David Lawrence Jones's Blog, page 2
July 21, 2013
A hot week in 'sweltering' Swindon!
I spent the penultimate week of the school academic year in Wiltshire... and boy it was hot in sunny Swindon. As with many parts of the UK, the temperatures soared above 30 degrees but my author visits to four schools proved a great hit!
I arrived in South Marston on Sunday evening to be greeted by a wonderful eccentric landlady at "The Old Post Office Guesthouse" (which proved to be perfect base for my working week). Jackie offered me a tour of her well-presented abode, including the vintage rolls in the garage. Then I was afforded an operatic rendition, as she opened her arms in the middle of the garden to deliver high-pitched notes that rattled the windows on the 18th Century cottage. What an unusual but lovely welcome start to what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic stay in Wiltshire.
On Monday I paid a visit to two schools near the city centre of Swindon... in the morning I showcased my Bradley Baker presentation to the pupils at Oliver Tomkins and then later in the afternoon I met with children from King William Street. Thankfully both school halls were kept cool with open windows and the students displayed a heightened level of enthusiasm as I introduced the main characters in the books. The signing events that followed were a great success with hundreds of new Bradley Baker fans receiving signed copies of the books.
Even Swindon Primary was my next port of call on Tuesday and tour organiser Tracey Badenski had arranged a fantastic event. The stage in the hall was put to good use with my smoking bath taking centre-stage! More record breaking queues of eager youngsters lined up to get their hands on the boy hero and his amazing adventures! Even the children from both classes in year 5 wrote me some fantastic letters to thank me for presenting at their school... brilliant to read such wonderful messages of support - it makes what I do so worthwhile!!
My final author visit took place back in South Marston on Wednesday, so it was a short journey from the Old Post Office to the village school. Wow... what a reception from the 90 children. We had a blast and the event proved to be a big hit with both the students and the teaching staff. I was even asked to sign some of the year 6 leavers school shirts!!! Here's just a few of the many pictures taken by the pupils during the two days I spent at the school;
So, with the Wiltshire tour completed... I headed back to Devon and finished the week with a visit to Start Road Primary in Plymouth. We celebrated the opening of the new library with a fantastic show and all the 300 students were very excited during the presentation. I'm looking forward to a return visit on Monday to meet the children again in the library to sign their Bradley Baker books.
With the end of term fast approaching, I'll be visiting a few more schools during the early part of next week... including a rescheduled event at St Margaret Clitherow in Brixham. I'll let you know how I get on and bring you right up to date this time next week.
Thanks for popping by again folks. Best wishes for now, DLJ
I arrived in South Marston on Sunday evening to be greeted by a wonderful eccentric landlady at "The Old Post Office Guesthouse" (which proved to be perfect base for my working week). Jackie offered me a tour of her well-presented abode, including the vintage rolls in the garage. Then I was afforded an operatic rendition, as she opened her arms in the middle of the garden to deliver high-pitched notes that rattled the windows on the 18th Century cottage. What an unusual but lovely welcome start to what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic stay in Wiltshire.
On Monday I paid a visit to two schools near the city centre of Swindon... in the morning I showcased my Bradley Baker presentation to the pupils at Oliver Tomkins and then later in the afternoon I met with children from King William Street. Thankfully both school halls were kept cool with open windows and the students displayed a heightened level of enthusiasm as I introduced the main characters in the books. The signing events that followed were a great success with hundreds of new Bradley Baker fans receiving signed copies of the books.
Even Swindon Primary was my next port of call on Tuesday and tour organiser Tracey Badenski had arranged a fantastic event. The stage in the hall was put to good use with my smoking bath taking centre-stage! More record breaking queues of eager youngsters lined up to get their hands on the boy hero and his amazing adventures! Even the children from both classes in year 5 wrote me some fantastic letters to thank me for presenting at their school... brilliant to read such wonderful messages of support - it makes what I do so worthwhile!!
My final author visit took place back in South Marston on Wednesday, so it was a short journey from the Old Post Office to the village school. Wow... what a reception from the 90 children. We had a blast and the event proved to be a big hit with both the students and the teaching staff. I was even asked to sign some of the year 6 leavers school shirts!!! Here's just a few of the many pictures taken by the pupils during the two days I spent at the school;
So, with the Wiltshire tour completed... I headed back to Devon and finished the week with a visit to Start Road Primary in Plymouth. We celebrated the opening of the new library with a fantastic show and all the 300 students were very excited during the presentation. I'm looking forward to a return visit on Monday to meet the children again in the library to sign their Bradley Baker books.
