Tune in to rapper MC Grammar
DECCA Records have released the first official World Book Day song from the nation’s favourite rapping English teacher MC Grammar – all proceeds will be donated to the charity to support its vision to engage children from all backgrounds with a lifelong habit of reading. MC Grammar is the creation of awardwinning teacher and rapper Jacob Mitchell, who went viral in 2019 after a video of him rapping popular children’s book The
Gruffalo received more than five million views.
Having struggled in school himself, the father of two credits his discovery of books as his turning point with education. He believes no child should be left behind, and that there needs to excitement, challenge, inclusion and, most importantly, fun in the classroom. https://mcgrammar.lnk.to/ TheWorldBookDaySongFI
RESPONDING to the details of the Government road map announced last week, Corn Exchange director Katy Griffiths says it has given us all hope, but “for the arts industry we now know that we will not be able to recommence live performances until at least May 17”.
This means the events scheduled for April and the first half of May will not take place and the box office team will contact those who have booked tickets. “While not a guaranteed reopening date, it does give us some guidance on the timeframe we are working to when we are planning upcoming events across our venues. Our hope is that the summer will see a range of live performances, both in our sociallydistanced auditorium and outdoors, as well films in our cinema. We are working with producers at the moment and will share the programme with you in due course.”
Activities for young people have a slightly earlier date on the road map and the Corn Exchange may be able to offer these from mid-April, all delivered within social distancing guidelines.
Over at The Base, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 56 exhibition will be held as soon as this is permitted. “Welcoming so many of you back last autumn to watch live performances or film screenings, visit exhibitions, take part in workshops or for the pantomime or Winter Lantern Trail, enabled us to do what we do best – sharing creative experiences with our community. The feedback we received from our visitors was so uplifting for the team and helped keep our spirits high. Hopefully we can do the same for you, just as soon as we are able to welcome you back.”
MARKBOROUGH LitFest and English Literature at Bath Spa University are launching the second ‘Love Books’ competition to celebrate a love of reading among all ages.
Last year there was a wave of enthusiasm, with almost 100 entries across three age groups. As in 2020, winners in each age category will each win £300; runners-up each win £100.
The competition, which runs until June 30, invites participants to explain their choice of a favourite book, poem or play by either a written (up to 750 words) or video (no more than four minutes) response. The emphasis needs to be on what entrants love about their chosen read and why they think others should try it. For more information on the competition, go to www.lovebookscompetition.org
The competition will be managed by Bath Spa students studying English literature as part of their degree course. Open to three age groups: 13-16, 17-19 and 20+, judges will be looking for creative, passionate and engaging responses. Judges will be Ian Gadd, professor in English literature at Bath Spa University, writer and CEO of William Golding Ltd Judy Carver (daughter of William Golding) and MLF’s ex-chair Jan Williamson.
Senior lecturer in English literature at Bath Spa University Nicola Presley said: “For the 2020 competition, we were delighted to receive such creative and passionate responses on such a diverse range of texts.”
MLF chair Genevieve Clarke said:
“Our partnership with English Literature at Bath Spa University for the Love Books Competition feels like a really creative way of celebrating reading.
“We were delighted with the response to its first year and hope that even more adults and young people from around the country will share with us their enthusiasm for books in 2021.” Planning is under way for this year’s Marlborough LitFest, from September 30 to October 3, with a varied programme of literary events for all ages including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and the annual Big Town Read. The festival aims to champion new, upcoming writers as well as established names and also encourage a love of reading in children and young people with author talks, competitions and an ongoing community outreach programme.
All Marlborough LitFest 2021 events will abide by the Covid-19 guidelines at the time of the festival.
For more information, visit www.marlboroughlitfest.org
Follow the festival on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarlboroughLitFest and on Twitter: @MarlbLitFest