A seven-year-old Minecraft enthusiast from Wymondham, Norfolk, has captured the hearts of many by winning a festival poetry competition designed for children. Myles penned a charming piece titled A Friend Like Steve, which he will perform on stage to inaugurate this year’s Latitude festival at Henham Park, Suffolk, on July 24. The competition, organized in collaboration with the BBC, was open to children aged seven to eleven from Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire.
Judge and poet Luke Wright expressed his admiration for Myles’ choice of subject matter, stating, “I love the fact he chose the language he feels comfortable with, the language of Minecraft. The best thing to do is write about something you love, which is why this is so excellent.” Myles’ mother, Charlotte, beamed with pride, noting, “I’m so proud of him; it came out beautifully.” She recounted how Myles’ father, a regular radio listener, informed him about the competition while he was likely engrossed in his favorite game.
Poetry ‘essential to the festival’
The competition, which began as a collaboration with BBC Radio Suffolk for the 2024 festival, has expanded this year to include participants from three counties. Melvin Benn, the founder of the Latitude Festival, praised Myles’ poem, calling it “delightful” and highlighting its significance in showcasing the creativity of the younger generation. “At just seven years old, he’s taken the world of Minecraft, something that truly speaks to his generation, and turned it into a beautiful exploration of friendship and shared adventure,” Benn remarked. “This is exactly what Latitude is all about: celebrating creativity in all its forms, giving a platform to new voices.”
This year, the festival will also feature an increased contribution from the BBC Music Introducing teams, covering Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Essex, with 21 local acts set to perform on the Lavish Lounge stage. The poems submitted for the competition, centered around the theme of friendship, were evaluated by BBC presenters Sarah Lilley and Louise Hulland, alongside poet Luke Wright and Latitude arts curator Kirsty Taylor.
In addition to Myles, two runners-up were selected to read their works at the festival. Eleven-year-old Zara from Gorleston wrote What Can I Do?, reflecting on the emotional impact of a friend’s move to Peterborough, while Eleanor, also 11, from Cromer, composed Someone, which delves into the feelings of being without a special friend.
BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Sarah Lilley remarked on the emotional depth of the entries this year, noting that they took the judges on a “rollercoaster of emotions.” She expressed her admiration for the finalists, stating, “I was so impressed with all of them, but our three finalists are exceptional.” Charlotte Spackman, BBC Suffolk’s executive producer, emphasized the importance of providing young people from the region with opportunities to showcase their talents on such a prominent stage. “Creativity is one of the BBC’s core values, and it is essential we play our part in nurturing, developing, and sharing the stories of the huge talent we have in the East.”
The Latitude Festival is scheduled for July 24 – 27, 2025, at Henham Park, Suffolk, featuring headliners Sting, Snow Patrol, and Fatboy Slim.
