Pupils prove they’ve got the Poetry Factor (From Gazette & Herald)

Pupils prove they’ve got the Poetry Factor

3:00am Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

PUPILS at Malton Community Primary School showed they had the ‘P-Factor’ as they competed in a competition designed to encourage reading, writing and story-telling.

Former teacher and author Andy Seed created the contest, one of the many events leading up to Ryedale Book Festival next month.

Youngsters from 10 primary schools are taking part in the competition to choose and perform a poem, with audition rounds in the classroom and the finals at the Milton Rooms on October 20.

Schools have also been collectively writing and illustrating a story book that will be displayed for the first time in its completed form at the festival with children’s author and illustrator Quentin Blake producing an original drawing for the front cover.

Festival co-ordinator Sarah Tyson said: “We really like the idea the young authors and illustrators can have a copy on their own bookshelves.

Other events include the Open-Mic Tour of Northern Ryedale which starts tonight (Wednesday) at The King’s Head in Kirkbymoorside at 7pm. Admission is £2 on the door. It moves to Pickering Library at 1.30pm on Saturday and is at the Helmsley Arts Centre on Thursday, October 5 at 7.30pm.

People are invited to bring their own work to share or that of a favoured author; or just come along and listen.

Sarah said: “There isn’t any public feedback or criticism, just a nice opportunity for a writer to see how an audience responds to his work or for a listener to be inspired by the creativity of others.”

A further event will be held at the Blacksmith’s Arms in Swinton on Wednesday, October 17, when Doreen Wardle and Friends will host a Yorkshire dialect evening. Tickets are £2 on the door. Ryedale Book Festival takes place on Saturday, October 20. For more information visit www.ryedalebookfestival.com