With the end of term fast approaching, I'll be visiting a few more schools during the early part of next week... including a rescheduled event at St Margaret Clitherow in Brixham. I'll let you know how I get on and bring you right up to date this time next week.
Thanks for popping by again folks. Best wishes for now, DLJ
A hot week in sunny Swindon!
I spent the penultimate week of the school academic year in Wiltshire... and boy it was hot in sunny Swindon. As with many parts of the UK, the temperatures soared above 30 degrees but my author visits to four schools proved a great hit!
I arrived in South Marston on Sunday evening to be greeted by a wonderful eccentric landlady at "The Old Post Office Guesthouse" (which proved to be perfect base for my working week). Jackie offered me a tour of her well-presented abode, including the vintage rolls in the garage. Then I was afforded an operatic rendition, as she opened her arms in the middle of the garden to deliver high-pitched notes that rattled the windows on the 18th Century cottage. What an unusual but lovely welcome start to what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic stay in Wiltshire.
On Monday I paid a visit to two schools near the city centre of Swindon... in the morning I showcased my Bradley Baker presentation to the pupils at Oliver Tomkins and then later in the afternoon I met with children from King William Street. Thankfully both school halls were kept cool with open windows and the students displayed a heightened level of enthusiasm as I introduced the main characters in the books. The signing events that followed were a great success with hundreds of new Bradley Baker fans receiving signed copies of the books.
Even Swindon Primary was my next port of call on Tuesday and tour organiser Tracey Badenski had arranged a fantastic event. The stage in the hall was put to good use with my smoking bath taking centre-stage! More record breaking queues of eager youngsters lined up to get their hands on the boy hero and his amazing adventures! Even the children from both classes in year 5 wrote me some fantastic letters to thank me for presenting at their school... brilliant to read such wonderful messages of support - it makes what I do so worthwhile!!
My final author visit took place back in South Marston on Wednesday, so it was a short journey from the Old Post Office to the village school. Wow... what a reception from the 90 children. We had a blast and the event proved to be a big hit with both the students and the teaching staff. I was even asked to sign some of the year 6 leavers school shirts!!! Here's just a few of the many pictures taken by the pupils during the two days I spent at the school;
So, with the Wiltshire tour completed... I headed back to Devon and finished the week with a visit to Start Road Primary in Plymouth. We celebrated the opening of the new library with a fantastic show and all the 300 students were very excited during the presentation. I'm looking forward to a return visit on Monday to meet the children again in the library to sign their Bradley Baker books.
With the end of term fast approaching, I'll be visiting a few more schools during the early part of next week... including a rescheduled event at St Margaret Clitherow in Brixham. I'll let you know how I get on and bring you right up to date this time next week.
Thanks for popping by again folks. Best wishes for now, DLJ
I arrived in South Marston on Sunday evening to be greeted by a wonderful eccentric landlady at "The Old Post Office Guesthouse" (which proved to be perfect base for my working week). Jackie offered me a tour of her well-presented abode, including the vintage rolls in the garage. Then I was afforded an operatic rendition, as she opened her arms in the middle of the garden to deliver high-pitched notes that rattled the windows on the 18th Century cottage. What an unusual but lovely welcome start to what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic stay in Wiltshire.
On Monday I paid a visit to two schools near the city centre of Swindon... in the morning I showcased my Bradley Baker presentation to the pupils at Oliver Tomkins and then later in the afternoon I met with children from King William Street. Thankfully both school halls were kept cool with open windows and the students displayed a heightened level of enthusiasm as I introduced the main characters in the books. The signing events that followed were a great success with hundreds of new Bradley Baker fans receiving signed copies of the books.
Even Swindon Primary was my next port of call on Tuesday and tour organiser Tracey Badenski had arranged a fantastic event. The stage in the hall was put to good use with my smoking bath taking centre-stage! More record breaking queues of eager youngsters lined up to get their hands on the boy hero and his amazing adventures! Even the children from both classes in year 5 wrote me some fantastic letters to thank me for presenting at their school... brilliant to read such wonderful messages of support - it makes what I do so worthwhile!!
My final author visit took place back in South Marston on Wednesday, so it was a short journey from the Old Post Office to the village school. Wow... what a reception from the 90 children. We had a blast and the event proved to be a big hit with both the students and the teaching staff. I was even asked to sign some of the year 6 leavers school shirts!!! Here's just a few of the many pictures taken by the pupils during the two days I spent at the school;
So, with the Wiltshire tour completed... I headed back to Devon and finished the week with a visit to Start Road Primary in Plymouth. We celebrated the opening of the new library with a fantastic show and all the 300 students were very excited during the presentation. I'm looking forward to a return visit on Monday to meet the children again in the library to sign their Bradley Baker books.
