EVENTS

2 0 2 5
February
3rd   School Visit for National Storytelling Week at Coquet Park First School, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside – delivering various workshops to Nursery, Reception, Year 1 to Year 4.
7th   School Visit for National Storytelling Week at Witton Middle School, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire – delivering ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop to Years 5, 6 & 7.
     
March    
4th   School Visit for World Book Day at Ravensfield Community Primary School, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester – delivering various workshops to Reception, Year 1 to Year 6. 
6th   School Visit for World Book Day at Christ Church C.E. First School, Stone, Staffordshire – delivering various workshops to Reception, Year 1 to Year 4.
7th   School Visit for World Book Day at St. Margaret’s CE Primary School, Manchester – delivering various workshops to Years 4, 5 & 6.
8th   Manchester World Book Day Event – performing animal stories and poems from my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop – Trafford Palazzo, Manchester (12.00 pm – 12:30 pm, 1.00 pm – 1:30 pm & 2.00 pm – 2:30 pm).
13th   Virtual School Visit for Winners of WBD Competition at Arc School Napton (SEMH school), Southam, Warwickshire – delivering my ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ workshop to children aged 7-11 years old.
14th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – performing poetry from my new book ‘I Don’t Want To Go to Bed’ for Reception, KS1 & KS2 during their assemblies.
     
May    
8th   Online Poetry Workshop for the 80th anniversary of VE Day at various schools – delivering my ‘WW2 War Poetry’ workshop to KS2 (10.00 am – 11.00 am).
8th   Online Poetry Workshop for the 80th anniversary of VE Day at various schools – delivering my ‘WW2 War Poetry’ workshop to KS3 (11.30 am – 12.30 pm).
23rd   Book Signing/Book Sale at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
     
June    
7th   Book Signing/Book Sale at Leek Book Festival – Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek ST13 6HQ.
     

P A S T   E V E N T S

2 0 2 4
March
4th   School Visit for World Book Day at The Bliss Charity School, Northamptonshire – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2.
5th   School Visit for World Book Day at Marlpool Junior School, Derbyshire – delivering my ‘Titanic’ workshop to KS2.
6th   School Visit for World Book Day at Our Lady’s Catholic Academy, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop to Nursery & Reception, ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 1 & 2, ‘Titanic’ workshop to Year 3 & 4, and ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop to Year 5 & 6.
7th   School Visit for World Book Day at Burnt Tree Primary School, Oldbury, West Midlands – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop for Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2, ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop for Year 3 & 4 and ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop for Year 5 & 6.
8th   Virtual School Visit for World Book Day at Manor Road Primary School, Lancashire – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2.
21st   Online Poetry Workshop for World Poetry Day at various schools – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 (9.30 am – 10.30 am).
21st   Online Poetry Workshop for World Poetry Day at various schools – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 2 to Year 6 (11.00 am – 12.00 pm).
21st   Virtual School Visit for World Poetry Day at Unsworth Academy, Bury, Lancashire – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 7.
     
May    
14th   Author Visit for a Teddy Bears Picnic event (during Dementia Week) at The Chase Care Home, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop to visiting children from a local nursery and my ‘Conflict’ poetry workshop to the residents.
20th   Virtual School Visit for a Pizza & Poetry event at Furley Park Primary Academy, Ashford, Kent – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Year 4 to Year 6.
     
June
5th & 6th   School Visit at Hanley St Luke’s C of E Academy, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop for Reception, Year 1 & Year 2, ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop for Year 3 & 4 and ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ workshop for Year 5 & 6.
26th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop performing war poems to Year 5.
27th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
     
July
1st   School Visit at West Craven High School, Barnoldswick, Lancashire – delivering my ‘Conflict’ workshop to Year 9.
9th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Reception.
     
September    
30th   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Cherry Orchard Primary School, Worcester – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop to Pre-School & Reception, ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Year 1 & Year 2, ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop for Year 3 & 4 and ‘Damaged Earth’ workshop to Year 5 & 6.
     
October    
2nd   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Donisthorpe Primary School, Derbyshire – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 1 & 2 and ‘Damaged Earth’ workshop to Year 3, 4, 5 & 6.
3rd   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Longridge School (Special Educational Needs School), Penkridge, Staffordshire – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop, ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop and ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop.
4th   Virtual School Visit at Hilden Park School (Special Educational Needs School), Tonbridge, Kent – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop.
4th   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop for KS1 & KS2 during their assemblies.
15th   Virtual School Visit at Sticklepath Community Primary Academy, Devon – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop to Year 4 & 5.
26th   Spooktacular Event – performing spooky stories and poems as ‘Strolling Victorian Storytellers’ – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Hanley Town Centre, Stoke-on-Trent (11.00 am – 3.00 pm).
     
November    
5th   School Visit at Walton High School, Stafford – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop to Year 7.
6th   Virtual School Visit at Dubmire Primary Academy, Tyne and Wear – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop to KS2.
23rd   Santa’s Arrival Parade & Welcome to Christmas Event – performing stories and poems as ‘Victorian Storytellers’ – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Hanley Town Centre, Stoke-on-Trent (12.00 pm – 4.00 pm).
30th   Santa Experience Event – performing a Christmas story as ‘Mrs Claus’ – Alderford Lake (Santa’s Islands), Tilstock Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 3JQ (11.00 am – 3.30 pm).
     
December    
7th, 14th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd   Santa Experience Event – performing a Christmas story as ‘Mrs Claus’ – Alderford Lake (Santa’s Islands), Tilstock Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 3JQ (11.00 am – 3.30 pm).
     

 

2 0 2 3
February
27th   School Visit for World Book Day at Maple Court Academy, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2.
28th   School Visit for World Book Day at St Peters Catholic Primary School, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2.
     
March
1st   Virtual School Visit for World Book Day at Widey Court Primary School, Plymouth – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2.
2nd   School Visit for World Book Day at Newbold Verdon Primary School, Leicester – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Nursery, Reception, KS1 & KS2.
3rd   School Visit for World Book Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2 during assembly – along with fellow Resident Author Glenn Martin James.
     
June
16th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Reception.
21st   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
     
July    
16th   Newcastle-under-Lyme Medieval Market – performing stories and poems as ‘Strolling Storytellers’ – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre.
     
October    
5th   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Discovery Academy, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘Conflict’ workshop to Year 9.
6th   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to KS1 and my ‘Conflict’ workshop to KS2 during their assemblies.
     
November    
7th   School Visit at Alsagers Bank Primary Academy, Stoke-on-Trent – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop for Year 1, ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop for Year 2, ‘Titanic’ workshop for Year 3 & 4, ‘Conflict’ workshop for Year 4 & 5 and ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop for Year 6.
10th   Virtual School Visit at Portchester Community School, Portchester, Fareham, Hampshire – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop to Year 7 to Year 11.
15th   School Visit at Holy Souls Catholic Primary School, Birmingham – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop for Reception, ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop for Year 1 & 2, ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ workshop for Year 3 & 4 and ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop for Year 5 & 6.
18th   Welcome to Christmas Event – performing stories and poems as ‘Strolling Victorian Storytellers’ – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Hanley Town Centre, Stoke-on-Trent (11.00 am – 4.00 pm).
24th   Virtual School Visit at Perry Wood Primary and Nursery School, Worcester – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Reception, ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop to Year 1, ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to Year 2 & 3, ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ workshop to Year 4, ‘The Abandoned House’ workshop to Year 5 and ‘Titanic’ workshop for Year 6.
     

 

2 0 2 2
March
3rd   Virtual School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – for World Book Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to KS1 & KS2 during their online assembly.
     
June
4th   Crowning Ceremony Performance – A recreation of the coronation, where I played a BBC broadcaster – The Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (2.00 – 3.00 pm).
5th   Storytelling at Newcastle’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at The Guildhall, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre – performing my stories and poems along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James (3.00 – 4.30 pm).
14th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ workshop to Year 5 .
15th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
     
July
8th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Reception.
     
October
7th   School Visit for National Poetry Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To Eat That’ & ‘I Don’t Want to Stop Playing’ workshops to KS1 & KS2 during their assemblies.
     
December
17th   A Christmas Carol Performance – An adaptation of Charles Dicken’s immortal classic by The John O’Gaunt Irregulars Performance Group, where I played the narrator – Mellards Bar, Market Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1AA (7.00 – 8.00 pm). 
18th   A Christmas Carol Performance – An repeat performance of Charles Dicken’s immortal classic by The John O’Gaunt Irregulars Performance Group, where I played the narrator – Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (1.00 – 2.00 pm). 

 

2 0 2 1
(Due to Covid-19, some events planned for 2021 have been postponed or cancelled)
June
10th   Virtual School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop performing war poems to Year 5 and 6.
25th   Virtual School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
     
July
5th   School Visit at Yarlet School, near Stafford – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 3 to Year 7. 
     
September
7th   School Visit at The Orme Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – performing some of my poetry and talking about my career so far at their Library Launch (for the new Year 7). 
10th   Return School Visit at The Orme Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – performing some of my poetry and talking about my career so far at their Library Launch (for local primary schools’ Year 6).
     
October
7th   Virtual School Visit for National Poetry Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Eat That’ workshop to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their online assembly.
     
November
21st   Newcastle-under-Lyme Christmas Lights Switch On – performing stories and poems as ‘Roaming Victorian Storytellers’ during this popular event for the 5th year running – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (11.30 am – 5.00 pm).
     

 

2 0 2 0
(Due to Covid-19, numerous events planned for 2020 were postponed or cancelled)
March
5th   School Visit for World Book Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Go to School’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2 during assembly – along with fellow Resident Author Glenn Martin James.
     
October
1st   Virtual School Visit for National Poetry Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Go to Bed’ workshop to KS1 & KS2 during their online assembly.
     
