CHILDRENS AUTHOR OPENS NEW £30000 LIBRARY AT BELMONT GROSVENOR SCHOOL
28th April 2009
Best-selling children’s author Nicholas Allan gave pupils at a leading North Yorkshire prep school an insight into some of his best-selling books – and officially opened its new £30,000 library.
The award-winning writer of The Queen’s Knickers, Cinderella’s Bum and Jesus’ Christmas Party spent the day at Belmont Grosvenor School, on the outskirts of Harrogate, running a series of workshops with pupils of all ages, from nursery and reception to Year 6.
As well as drawing, writing and storytelling with the children, Mr Allan then opened the school’s newly refurbished library.
The £30,000 refurbishment of the library has been paid for by the school’s Parent Teache Association and school funds, and the new room includes solid ash shelving, a six-station computer facility and state-of-the-art technology to allow children to scan their thumb prints to take out books. The library will become the focus for the school’s book clubs, book fairs, as well as storytime activities and readathons.
Deputy Headteacher Rebecca Riddell is delighted Mr Allan was able to visit the co-educational school to work with pupils and open the new library.
“We are thrilled that Nicholas Allan was able to share this special day with the children. His fun and creative stories really inspire a love of reading and books; he was the perfect guest writer to open our new library,” she said.
As the writer and illustrator of more than 30 children’s books, Mr Allan’s books have won many awards and been translated into 20 languages. He’s also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that was adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series for CITV.
The new library is part of an on-going programme of improvements and investments at Belmont Grosvenor School, which last year saw former pupil and Olympic Gold Medallist Andrew Hodge open a new £35,000 outdoor classroom, amphitheatre and adventure trail.