With the end of term fast approaching, I'll be visiting a few more schools during the early part of next week... including a rescheduled event at St Margaret Clitherow in Brixham. I'll let you know how I get on and bring you right up to date this time next week.
Thanks for popping by again folks. Best wishes for now, DLJ
July 13, 2013
A wonderful week in Sunny Devon!
Following my trip up North to my birth county of South Yorkshire last week, it was nice to be working closer to home in Devon this week. Quite an eventful week it was in fact with a triage of showcase events in Plymouth, Exmouth and Newton Abbot... then a couple of great events in my home town of Torquay to complete another creative writing project and attend a local speech day, as guest of honour!
Let's start with the first showcase presentation at Haytor View Primary in Newton Abbot on Monday. I knew this was going to be a successful visit because of the effort demonstrated by the event organiser at the school. Graeme Hankin made sure everything went to plan... and boy did the students appreciate the show. The atmosphere inside the school hall was tremendous... and the enthusiasm lasted throughout the showcase. It was a hot day and with all the windows wide open, a popular signing event ensued with lot's of new Bradley Baker fans enjoying their new signed copies.
My next stop was in Exmouth... I thought Haytor View were organised!!! Well, Ben Humphries at Brixington ensured that I had an equally tremendous author visit, as I presented to over 350 pupils in the sweltering heat inside the school hall. The showcase proved very inspiring and another legion of Bradley Baker followers queued patiently to have their books signed. This was my first visit to the Exmouth area but I will definitely be back during the new academic year.
The third showcase event of the week took place at Ernsettle Community School near Plymouth. Charlotte Parry arranged another fantastic visit and again the children were brilliant, as they sat enthused through a very entertaining show. Another long queue for signed copies of the Bradley Baker adventure books formed along the corridor, as the library hummed with air of excitement.
On Wednesday I revisited Cockington Primary in Torquay to complete the final book publication project of the 2012/13 academic year.... "Adventures of a Lifetime" was my sixth successful school book publication created during a series of workshops, which have helped to publish over 200 new young authors. I'll be returning to Cockington next year to work with another group of talented pupils. All the books produced this year by the students are available online and you can find out more information by clicking on the following website http://www.authorvisitstoschools.com
The week ended with a wonderful speech day at the Livermead House Hotel in Torquay. I was invited to attend as guest of honour by the senior management team at Tower House School in Paignton. Following a short speech and prize giving, I was invited to a special celebratory lunch at the No7 restaurant in Torquay and enjoyed a fabulous seafood meal.
Next week I will be visiting schools in Wiltshire and the week will conclude with a trip to Plymouth for the penultimate showcase of the academic year... catch up you all again this time next week!!!
Best wishes DLJ
Let's start with the first showcase presentation at Haytor View Primary in Newton Abbot on Monday. I knew this was going to be a successful visit because of the effort demonstrated by the event organiser at the school. Graeme Hankin made sure everything went to plan... and boy did the students appreciate the show. The atmosphere inside the school hall was tremendous... and the enthusiasm lasted throughout the showcase. It was a hot day and with all the windows wide open, a popular signing event ensued with lot's of new Bradley Baker fans enjoying their new signed copies.
My next stop was in Exmouth... I thought Haytor View were organised!!! Well, Ben Humphries at Brixington ensured that I had an equally tremendous author visit, as I presented to over 350 pupils in the sweltering heat inside the school hall. The showcase proved very inspiring and another legion of Bradley Baker followers queued patiently to have their books signed. This was my first visit to the Exmouth area but I will definitely be back during the new academic year.The third showcase event of the week took place at Ernsettle Community School near Plymouth. Charlotte Parry arranged another fantastic visit and again the children were brilliant, as they sat enthused through a very entertaining show. Another long queue for signed copies of the Bradley Baker adventure books formed along the corridor, as the library hummed with air of excitement.
On Wednesday I revisited Cockington Primary in Torquay to complete the final book publication project of the 2012/13 academic year.... "Adventures of a Lifetime" was my sixth successful school book publication created during a series of workshops, which have helped to publish over 200 new young authors. I'll be returning to Cockington next year to work with another group of talented pupils. All the books produced this year by the students are available online and you can find out more information by clicking on the following website http://www.authorvisitstoschools.com
The week ended with a wonderful speech day at the Livermead House Hotel in Torquay. I was invited to attend as guest of honour by the senior management team at Tower House School in Paignton. Following a short speech and prize giving, I was invited to a special celebratory lunch at the No7 restaurant in Torquay and enjoyed a fabulous seafood meal.
