The competition has been launched in memory of Claire Newman, who passed away in December 2022.
Claire studied for her PGCE in secondary English and Drama at Homerton College, Cambridge in 1996-97. Claire moved to Bishop’s Stortford in 1999, and during her teaching career she taught at Herts & Essex High School, Northgate Primary School and Hockerill Anglo-European College teaching both secondary English and Drama, as well as primary Music.
Claire loved music, literature, her family and had a very wide group of friends. Claire was an active member of Bishop’s Stortford Choral Society; she loved songwriting and singing in concerts with the choir. She was also a pianist and played the flute whilst at school and university.
Claire wanted to establish a songwriting competition for young people in Bishop's Stortford, and 2024 sees the launch of Stortford Young Songwriters Competition.
Claire is very much missed. Her children want to keep making music to remember their mum.