A NATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED storyteller has hailed the efforts of a small Cumbrian community that is keeping the arts alive in an age of austerity.

Storytelling laureate, Taffy Thomas MBE, enchanted pupils of Captain Shaw’s Primary School with traditional tales at the official opening of the Bootle Book Box on Thursday.

In the absence of a library, the Book Box was dreamed up by Bootle resident, Brenda Hill, and is managed by the children at the school to ensure no person is denied access to storytelling.

Mr Thomas, has praised the enterprising nature of the village and its efforts to keep stories alive amid fierce government cuts.

He said: “It’s a completely original idea and west Cumbria has always bucked the trend, so when the rest of country are facing cuts and library facilities are closing, people in Bootle are embracing the need for books for all generations.”

The Book Box will be open to all residents in the village but will be managed by children at the school.

Headteacher, Pete Mills, says it’s a fantastic opportunity for his pupils and was delighted to welcome Mr Thomas to open the Box.

He said: “Some people might think the Book Box is just an old phone box full of books but the kids have worked hard for three months putting it together.

“It was important to show how important it is to us so we thought inviting a professional storyteller with an MBE was the grandest thing we could do.”

He continued: “The art of storytelling is a really important thing and we want to make reading exciting.

“It’s the key to all other learning and the more interesting and interactive we can make it the better.”


BOOK BOX BOOTLE Storyteller Taffy Thomas opens new Book Box, an old phone box that is now a new library at Bootle managed by Captain Shaw's Primary School. Pictured: Storyteller Taffy Thomas, at the Book box opening, Bootle,Thursday 19th May 2016 LEANNE BOLGER As the UK’s first ever storytelling laureate, Mr Thomas is renowned throughout the area and is determined to pass on his sheer love of the art to the next generation.

Echoing Mr Mill’s thoughts he said: “You can’t write a story unless you’ve told a story, but you can’t tell a story unless you’ve heard a story.

“I think it’s about having fun with words and using that to help people with reading and writing.

“Stories are important because they preserve the past, reveal the present and create the future.”

During the session Mr Thomas regaled children and parents alike with a whole host of enchanting stories from his book collection.

Mr Thomas brought along his £5,000 uniquely-designed 'Tale Coat' so children could pick out certain images that would correspond to individual stories.

Instilling a sense of passion and excitement throughout the event, Mr Thomas engaged every single child as they repeated his memorable mantra: “Books are cool, books are fun, books are great for everyone.”

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