Next week I will be visiting schools in Wiltshire and the week will conclude with a trip to Plymouth for the penultimate showcase of the academic year... catch up you all again this time next week!!!
Best wishes DLJ
July 6, 2013
Turning over a new "Leif" in Rotherham!!!
Another brilliant week on tour... sharing my journey as an author and showcasing the Bradley Baker books to more excited primary school children. A return visit to Rotherham enabled me to visit four more schools.... two within the Clifton Partnership; East Dene and Coleridge. I also presented to students at High Greave and Whiston Worrygoose (it was great to meet up with one of my cousins, who works at the school and organised the event)! One particular pupil really caught my attention at Coleridge School... here is Leif, who purchased all three copies of the Pathylon Trilogy and then asked to have his picture taken with me;
I also took the opportunity to call in to St Ann's Primary to meet my good friend Zoe Croot. Whilst chatting she mentioned an article that appeared in the Clifton Community News about my last visit to Rotherham... so I headed over to Clifton Community Arts School and met with Rachael Grice, who kindly supplied copies of the publication and here's a link to the news story http://cliftonschool.org/index.php/393-author-visit
I returned to Devon on Thursday for an early night, as I had to be 'fit & ready' for my final event of the week on Friday in Exmouth. Brixington Primary School hosted my author visit with over 300 children in the audience. It was a very hot day but all the children sat brilliantly through the showcase and I'm really looking forward to returning on Monday for a very special signing event. Big thank you to Ben Humphries for an extremely well-organised visit.... much appreciated! My recent visit to Whitchurch Primary in Tavistock also made the headlines... the event was featured on the front cover of the Times Gazette...
...and here's a link to the article; http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=22540&headline=Author%20visit%20for%20pupils Thank you for reading this week's BlogSpot... hope you enjoyed it. I'll be working closer to home next week with more author visits in Devon, then I'll be heading to Wiltshire to visit four schools in Swindon the following week... so lot's to catch up on and share with you.
Best wishes for now, DLJ :)
I also took the opportunity to call in to St Ann's Primary to meet my good friend Zoe Croot. Whilst chatting she mentioned an article that appeared in the Clifton Community News about my last visit to Rotherham... so I headed over to Clifton Community Arts School and met with Rachael Grice, who kindly supplied copies of the publication and here's a link to the news story http://cliftonschool.org/index.php/393-author-visit
I returned to Devon on Thursday for an early night, as I had to be 'fit & ready' for my final event of the week on Friday in Exmouth. Brixington Primary School hosted my author visit with over 300 children in the audience. It was a very hot day but all the children sat brilliantly through the showcase and I'm really looking forward to returning on Monday for a very special signing event. Big thank you to Ben Humphries for an extremely well-organised visit.... much appreciated! My recent visit to Whitchurch Primary in Tavistock also made the headlines... the event was featured on the front cover of the Times Gazette...
...and here's a link to the article; http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=22540&headline=Author%20visit%20for%20pupils Thank you for reading this week's BlogSpot... hope you enjoyed it. I'll be working closer to home next week with more author visits in Devon, then I'll be heading to Wiltshire to visit four schools in Swindon the following week... so lot's to catch up on and share with you. Best wishes for now, DLJ :)
Turning a new "Leif" in Rotherham!!!
Another brilliant week on tour... sharing my journey as an author and showcasing the Bradley Baker books to more excited primary school children. A return visit to Rotherham enabled me to visit four more schools.... two within the Clifton Partnership; East Dene and Coleridge. I also presented to students at High Greave and Whiston Worrygoose (it was great to meet up with one of my cousins, who works at the school and organised the event)! One particular pupil really caught my attention at Coleridge School... here is Leif, who purchased all three copies of the Pathylon Trilogy and then asked to have his picture taken with me;
I also took the opportunity to call in to St Ann's Primary to meet my good friend Zoe Croot. Whilst chatting she mentioned an article that appeared in the Clifton Community News about my last visit to Rotherham... so I headed over to Clifton Community Arts School and met with Rachael Grice, who kindly supplied copies of the publication and here's a link to the news story http://cliftonschool.org/index.php/393-author-visit
I returned to Devon on Thursday for an early night, as I had to be 'fit & ready' for my final event of the week on Friday in Exmouth. Brixington Primary School hosted my author visit with over 300 children in the audience. It was a very hot day but all the children sat brilliantly through the showcase and I'm really looking forward to returning on Monday for a very special signing event. Big thank you to Ben Humphries for an extremely well-organised visit.... much appreciated! My recent visit to Whitchurch Primary in Tavistock also made the headlines... the event was featured on the front cover of the Times Gazette...