November
7th   Stoke CEP Saturday, Inspiring Creative Education’ online event – Participating artist at this event for all teachers and educators (9.30 am – 4.30 pm).

 

2 0 1 9
 
February
     
28th   Year 6 Careers Fair – Stallholder at Clarice Cliff Primary School, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent –  talking to Year 6 about my profession at their Careers Fair.
     
March
4th   School Visit for World Book Day at Springcroft Primary School, Blythe Bridge – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Reception, KS1 & KS2 during assembly.
7th   School Visit for World Book Day at Silverdale Primary Academy, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop for Nursery & Reception, ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop for Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 and ‘Titanic’ workshop for Year 5 & 6.
26th   Youth Group Poetry Workshop at Friends for Leisure’s Crewe Youth Group – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything” workshop to 13-21-year-olds with special educational needs.
     
May
4th   Book Signing at the ‘Book Babes in Stoke’ Author Signing Event – The Moat House Hotel, Etruria Hall, Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BQ (9.30 am – 4.30 pm).
     
June
1st  

Queen Victoria’s 200th Birthday Celebration – An education trail involving famous Victorians (some with a local link), a display of Martian War Machines (built by Glenn Martin James) in celebration of the local connection to famous Sci-Fi author HG Wells. And a display of Victorian Toys for children to learn about, play with and then make their own – The Guildhall, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (11.00 – 3.00 pm).

Fellow author Glenn Martin James and I co-planned and delivered this event along with Newcastle-under-Lyme BID.
12th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
24th   Judging of Public Speaking Competition at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – KS2 finals.
29th  

Homecoming Celebration – Martian War Machines and Victorian Toys appeared in Newcastle for a second time, at the Homecoming celebration (on the back of the success of their first appearance on the 1st June)  – The Guildhall, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (11.00 – 3.00 pm). 

Fellow author Glenn Martin James and I were delighted to be asked to repeat the display/event.
     
July
1st   Judging of Public Speaking Competition at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – Reception/KS1 finals.
9th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Conflict’ workshop performing conflict poetry from my book ‘Conflict’ to Year 6.
     
September
21st   Mock Mayor Performance – A recreation of the old mock making ceremony – The Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (12.00 – 12.30 pm).
     
October
24th   3rd Annual Stoke CEP Cultural Arts Networking Event – Stallholder at this event for all teachers and educators – Staffordshire University, Henrion Gallery, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE (3.00 – 6.00 pm).
31st   ‘Spooky Spectacular’ Children’s Halloween Workshop at Artisan Tap, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent – performing spooky stories and poems – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James –  (6.00 – 7.30 pm).
     
November
16th   Newcastle-under-Lyme Christmas Lights Switch On – performing stories and poems as ‘Roaming Victorian Storytellers’ during this popular event for the 4th year running – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (11.30 am – 5.00 pm).
     

 

2 0 1 8
     
January
24th   Performance of poems with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – as ‘Roaming Poets’ at The (Un)Official Tour of Stoke event – Stoke-on-Trent (Meeting outside the Glebe pub, Stoke – 12 pm till 12.45pm & 1 pm till 1.45 pm).
     
March
29th   School Visit for World Book Day at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – performing my ‘I Don’t Want to Go to School’ workshop to KS1 & KS2 during assemblies – along with fellow Resident Author Glenn Martin James (postponed from World Book Day, 1st March due to snow).
     
May
14th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – performing poems on the ‘Rainforest’ to Year 4.
     
June
21st   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1.
25th   Judging of Public Speaking Competition at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – Reception/KS1 & KS2 finals.
     
July    
13th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. – delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ workshop to Year 3.
     
September
8th   Re-Launch of the St. Giles Heritage Churchyard Project ‘Heritage Trail and Education Pack’ – St Giles Church, Church St, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1QS (on Heritage Open Day – 11.00 am till 3.00 pm). Fellow author Glenn Martin James and I co-wrote and co-performed the Heritage Trail and co-wrote the ‘Engaging with History’ section of the Education Pack.
October
6th   Kidz of Carerz ‘Sons and Daughters’ Event performing poetry and delivering a creative writing session as part of a unique event for Foster Carers’ own children to celebrate the contribution they make to the Fostering Service and the lives of Children in Care – King Street Studios, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
24th   Cultural Education Conference & Tea Party – Stallholder at this cultural networking event for all teachers and educators – The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW (4.00 – 7.00 pm).
29th   ‘Guess the Animal’ Children’s Half-Term Workshop at The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ workshop performing animal stories and poems (10.15 – 11.15 am).
31st   ‘Spooky Spectacular’ Children’s Halloween Workshop at Artisan Tap, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent – performing spooky stories and poems – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James –  (6.00 – 7.00 pm).
     
November
17th   Newcastle-under-Lyme Christmas Lights Switch On – performing stories and poems as ‘Roaming Victorian Storytellers’ during this popular event for the 3rd year running – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre (12.00 – 5.30 pm).
     
December
7th   School Visit at Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme – delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ workshop performing war poems to Year 5.