This competition has been running since 1977. It was during a visit to the East of England Show in 1976 that The Queen Mother expressed an interest in children’s handwriting saying ‘clear handwriting is an essential element of communication and self-expression. It is for this reason that I felt able to suggest to the East of England Show organisers, during a visit to the Schools Area in 1976 that I would support an initiative directed at improving children’s writing skills.’
Following the sad death of the Queen Mother the East of England Agricultural Society wrote to Her Majesty The Queen and asked if they could continue the competition in memory of The Queen Mother. Her Majesty kindly agreed and so the competition continues.