...and here's a link to the article; http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=22540&headline=Author%20visit%20for%20pupils Thank you for reading this week's BlogSpot... hope you enjoyed it. I'll be working closer to home next week with more author visits in Devon, then I'll be heading to Wiltshire to visit four schools in Swindon the following week... so lot's to catch up on and share with you.
Best wishes for now, DLJ :)
I also took the opportunity to call in to St Ann's Primary to meet my good friend Zoe Croot. Whilst chatting she mentioned an article that appeared in the Clifton Community News about my last visit to Rotherham... so I headed over to Clifton Community Arts School and met with Rachael Grice, who kindly supplied copies of the publication and here's a link to the news story http://cliftonschool.org/index.php/393-author-visit
I returned to Devon on Thursday for an early night, as I had to be 'fit & ready' for my final event of the week on Friday in Exmouth. Brixington Primary School hosted my author visit with over 300 children in the audience. It was a very hot day but all the children sat brilliantly through the showcase and I'm really looking forward to returning on Monday for a very special signing event. Big thank you to Ben Humphries for an extremely well-organised visit.... much appreciated! My recent visit to Whitchurch Primary in Tavistock also made the headlines... the event was featured on the front cover of the Times Gazette...
...and here's a link to the article; http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=22540&headline=Author%20visit%20for%20pupils Thank you for reading this week's BlogSpot... hope you enjoyed it. I'll be working closer to home next week with more author visits in Devon, then I'll be heading to Wiltshire to visit four schools in Swindon the following week... so lot's to catch up on and share with you. Best wishes for now, DLJ :)
June 28, 2013
Five days of literary bliss!!!
The Bradley Baker road show is still moving along nicely with another non-stop week full of literary bliss. Monday and Tuesday were packed with showcases and signing events at two of the largest schools in Plymouth. I visited Montpelier and Leigham to present to over a thousand students.... and what brilliant attentive audiences they turned out to be! Two superb events with the familiar sight of more long queues full of eager Bradley Baker fans. My signing table was very busy indeed resulting in record breaking book sales at each school. On Wednesday I revisited Chudleigh CE Community Primary to complete the year 5 book publication project. "Chudleigh's Big Adventure" is now available to buy online and is crammed-packed full of short stories written by the talented children. Here's a sneak preview of the front and back cover:
On Thursday and Friday it was time for more showcase presentations and book signing events. This time I travelled to East Devon to visit two schools either side of the Exe Estuary. First it was Kenton and then onto Sidbury near Sidmouth. The Bradmobile MKII is certainly clocking up the miles this month!!! Both schools were great and I'd like to convey a big thank you to Claire Muir at Sidbury and all the teaching staff at Kenton for organising the events, which both proved to be a great success. Here's a picture taken at Kenton... I was very happy to receive a thank you card from one of the year groups;
The academic year will be coming to a close soon but I still have plenty of events booked in the diary right up to and including the last day of term. I'll be able to tell you all about my second trip to Rotherham next week, as I'll be visiting another four schools in the Clifton area; East Dene, Coleridge, High Greave and also a school where one of my cousin's is part of the learning team... Whiston Worrygoose. I'm really looking forward to catching up with my close family and some old friends again during my four day stay in South Yorkshire. That's all for now folks... thanks for popping by to catch up with my weekly activities. Life as a children's author is great fun and very rewarding, as I get to meet so many nice people!!! Hope you enjoyed reading this week's BlogSpot. Best wishes for now, DLJ
On Thursday and Friday it was time for more showcase presentations and book signing events. This time I travelled to East Devon to visit two schools either side of the Exe Estuary. First it was Kenton and then onto Sidbury near Sidmouth. The Bradmobile MKII is certainly clocking up the miles this month!!! Both schools were great and I'd like to convey a big thank you to Claire Muir at Sidbury and all the teaching staff at Kenton for organising the events, which both proved to be a great success. Here's a picture taken at Kenton... I was very happy to receive a thank you card from one of the year groups;
The academic year will be coming to a close soon but I still have plenty of events booked in the diary right up to and including the last day of term. I'll be able to tell you all about my second trip to Rotherham next week, as I'll be visiting another four schools in the Clifton area; East Dene, Coleridge, High Greave and also a school where one of my cousin's is part of the learning team... Whiston Worrygoose. I'm really looking forward to catching up with my close family and some old friends again during my four day stay in South Yorkshire. That's all for now folks... thanks for popping by to catch up with my weekly activities. Life as a children's author is great fun and very rewarding, as I get to meet so many nice people!!! Hope you enjoyed reading this week's BlogSpot. Best wishes for now, DLJ
June 23, 2013
Thousands of new Bradley Baker readers... and the fanbase is growing day by day!!!
