A STUDENT has bagged a bronze after throwing caution to the wind in an embroiderer competition.

Allegra Cook, Year 10 student at Burgess Hill School for Girls who lives in Turners Hill, was awarded third prize in the Young Quilter/Young Embroiderer 12-16 Years category at the International Festival of Quilts Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham for her intricate Fairy on a Mushroom (pictured right).

Allegra said: “The piece took me almost a year to create – it was hard work at times but definitely worth it.

“I want to thank my teacher Mrs Bradley for all her help and support – she was my inspiration to enter the competition.

“I am really looking forward to helping her with the Junior School lunchtime textiles club in the autumn term.”

The school team also submitted a quilt and everyone who contributed was delighted to be awarded highly commended for their efforts.

Textiles teacher Barbara Bradley said: “The Festival of Quilts is an outstanding celebration of craftsmanship; Allegra’s third prize is thoroughly deserved and an outstanding achievement.

“I am very proud of her.

“The school has entered a quilt for the past four years now and each year the standard gets higher, so it was with great delight to hear that we had been highly commended in this truly international competition.

“A group of boarding girls worked throughout the year to make their quilt depicting a fairy ring at the bottom of an imaginary garden.

“The festival has been inspirational and we hope to enter another quilt next year.”