Brilliant Britannia!

This must be the quickest I've ever posted about a day at a school! I've literally just come in through my front door (after a LOT of traffic on the M62 - ugh), and sat down to write about my day at Britannia Bridge Primary School in Wigan. My first EVER Wigan school. I had a new accent to get used to - as did the children!

Words I noticed that are pronounced differently in Wigan as opposed to Wakefield (where I'm from...)

I say 'stairs'
Wigan children say 'sturs'
I say 'unawares'
Wigan children say 'unawurs'
I say 'book'
Wigan children say 'booooooooooook'


But that's all part of the rich tapestry of language that this country is made up of. I love travelling about and hearing different accents. And it's been a lovely day at Britannia (where, I'm glad to report, there is SOME West Yorkshire influence - Mr D, the head teacher, is orignally from Leeds!). I was privileged to work all day in the brand new library that school have sorted for the children - lots of lovely books on the shelves, punctuation themed seats (!), and a regular flow of giddy and enthusiastic children coming to visit me to listen to my poems and stories. They were brilliant (the children, that is - though I hope the poems and stories were ok too?!), and seemed to love spending some time in the new library.

We did lots of different things, from finding out about a naughty magpie, to shouting at the Wind, doing tongue twisters, learning and performing poems, and telling a rather spooky story (and boy, did Year 6 jump at that one!).

I was also EXTREMELY pleased to be given a brand new poem, based on one of my poems - The Biscuit Burglar - in my latest book of poems. Thank you so much Ellise - here is your poem for everyone to enjoy...

Sorry it's not the right way up, but I just cannot seem to get it to do what I want. Computers, eh?!!! You're better off sticking with books.

I also received a lovely thank you note from some children...

Which, for some reason, has come out the right way?!!!!!!

One more thing that was VERY exciting was that school decided to purchase one of my books for each child in school. So as I drove away at the end of the day, I could see Britannia Bridge children all over the place with their noses buried in one of my books - that was a great image and I hope that everyone enjoys reading my poems. 

So a big thank you to ALL the staff, ALL the children, and especially the two BRILLIANT librarians who have helped me to have a great day. I loved it!

Shall we do it all again sometime?!!!