This week was a week that turned a memorable corner in terms of the numbers of children joining the Bradley Baker fan-base. The queues at my signing events are growing event-by-event and recorded number of book sales has been breathtakingly fantastic. I have received so many lovely messages and met tens of thousands of children during my school visits during this very busy academic year. The first three books in the series have been scooped up in their thousands from my signing table across the country and when you receive comments like the one below, it can't help but warm your insides to think that the fourth adventure will be just as (or even more) popular than the Pathylon trilogy; "Can I have details on 4th book release and signing I love the books I have the first 3 signed from Stowford school, but would love to have the 4th when out and have it signed also... and the books are amazing!" Lilli-Anne from Stowford. I have been receiving hundreds of comments like this via my website contact page... so with this in mind I have been planning my writing schedule this week, which will see me confined to my writing shack throughout the summer break in order to complete "Bradley Baker and the Gullfather of New York"... I have to say I'm really enjoying the plotlines for this latest adventure and can't wait to finish it in time for the September release deadline.
Posters to promote the new book have been produced courtesy of the Exeter-based print company "Short Run Press"... and I attended my first school summer fete this week at St Michael's CE primary. The posters proved very popular indeed... especially with the boys!!
Another school visit proved very popular this week. I attended Whitchurch in Tavistock and the children really liked my showcase presentation. Here are some of the students with their heads in their new Bradley Baker books after the signing event.
I also met India, who asked if she could sing to me during my visit to Whitchurch. I of course jumped at the opportunity to listen to what turned out to be "the voice of an angel". Here she is with her year 5 teacher and me following a fantastic solo performance. I think we are looking at a future Leona Lewis in the making!!!
Another fabulous week for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Stowford School in Ivybridge, Mount Street in Plymouth and Whitchurch School in Tavistock. Special thanks to Sue Williams and Jamie Green at Stowford..., Mary Jane Saunders at Mount Street and Nick Hoar at Whitchurch for preparing the children ready for my visits... all three events were a great success for everyone involved... especially the students, who were so enthused and hopefully totally inspired by my visits!!! That's all for this week folks. Thanks for popping by to read my weekly blog and they'll be lots more to tell you about this time next week.Best wishes, DLJ
Posters to promote the new book have been produced courtesy of the Exeter-based print company "Short Run Press"... and I attended my first school summer fete this week at St Michael's CE primary. The posters proved very popular indeed... especially with the boys!!
Another school visit proved very popular this week. I attended Whitchurch in Tavistock and the children really liked my showcase presentation. Here are some of the students with their heads in their new Bradley Baker books after the signing event.
I also met India, who asked if she could sing to me during my visit to Whitchurch. I of course jumped at the opportunity to listen to what turned out to be "the voice of an angel". Here she is with her year 5 teacher and me following a fantastic solo performance. I think we are looking at a future Leona Lewis in the making!!!
Another fabulous week for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Stowford School in Ivybridge, Mount Street in Plymouth and Whitchurch School in Tavistock. Special thanks to Sue Williams and Jamie Green at Stowford..., Mary Jane Saunders at Mount Street and Nick Hoar at Whitchurch for preparing the children ready for my visits... all three events were a great success for everyone involved... especially the students, who were so enthused and hopefully totally inspired by my visits!!! That's all for this week folks. Thanks for popping by to read my weekly blog and they'll be lots more to tell you about this time next week.Best wishes, DLJ
June 15, 2013
The perfect "Decoy" this week!
Back in March, I received an invitation to present to all the KS2 children at Decoy Primary in Newton Abbot... and what a fantastic event it turned out to be this week! All the teaching staff and over 280 students enjoyed my showcase presentation, which resulted in a popular book signing event to follow.
