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John Hegley
With his usual razor-sharp wit, John Hegley launched the
Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest family event at a sell-out
performance at the Lantern Library in Harlescott on Thursday 1
May.
John has performed around the world at festivals big and small,
from Shrewsbury to Melbourne, and is also regularly to be heard
on the radio and seen on our TV screens – including appearances
on Blue Peter and The Richard and Judy Show, among many others.
He performs poems on subjects as diverse as dogs, potatoes and
spectacles.
During Thursday afternoon, John visited Mount Pleasant Junior
School. He began by treating the whole school in assembly to
some poetry and songs with ‘Steve’ the mandolin (shaped like a
guitar to appear more Roman!). And he presented the prizes for
the Year 6 poetry competition he had instigated as part of his
trip. First prize – four tickets to his evening event at the
Lantern – was won by Chloe Walsh for ‘Ode to my Carton of Milk’.
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Prize winner Chloe
Walsh with
John Hegley
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John spent the rest of his afternoon creating poetry and
pictures with the Year 6s. Weird and wonderful animals appeared
before our eyes as John fired their imagination with helpful
hints, wandering the room like a Pied Piper playing ‘Steve’. In
a short space of time the children had produced some fantastic
work – which John later read for broadcast on BBC Radio
Shropshire. He chose the Platypus with the Bat as the best poem
– and gave the author one of his books as a prize – with the
Rabbit and the Crocodile as close runners-up.
We thank the children, Head Teacher Mr Brannen, Mrs Lewis and
all the teachers and support staff for their hard work before
and during the event. John had a wonderful time.
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John Hegley at
Mount Pleasant
Junior School
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In the evening John continued his theme of audience
participation by getting every member of the audience to create
their very own ABC Book of Animals. He soon had everyone drawing
as he once again toured the room strumming ‘Steve'. Poetic
prankster that he is, he managed to entwine words and songs
together to make everyone – young and old – giggle and beg for
more.
This was a fabulous start to the Bookfest and we are looking
forward to his next appearance and wish him well at his Potato
Festival in France!
What the audience said:
"Really funny – I like how he got the adults involved too."
"I loved it. He was a bit strict but he was very funny."
"Very, very funny – I am inspired."
"Great all round family entertainment. Come back soon."
Winning Entry
“Ode to a Carton of Milk”
Oh marvellous silky milk!
I adore your fabulous flavour and pearly colour.
You drown my tonsils in your luscious liquid.
You have a glorious figure,
With your hand on your hip.
Oh I’d love to have a sip.
When I take a sensational slurp,
I give out a great big burp.
You get me to sleep at night.
Oh milk you’re my delight.
By Chloe Walsh, Mount Pleasant Junior School
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