On 2nd June 2009 Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest was announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the UK winning the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, recognises the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.

Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest was given the Award for its work in “inspiring, enthusing and entertaining children through literature and the arts”.

Sophie Peach, Chair of the Bookfest Organising Committee said: “We are extremely honoured to have received this Award. We are very grateful for the tremendous support and goodwill we have received over the years from local organisations, businesses, schools and families. And we’re grateful to the wonderful authors and illustrators who have come to Shrewsbury and enthused and inspired so many thousands of children.

“Most other literary festivals are run by paid teams of professional organisers. But Bookfest is run entirely by volunteers, all of whom are parents and most of whom have other paid jobs, who collectively put in hundreds of hours’ work through the year. We are therefore especially thrilled to have won such a prestigious national award.”

“

  Along with dozens of other authors and tens of thousands of children, I have witnessed the commitment and flair that has made Shrewsbury Bookfest what it is. Staffed entirely by a wonderful team of enthusiasts, Shrewsbury Bookfest is a beacon of excellence amongst literary festivals. It has been a joy and a privilege to have been associated with it.”

Michael Morpurgo
Patron of Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest