Kath and I were invited by the lovely Helen Wilberforce and her team to take part in some opening events at the newly-refurbished Stockton Library. We entertained a number of schools during Friday morning and thouroughly enjoyed ourselves. The pupils and teachers seemed really appreciative or our efforts. Once again the library staff really looked after us…thank you Helen and Karen.

We travelled up to Yarm prior to the library events to visit four great schools. These were Levendale School, Layfield Primary, Thornaby Academy and Oakdene Primary. The schools were different in size, age of audience and catchment area, but in every case the pupils and staff were very enthusiastic and very welcoming. I’m sorry to go on singing praises again...but it’s true! We had a great time over the four days and were looked after incredibly well.  Oakdene

school held a Christmas Fayre on Friday evening and it proved a great way to finish off the week for us. We had a huge queue lined up to get their  ‘early Christmas presents’ and it was a joy to talk to so many keen pupils and parents. The usual BIG ‘thank you’ to all of the schools and staff for making us feel so welcome.

We must mention the wonderful Yarm Cottages opposite Conyer’s School on Worsall Road. The cottages were awarded GOLD AWARDS whilst we were there…no suprise to us! They are gorgeous and a great scenic and relaxing place to wind down. www.yarmcottages.co.uk

During the week we looked up our good friend Peter Huggins…affectionately known as ‘Peter Pops’. He has two very talented girls who are in to books and writing in a big way. I have visited their school, Yarm Primary School, a number of times. We always enjoy it there. Peter’s youngest daughter recently wrote a fab poem and it won a competition at her school. Here it is…no wonder it was a winner:

Reading is Great!

By Robyn Huggins, aged 9

We read to be thrilled, we read to be chilled,

We read to learn, we read to earn,

We read to do lots of different things…

How to bake cakes and how to mend rakes.

We read to escape to another land,

About fairytale princes joining a band,

We read to be happy when we’re feeling sad,

When I don’t have my book it drives me mad!

Books are great, books are fun, books are good for everyone!

Books can be enjoyed by all ages,

Even babies enjoy flicking through the pages,

Books can be enjoyed by those who are older, though the writing needs to be a lot bolder,

Even blind people can read about a whale, because they have special books that are written in Braille.

Fat ones, thin ones, it doesn’t matter which, you can even read them if you are stranded in a ditch!

Books can be read almost anywhere, from sitting on a toilet to sitting on a chair,

They can be read on a train or a plane,

They can be read in a car whilst travelling far,

or on a bus without any fuss

You can read them in the morning, you can read them at night,

But if you read a spooky one it may give you a fright!

You can take your favourite book to your favourite holiday place,

It will make you feel relaxed and put a smile upon your face!

Some like history, some like mystery,

Some like fact, some like fiction,

One thing’s for sure… books are an addiction!

It’s truly a great poem and sends out the same message as I try to send out myself…that reading is ‘cool’!

Thanks, Robyn…see you again soon. Give our best wishes to all at Yarm Primary.

Pete