One pupil came up with an idea for Bradley Baker's fifth adventure story... so I asked him to draw me a picture, which impressed me very much. Here's what he presented to me during the book signing event in the school library;
I returned to Chudleigh C of E Community School at the end of the week and spent the whole day with the year 5 students. We continued to work on the school's book publication project and I'll be returning in two weeks time to complete the workshops... pics to follow! More events to tell you about next week, when I will be visiting a school in Ivybridge and two more primary schools in Plymouth. A very busy week ahead!!! Catch up soon and best wishes, DLJ :)
One pupil came up with an idea for Bradley Baker's fifth adventure story... so I asked him to draw me a picture, which impressed me very much. Here's what he presented to me during the book signing event in the school library;
I returned to Chudleigh C of E Community School at the end of the week and spent the whole day with the year 5 students. We continued to work on the school's book publication project and I'll be returning in two weeks time to complete the workshops... pics to follow! More events to tell you about next week, when I will be visiting a school in Ivybridge and two more primary schools in Plymouth. A very busy week ahead!!! Catch up soon and best wishes, DLJ :)
June 9, 2013
Plymouth and back again!
This has to have been the most diverse week of the year so far... it was definitely a "round-robin" journey! Starting with the Children's University Graduation at Plymouth on Monday... a tour of schools in Exeter midweek... a very interesting meeting with the CEO at the Families for Children HQ in Buckfastleigh on Wednesday... and finishing with a superb visit back to Plymouth on Friday with a showcase presentation at Prince Rock Primary!!! Wowzers!!!
I resumed my role as Chancellor for the Children's University Torbay to present certificates to 48 young students. It was a great pleasure to meet Professor Iain Stewart (Devon Chancellor - CU) and we shared the stage at the Torbay & Devon graduation award ceremony at Plymouth University.
Some more brilliant new relationships were forged during the evening at Plymouth University. My books were on display and were very well received. This resulted in an invitation to feature the Bradley Baker adventure stories as part of a BA Hons module at St Mark & St John University Plymouth next year... looking forward to working with the students in 2014. On Tuesday I visited Pinhoe Primary School in Exeter where the children enjoyed my showcase presentation and book signing session. I arrived to a rapturous welcome, with banners and even a cake baked to celebrate my author visit. A big thank you to Brigid Tarrell the school's fantastic librarian for organising a brilliant event. I will be returning to Pinhoe after the summer break to work with some of the students during a series of creative workshops... so really looking forward to another great reception!
A visit to the head office of Families for Children on Wednesday was a great success. I met with the CEO Caroline Davis and we discussed how I could support this fantastic voluntary adoption agency. FFC help to find loving families for kids up and down the UK, who need a home which will provide them with the love and care they need. We discussed the possibility of an adoption storyline featuring in the next Bradley Baker book... so watch this space folks!!!
Thursday and Friday proved to be two great days back in Plymouth, with visits to Prince Rock Community School. Cheryl Brake Deputy Headteacher arranged everything and she was pleasantly surprised to witness so many children having their books signed following my author presentation.
I had another special delivery on Friday too... an envelope arrived with a lovely handmade thank you card inside. Here's a picture of the card, which was sent by the teaching staff and children from Wilcombe school in Tiverton following my recent visit;
So yes... a somewhat diverse week that started in Plymouth and finished in Plymouth... and there's lots more happening next week but that's all for now!
Catch up with you all again soon.
Best wishes, DLJ :)
I resumed my role as Chancellor for the Children's University Torbay to present certificates to 48 young students. It was a great pleasure to meet Professor Iain Stewart (Devon Chancellor - CU) and we shared the stage at the Torbay & Devon graduation award ceremony at Plymouth University.
Some more brilliant new relationships were forged during the evening at Plymouth University. My books were on display and were very well received. This resulted in an invitation to feature the Bradley Baker adventure stories as part of a BA Hons module at St Mark & St John University Plymouth next year... looking forward to working with the students in 2014. On Tuesday I visited Pinhoe Primary School in Exeter where the children enjoyed my showcase presentation and book signing session. I arrived to a rapturous welcome, with banners and even a cake baked to celebrate my author visit. A big thank you to Brigid Tarrell the school's fantastic librarian for organising a brilliant event. I will be returning to Pinhoe after the summer break to work with some of the students during a series of creative workshops... so really looking forward to another great reception!
A visit to the head office of Families for Children on Wednesday was a great success. I met with the CEO Caroline Davis and we discussed how I could support this fantastic voluntary adoption agency. FFC help to find loving families for kids up and down the UK, who need a home which will provide them with the love and care they need. We discussed the possibility of an adoption storyline featuring in the next Bradley Baker book... so watch this space folks!!!
