Alice wins Sir Lindsay's arty challenge to create a piece of history

Sir Lindsay Hoyle isn't the only Chorley name to be immortalised in the great Place of Westminster.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, centre, and judges with Alice Forbes' winning design, which will now be made into a tileSir Lindsay Hoyle, centre, and judges with Alice Forbes' winning design, which will now be made into a tile
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, centre, and judges with Alice Forbes' winning design, which will now be made into a tile

Thanks to a competition launched by the town's Speaker of the House of Commons, schoolgirl Alice Forbes is about to see her name go down in history.

The 12-year-old has won a chance to see her special design made into a tile.

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The "My Democracy Design" competition was launched by Sir Lindsay in the summer as part of a range of activities for six to 15 year olds to mark the 150th anniversary of the Palace of Westminster , which was rebuilt after it was almost razed to the ground in 1834. Reconstruction began in 1840.

They were asked to follow in the footsteps of Augustus Pugin, who designed the beautiful mosaic tiles in Central Lobby.

Alice's design, which features a hand-drawn image of the Palace incorporating the emblems of all four countries of the UK was picked by a panel of judges, These included the Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg and shadow leader Valeria Vaz. The design will be created into her own unique democracy themed tile .

Head of Education and Engagement for UK Parliament, David Clark, said: "We received some fantastic entries to the ‘My Democracy Design’ competition this year. The judges were incredibly impressed with the both the quality and messages behind the designs we saw – which show just how engaged the young people of this country are with democracy.

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He added: "Alice’s eye-catching design really stood out amongst the entries we received - providing a really optimistic and inclusive view of the future of our UK Parliament."

The competition took place online as the Palace of Westminster is currently closed to the public but Alice is no stranger to the building.

She said: "I am very happy to have won the 'My Democracy Design' competition.

"I've been able to learn a lot about democracy when designing my tile. I visit London often with my family, and I think the Palace of Westminster is an amazing building."

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Alice will receive a certificate from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, as well as a framed copy of her design. her design will then be transformed into her own unique democracy themed tile - evoking the famous encaustic tiles that the Palace of Westminster is known for. She will also get a goody bag from the Houses of Parliament shop.

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