Big Book Bash for Derbyshire children in care

LITERARY LINE-UP: Councillor Anne Western, Leader of DCC (front right) with authors, officials, visitors and volunteers: (left to right) Ross Baugh, participation and rights worker for DCC, volunteer Shannon Baugh (12), author Alan Gibbons, volunteer Katy Welch (10), author Andy Seed, Steve Lowe, author Emma Pass, author Robert Crowther, Ian Thomas, DCC's strategic director of children's services, event organiser Annie Everall, Billy Scothern, and Chris Cartledge.

Derbyshire County Council’s annual literature event for children in care, and the families who look after them, marked its 11th year in style with a top line-up of children’s authors and illustrators, fun activities and workshops.

Since it launched in 2004 the event has helped thousands of children in care in the county meet top children’s authors.

And the authority’s successful partnership with publishers has seen over £150,000 of books and goodies donated.

More than 500 children and adults attended the bash at County Hall, Matlock, yesterday (Sunday 13 July).

Authors, illustrators and performers attending included Cathy Cassidy, John Byrne, Robert Crowther, Alan Gibbons and Andy Seed, as well as award-winning Derbyshire authors Emma Pass and Caryl Hart.

Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council’s Council, said: “Seeing children in care enjoying quality time with their foster families and meeting top authors was fantastic.

“We’re working hard to support Derbyshire children and families – despite the £157m of budget cuts the Government has asked us to make.

“Children that come into our care have often had difficult or traumatic lives so we do everything in our power to give them good homes and improve their education and futures.

“It would be brilliant if one of the children attending yesterday went on to become the next J.K.Rowling.”

Children who attended received free books and activity packs to take home.