EVENTS
2 0 2 3 | ||
February | ||
27th | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils – Maple Court Academy, Stoke-on-Trent. | |
28th | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils – St Peters Catholic Primary School, Stoke-on-Trent. | |
March | ||
1st | Virtual School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils – Widey Court Primary School, Plymouth. | |
2nd | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils – Newbold Verdon Primary School, Leicester. | |
3rd | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils during assembly – along with fellow Resident Author Glenn Martin James – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
June | ||
16th | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Reception pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
21st | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 delivering my ‘Conflict’ Workshop to Year 9 pupils – Discovery Academy, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent. | |
6th | School Visit for National Poetry Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ & ‘Conflict’ Workshops to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their assemblies – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
November | ||
7th | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop for Year 1 pupils, my ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop for Year 2 pupils, my ‘Titanic’ Workshop for Year 3 & 4 pupils, my ‘Conflict’ Workshop for Year 4 & 5 pupils and my ‘Lest We Forget’ Workshop for Year 6 pupils – Alsagers Bank Primary Academy, Stoke-on-Trent. | |
10th | Virtual School Visit delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ Workshop to Year 7 to Year 11 pupils – Portchester Community School, Portchester, Fareham, Hampshire. | |
15th | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop for Reception pupils, my ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop for Year 1 & 2 pupils, my ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ Workshop for Year 3 & 4 pupils and my ‘The Abandoned House’ Workshop for Year 5 & 6 pupils – Holy Souls Catholic Primary School, Birmingham. | |
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 delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop for Reception pupils, my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop for Year 1 pupils, ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop for Year 2 & 3 pupils, my ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ Workshop for Year 4 pupils, my ‘The Abandoned House’ Workshop for Year 5 pupils and my ‘Titanic’ Workshop for Year 6 pupils – Perry Wood Primary and Nursery School, Worcester. | |
P A S T E V E N T S
2 0 2 2 | ||
March | ||
3rd | Virtual School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To’ Workshop to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their online assembly – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 performing my stories and poems along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – The Guildhall, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre, ST5 0QP (3.00 – 4.30 pm). | |
14th | School Visit delivering my ‘I Want to be an Engineer’ Workshop to Year 5 pupils. Performing some of my STEM poetry, tackling stereotypes of engineers and encouraging all genders to consider/pursue engineering and STEM subjects – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
15th | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
July | ||
8th | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Reception pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
October | ||
7th | School Visit for National Poetry Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want To Eat That’ & ‘I Don’t Want to Stop Playing’ Workshops to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their assemblies – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ Workshop performing war poems to Year 5 and 6 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
25th | Virtual School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1 – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
July | ||
5th | School Visit delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop to Years 3 to 7 – Yarlet School, near Stafford. | |
September | ||
7th | School Visit performing some of my poetry and talking about my career so far at their Library Launch (for the new Year 7) – The Orme Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
10th | Return School Visit performing some of my poetry and talking about my career so far at their Library Launch (for local primary schools’ Year 6) – The Orme Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
October | ||
7th | Virtual School Visit for National Poetry Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Eat That’ Workshop to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their online assembly – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Go to School’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils during assembly – along with fellow Resident Author Glenn Martin James – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
October | ||
1st | Virtual School Visit for National Poetry Day delivering my ‘I Don’t Want to Go to Bed’ Workshop to KS1 & KS2 pupils during their online assembly – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 this Careers Fair for Year 6 pupils, talking to the pupils about my profession – Clarice Cliff Primary School, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. | |
March | ||
4th | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop to EYFS, KS1 & KS2 pupils during assembly – Springcroft Primary School, Blythe Bridge. | |
7th | School Visit for World Book Day delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop for Nursery/Reception pupils, my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop for Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 pupils and my ‘Titanic’ Workshop for Year 5 & 6 pupils – Silverdale Primary Academy, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
26th | Youth Group Poetry Workshop delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything” Workshop to Friends for Leisure’s Crewe Youth Group (13-21-year-olds with special educational needs) – All Saints Church, Stewart Street, Crewe, CW2 8LX (6.30 – 8.00 pm). | |
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 delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
24th | Judging of Public Speaking Competition of KS2 finals – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 of EYFS/KS1 finals – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
9th | School Visit delivering my ‘Conflict’ Workshop performing conflict poetry from my book ‘Conflict’ to Year 6 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 performing spooky stories and poems (mainly from my ‘The Abandoned House’ Workshop) – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Artisan Tap, 552 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6AF (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 performing a selection of poems/stories (mainly from 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) – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
May | ||
14th | School Visit performing poems on the ‘Rainforest’ to Year 4 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
June | ||
21st | School Visit delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems to Year 1 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
25th | Judging of Public Speaking Competition of both EYFS/KS1 & KS2 finals – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
July | ||
13th | School Visit delivering my ‘Poetry Can Be About Anything’ Workshop performing a selection of poems to show poetry’s diversity to Year 3 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. | |
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 delivering my ‘Guess the Animal’ Workshop performing animal stories and poems – The Brampton Museum, Brampton Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0QP (10.15 – 11.15 am). | |
31st | ‘Spooky Spectacular’ Children’s Halloween Workshop performing spooky stories and poems (mainly from my ‘The Abandoned House’ Workshop) – along with fellow author & illustrator Glenn Martin James – Artisan Tap, 552 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6AF (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 delivering my ‘Lest We Forget’ Workshop performing war poems to Year 5 pupils – Ellison Primary Academy, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. |