TWO young budding journalists will be showcasing their work in front of thousands, after being crowned the winners in a joint Comet and Rhythms of the World competition.

Joe Jordan, from High View, Hitchin, won the reporter category while Ben Halnan, from Wilbury Road, Letchworth GC, won the photography competition.

The two will be given exclusive backstage access to next weekend’s RotW festival and will have their work featured in the Comet.

Joe, a Year 8 pupil at John Henry Newman School, impressed judges with his competition entry on what the festival meant to him.

The 13-year-old, whose favourite school subjects are English and PE, said: “I was really excited when I heard I had won, because it is a good chance to show that I am passionate about and that I enjoy writing.

“I’ve got some ideas on what I want to report, because I’ve been before. I know a few of the bands and have got some favourites.

“I like Rhythms because of the whole atmosphere with the variety of bands and cultures.”

Sixteen-year-old Highfield School pupil Ben, who has previously performed at the festival, impressed with his pictures, which included a frosted branch and a robin at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.

“I’ve been really interested in photography for about a year and a half,” said Ben.

“It was great when I heard I’d won, I was really surprised.

“I wanted to get some sort of experience, which is quite difficult to come by, so this is great.”

The festival will be held in Hitchin Priory grounds next Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost �10 for each day, with concessionary rates available.

Tickets can be bought online at www.rotw.org.uk or from Coda Music in Stevenage Old Town, David’s Music in Letchworth GC, and Harvest Moon, Merryfield’s Newsagents, Hitchin Inititiative, Club85 and The Victoria pub in Hitchin.

If you would like to submit your videos or photographs captured at the festival, you can do so either by visiting www.iwitness24.co.uk or emailing laura.burge@thecomet.net

And make sure you join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting us @thecomet24 – the best will be featured in the paper.

JOE JORDAN’S ENTRY

When I ask someone, “Are you going to Rhythms?” and they say, “No,” I am immediately taken aback. If you live locally, it certainly is not something to be missed. What I love most about Rhythms is the extensive range of cultures - right in the middle of the usually sleepy market town of Hitchin. Everything from the food (I discovered Thai curry at Rhythms; now my favourite dish) to the artists (don’t miss The October Game this year) comes from a variety of different backgrounds; it gives you a taster of what life is like outside of our own country.

I must admit that the food is a necessary part of my Rhythms of the World experience. I challenge myself to try the most exotic foods on offer. Whether that is Moroccan, Sri Lankan or my favourite Thai, I’ll give it a go. It seems ludicrous to me that someone could be tempted by boring old burger and chips when there is such a range of delicious foods on offer.

I remember the first time I went to Rhythms. It was as if it was my first day at school and I was just about to be educated on the wonders of the musical world. This was when I began to love music and since then I have discovered some brilliant bands at Rhythms. I would not miss it for the world!