19-36 months - and overall winner

Chard & Ilminster News:

‘BEAUTIFUL blond’ boy Thomas Belben has been named Somerset Child of the Year 2017.

Thomas became the second person in his family to be named as the winner of the County Gazette competition, following in the footsteps of his older sister.

Thomas was entered into the competition in the 19-36 months category by his mum, Emma.

After finding out that Thomas had taken the top prize, she said: “I was excited and happy for him when I found out he had won.”

The family live in Granary Close, South Petherton.

Thomas’ sister Faye, who is now 11-years-old, also won when Emma entered her into the competition as a toddler.

Now, the family is planning to buy an engraved trophy with the £100 winnings, to go on display alongside Faye’s.

Emma added: “Emma was really excited as well.

“We got all our family and friends to go out and buy a paper.

“Thomas loves water. He loves drinking, swimming, splashing, everything, and he loves bubbles too. He is crazy about bubbles.

“I have always thought he is photogenic.

“It is his hair really. Everyone always likes to comment about his beautiful blonde hair.”


0-9 months

Chard & Ilminster News:

YOUNG Finley McGough’s family had even more to smile about after he was judged Child of the Year in the 0-9 months category.

Happy Finley, who will be eight-months-old later this month, is such a happy little boy with an infectious smile that cheers up his parents at home in Baileys Gate, Cotford St Luke.

“He’s the happiest boy I know and is always smiling,” said proud mum, Jodie Maven.

“He loves our two puppies, likes going for walks and has just started swimming.

“He slept through the night from 10am to 7.30am for the first time on Monday and has just started saying ‘dadda’.

“He likes his food and has got a healthy appetite, especially for raspberries.

“He likes watching television and is a big fan of The Teletubbies.”

Unbeknown to Finley, mum and dad are getting excited about Christmas and are already buying all his presents and ordering a made-up stocking for him.

She added: “Before then, he’s going to his first Hallowe’en pumpkin party at the end of this month.

“Then after all the fun of Christmas, we’re looking forward to his first birthday in February.”


10-18 months

Chard & Ilminster News:

THE mother of Bow Minnie Moxey said she was ‘over the moon’ after finding out the tot had won the 10-18 months category.

Katy Hamilton, Bow’s mum, of Sully Close, Bridgwater, said she never expected Bow to win the award.

“I was so shocked when I got a call telling me that my Bow won, I am over the moon,” Katy said.

“I have always loved taking pictures of Bow, she has such a personality about her and I love taking pictures so I can look back on them.”

Katy said she had always wanted to enter Bow into a competition and said she was shocked her daughter won, due to the amount of competition.

“I saw this competition online one night after I had put this kids to bed and just thought, why not?” she said.

“The shot I captured of Bow I loved as I feel it really captures her personality as she is a beautiful little girl.

“So many beautiful babies entered the competition I was so shocked that Bow won.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for her, this is something we will never forget.

“I will keep the picture I have of her in a memory box and will treasure it forever.”


3-6 years

Chard & Ilminster News:

THE family of Enya Mae Elsley said they were delighted after finding out Enya had won the 3-6 years category.

Enya Mae’s mum, Kerri, said she had been shocked when she got the call to let her know she had won.

“The whole family is well chuffed,” said Kerri, of Woodbury Road, Bridgwater. “It was a shock, I took the picture when Enya was in the bath and it made me smile.

“I was showing my mum the image and we both thought it was lovely and might be worth entering into the Child of the Year competition.”

Kerri said the whole family had been voting for Enya, who goes to nursery in North Petherton, as well as friends, work colleagues and those who voted after Kerri put out an appeal on Facebook.

“On behalf of the family I want to thank everyone who voted for Enya, we are really thrilled to have won.”