, they picked his ‘snowman at night’ design to become the official South Norfolk Council Christmas Card for 2003.

From today, the first of 500 cards with Billy’s winning picture on the front, go into the post with best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from Council Chairman, the Rev Clive Hudson.

Among those getting the card will be the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk Sir Timothy Colman, the High Sheriff of Norfolk Sir Jeremy Bagge, the Lord Mayor of Norwich Chris Southgate, and the Bishop of Norwich the Rt Rev Graham James.

Billy, a pupil of Harleston Primary School, was clearly “walking in the air” when Cllr Hudson presented him with his prizes at a packed special school assembly this week, as 300 fellow pupils applauded.

Billy said afterwards: “It was wonderful to win because there were some really good designs. Now all we need is a white Christmas to make my picture come true.”

Cllr Hudson, former headmaster of Dove First School, Harleston, before it merged with Canon Pickering School to become Harleston Primary, said:

“We were overwhelmed with so many excellent entries from the children, and you can imagine how hard it was to pick the overall winner. We had two other great main winners and 11 designs, which came very close as runners-up. We want to say a big thank you to all the children who took part. In the end, Billy’s brilliant snowman design really stood out.”

He added, with a smile: “I’ll be sending a card to Bishop Graham – I sincerely hope he likes it!”

Head teacher Roger Walsh said: “I’m really proud of all the children – they entered into the spirit of the competition and put a lot of effort into every design. It was pleasing to hear that the high standard of entries made judging difficult.

“We would like to pass on our thanks to South Norfolk District Council, and the Rev Clive Hudson in particular for choosing us for the competition.”

Billy’s card is a striking design of a snowman, complete with red scarf billowing in the breeze, and all set against a stunning South Norfolk starry night background.

Billy, whose design was entered in the category representing school years 4, 5 and 6, received a framed copy of his picture, as well as a voucher for the school worth £25 to spend on books. There were two other category winners - Thomas Girling, aged 5, from Year 1; and, Ellie Beaumont, aged 8, from Years 2 and 3.

There were also certificates to recognise the excellent work of pupils from each of the classes, for: Jack Leeder, aged 5, Ashleigh Hawkes, aged 5, Sian Seaman, aged 6, Dorothy Basford, aged 7, Declan Povey, aged 8, Remarl Nelson, aged 7, Tristan Rumsby, aged 9, Bethany Simpson, aged 11, Alice Carruthers, aged 10, Jessica Robson, aged 11, and Becky Thomas, aged 11.

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