Norwich boy wins religious award

Jonathan Wilde, 17, has been awarded second-place in the annual National Cranmer Awards.

Judges described his entry to the competition as a 'wonderful interpretation of the story'.

Jonathan, who attends sixth form at Norwich School, won a place in the finals after winning the regional heat in 2008.

The award is run annually by the Prayer Book Society to introduce young people to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

Entrants to the Cranmer Awards must read or recite a passage of their choice from the book - of between three and five minutes in duration.

"I heard about it four years ago from a friend that did it. The next year, I put my name down for it and I've done it ever since," said Jonathan.

"The first year I managed to come second and once you know you can come second, you start to take it a bit more seriously," he added.

Local heats are held all around the country, and the winners of the heats go through to the National Final at Hatfield House.

"The first two years were nerve-racking. It doesn't matter whether it's in front of 20 or 200 people, there's not much pressure on me now," said Jonathan.

At the final, competitors must recite their chosen passage by heart.

"This year I chose the Tuesday before Easter, a piece I feel has greater significance to a lot of people whether they are Christian or not" said Jonathan.

"It's about the crucifixion of Jesus. It's very powerful from my point of view, it's a passage about one of the most amazing men in history. That's what appeals to me about this particular reading," he added.