Thursday and Friday proved to be two great days back in Plymouth, with visits to Prince Rock Community School. Cheryl Brake Deputy Headteacher arranged everything and she was pleasantly surprised to witness so many children having their books signed following my author presentation.I had another special delivery on Friday too... an envelope arrived with a lovely handmade thank you card inside. Here's a picture of the card, which was sent by the teaching staff and children from Wilcombe school in Tiverton following my recent visit;
So yes... a somewhat diverse week that started in Plymouth and finished in Plymouth... and there's lots more happening next week but that's all for now!
Catch up with you all again soon.
Best wishes, DLJ :)
From Plymouth to Plymouth!
This has to have been the most diverse week of the year so far... it was definitely a "round-robin" journey! Starting with the Children's University Graduation at Plymouth on Monday... a tour of schools in Exeter midweek... a very interesting meeting with the CEO at the Families for Children HQ in Buckfastleigh on Wednesday... and finishing with a superb visit back to Plymouth on Friday with a showcase presentation at Prince Rock Primary!!! Wowzers!!!
I resumed my role as Chancellor for the Children's University Torbay to present certificates to 48 young students. It was a great pleasure to meet Professor Iain Stewart (Devon Chancellor - CU) and we shared the stage at the Torbay & Devon graduation award ceremony at Plymouth University.
Some more brilliant new relationships were forged during the evening at Plymouth University. My books were on display and were very well received. This resulted in an invitation to feature the Bradley Baker adventure stories as part of a BA Hons module at St Mark & St John University Plymouth next year... looking forward to working with the students in 2014. On Tuesday I visited Pinhoe Primary School in Exeter where the children enjoyed my showcase presentation and book signing session. I arrived to a rapturous welcome, with banners and even a cake baked to celebrate my author visit. A big thank you to Brigid Tarrell the school's fantastic librarian for organising a brilliant event. I will be returning to Pinhoe after the summer break to work with some of the students during a series of creative workshops... so really looking forward to another great reception!
A visit to the head office of Families for Children on Wednesday was a great success. I met with the CEO Caroline Davis and we discussed how I could support this fantastic voluntary adoption agency. FFC help to find loving families for kids up and down the UK, who need a home which will provide them with the love and care they need. We discussed the possibility of an adoption storyline featuring in the next Bradley Baker book... so watch this space folks!!!
Thursday and Friday proved to be two great days back in Plymouth, with visits to Prince Rock Community School. Cheryl Brake Deputy Headteacher arranged everything and she was pleasantly surprised to witness so many children having their books signed following my author presentation.
I had another special delivery on Friday too... an envelope arrived with a lovely handmade thank you card inside. Here's a picture of the card, which was sent by the teaching staff and children from Wilcombe school in Tiverton following my recent visit;
So yes... a somewhat diverse week that started in Plymouth and finished in Plymouth... and there's lots more happening next week but that's all for now!
Catch up with you all again soon.
Best wishes, DLJ :)
I resumed my role as Chancellor for the Children's University Torbay to present certificates to 48 young students. It was a great pleasure to meet Professor Iain Stewart (Devon Chancellor - CU) and we shared the stage at the Torbay & Devon graduation award ceremony at Plymouth University.
Some more brilliant new relationships were forged during the evening at Plymouth University. My books were on display and were very well received. This resulted in an invitation to feature the Bradley Baker adventure stories as part of a BA Hons module at St Mark & St John University Plymouth next year... looking forward to working with the students in 2014. On Tuesday I visited Pinhoe Primary School in Exeter where the children enjoyed my showcase presentation and book signing session. I arrived to a rapturous welcome, with banners and even a cake baked to celebrate my author visit. A big thank you to Brigid Tarrell the school's fantastic librarian for organising a brilliant event. I will be returning to Pinhoe after the summer break to work with some of the students during a series of creative workshops... so really looking forward to another great reception!
A visit to the head office of Families for Children on Wednesday was a great success. I met with the CEO Caroline Davis and we discussed how I could support this fantastic voluntary adoption agency. FFC help to find loving families for kids up and down the UK, who need a home which will provide them with the love and care they need. We discussed the possibility of an adoption storyline featuring in the next Bradley Baker book... so watch this space folks!!!
Thursday and Friday proved to be two great days back in Plymouth, with visits to Prince Rock Community School. Cheryl Brake Deputy Headteacher arranged everything and she was pleasantly surprised to witness so many children having their books signed following my author presentation.I had another special delivery on Friday too... an envelope arrived with a lovely handmade thank you card inside. Here's a picture of the card, which was sent by the teaching staff and children from Wilcombe school in Tiverton following my recent visit;
So yes... a somewhat diverse week that started in Plymouth and finished in Plymouth... and there's lots more happening next week but that's all for now!
Catch up with you all again soon.
Best wishes, DLJ :)
