Panto dame Paul cuts the ribbon to new library
HOW do you celebrate the opening of a new school library? Well, as the famous song goes, there’s nothing like a dame.
Children from Battle Primary Academy in Cranbury Road welcomed a very special visitor as they celebrated their new Forest of Books. Nanny Trott, aka actor Paul Morse, cut the ribbon to the new attic-style reading room.
Visiting on Friday, March 3, the Hexagon pantomime favourite toured the school, greeting pupils, signing books and causing much merriment. He then attended an assembly where he was asked to choose his favourite door design: each class had decorated the entrance to their classrooms on the theme of a different book. The winner was Snow White. And Mr Morse also put his hand into some boxes to try and guess their mystery content. Afterwards, he joined some pupils from the school council to formally open the new library. It is decorated to look like a enchanted forest and includes a grass-style mat for children to sit on, along with a reading chair for teachers. School principal Louise Burridge made a short speech, thanking those who had made the project possible. including deputy headteacher Heidi Ray. “This has been a long time in coming,” she said. “It’s a resource for classes to use.
“Learn to read, and you can do anything.”
Afterwards, pupils were invited to raise a toast to the new library by enjoying a glass of fizzy pop and a slice of cake.
As it was World Book Day, staff and children came in literary-themed fancy dress.
Paul’s visit came on the same day it was announced that he will once again team up with CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher for this year’s Hexagon pantomime, which will be Sleeping Beauty.