Maidenhead’s Big Write Huge Success

​On Friday, 11th October, the Desborough Suite in Maidenhead was full of excited young writers, keen to hone their poetry writing skills as part of Maidenhead’s Big Write, a project run by Maidenhead’s Big Read. The poet, Coral Rumble, led the day, while members of Maidenhead’s Big Read organising team provided practical support.
 
The day was full of interactive fun and writing by Years 5 & 6 pupils, leading to a performance of the written poems in the afternoon, when family members of the children and their teachers were invited to come and watch.  The participating schools were St Mary’s, Waltham St Lawrence, Cookham Dean, Woodlands Park, St Luke’s and Holyport.
 
Coral commented, “I’m thrilled with how today has gone. There was a constant buzz in the theatre from beginning to end; a productive buzz that never became destructive!”
 
It is hoped that this will be the inaugural Big Write, and that many other local school children will be able to experience a day of writing freedom, exploration and recital in the coming years.
 
Stephan Stephan, Chairman of Maidenhead’s Big Read commented “The schools, and the parents, have much reason to be proud of the excellent behaviour and creative focus of their children. It was amazing to see the originality in the room and we hope this has sparked the imaginations of all the children that attended; encouraging them to read more and write innovative pieces”.
 
This event is just one of many organised by Maidenhead’s Big Read whose aim is to increasing reading, the love of reading and associated wellbeing in our community among the young and old whilst at the same time improve the attainment of children in our schools, bring families and neighbours together to share books, stories and activities. 
 
The organising team are currently busy planning the next Maidenhead Big Read 10-day festival that will take over the town centre from 28th February to 8th March 2020. To be kept up to date with all the latest and be the first to know when tickets are released for this next event, keep an eye on the website here: www.maidenheads-big-read.org.uk
 
Stephan continued to say, “We are very thankful to the National Lottery Awards for All, Louis Baylis Trust and Spoors Merry Rixman who were our most generous grant-givers for The Big Read, and this special event, enabling us to continue to bring reading to life as personal development for all.  We are also very grateful for the support from RBWM and Coral Rumble”.