Story Time for Book Week

Story Time for Book Week

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, Kingswood College were told a magical story.

To celebrate Scholastic Book Week, pupils at the school were joined by legendary storyteller Taffy Thomas for the day.

Taffy, who has a repertoire of more than 300 stories, was invited to the school to bring 'the art of storytelling' back to life. Awarded an MBE for services to storytelling and charity in 2001, Taffy is now considered the most experienced English storyteller.

Lynne McVeigh, of the Friends of Kingswood, commented that storytelling is 'an art that is dying out with the growth of TV and the media'

Taffy started the day off by giving a whole school assembly, beginning 'I have the best job in the world boys and girls.' He then lead workshops with the Infants, Juniors and ended the day with the Senior pupils.

The workshops encouragedpupils to develop their skills of storytelling through memory, repetition and some spectacular props.

Lynne, who has two children at the school, added that Taffy 'had a real presence about him', the pupils were on ' the edge of their seats'.

The children 'thoroughly enjoyed' the day, and Kingswood College hope to invite Taffy back later in the year. The day certainly proved a ' a happily ever after' for all involved.

Claire Hodgson