Due to the ongoing global pandemic, life for most of us has been put on hold. As of March 16th 2020 all of my events for the forseeable future were cancelled or postponed. All that matters at the moment is that everyone stays safe and well. Whilst I am unable to make it in person…
It’s always great to spend time in lots of fab libraries whilst the schools are closed for the summer holidays and this year were no different. I held writing workshops for Blackpool libraries and Lancashire libraries and performed my stories at some of their libraries too. Big thanks to the staff at Palatine Library, Moor…
I was excited to make two trips to Benjamin Hargreaves CE Primary, Accrington, in September. The first morning visit started with a KS2 author assembly. The children listened brilliantly as I explained the events of the last five years in forty minutes! I even managed to put on the storytelling waistcoat to share an Impossible…
Carleton Green is a short walk from my home and it’s a school I’ve built great links with over the last five years. It was lovely to return to be part of their ‘Reading Day’, which kicked off with a storytelling assembly with Year 3 – 6. There was a dragon theme for the day,…
It’s always one of the highlights of the year when I visit my local libraries to share some stories. Six library visits took place across two weeks in August. These gigs are always important because I usually take some time off from performing in the summer, so they are great to get back into…
Two high school visits featured before the academic year drew to a close. First up was St George’s. I was invited to be part of the English transition day, which saw Year 6 pupils spending time in school before they go into Year 7 in September. I spent the morning in the fantastic surroundings of…
This was my fifth Wordpool event and possibly the hottest! The event takes place at Stanley Park, Blackpool, with hundreds of families attending. The park is filled with lots of things to do and see and it’s completely free! This year saw performing trees, a circus tent, an elephant accompanied by a storyteller and some…
It was lovely to spend three mornings at Briercliffe Primary, Burnley, during late April. Visit one kicked off with a KS2 author assembly where I explained the writing and illustrating process. The children listened so well as the multiple drafts of Danger Zone were displayed and I revealed how Martin draws Eric. The session finished…
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St John’s and as it was a first-time visit it proved to be extra special. The morning started with a writing workshop in Year 4. The pupils kicked off the session by discussing nasty characters in books they had read. They explained why the characters were nasty and how…
It’s always extra special to visit a school for the first time, so I couldn’t wait to visit St Leonard’s. The morning kicked off with a whole school assembly. I explained to the children how I wrote my first book aged ten right through to the publication of the latest Eric Appleby adventure. I even…