Isle of Man Guide

September 2007 The Children’s Writing Competition run by Manx National Heritage to write about the Balladoole Viking has produced some captivating stories, with almost 60 children competing to give a name to the Viking and write a short story about his life.

After carefully considering all the entries received, Manx National Heritage can today announce that the overall winner of the competition is Elizabeth Tamarova aged 10 of Douglas, who also won the aged 9 to 11 years age category. Elizabeth wrote a diary on the Balladoole Viking whom she named “The Fearless Shudeck”. The runners up were Chris Dickinson aged 12 of West Yorkshire and Lucy Richmond aged 7 of Invergordon, Scotland.

Anthea Young, Education Services Officer for Manx National Heritage said:

“The response to the competition was remarkable and it was very difficult to choose the three winning stories in each category. The overall winner, Elizabeth Tamarova wrote a diary on the Balladoole Viking’s life and she also submitted a translated version of the diary using symbols in her own version of ancient runes.

Winner of the age 12 to 15 years category Chris Dickinson named the Balladoole Viking ‘Sigurd Duglad’. In Chris’s story Sigurd originated from Norway and was the son of Thorwald, a wealthy merchant. Lucy Richmond, winner of the 5 to 8 years age category named the Viking Rognavold and described his arrival on the Isle of Man from Scandinavia.

In addition to the winning entries, there were many other excellent stories submitted, including ones illustrated with pictures of Vikings & Viking Longships”.

Each of the winners will be presented with a £25 gift voucher and a family 4 site pass for the Manx National Heritage sites, whilst Elizabeth also received a book and CD on Viking designs. The new Viking and Medieval Galleries at the Manx Museum are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

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