Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

Gervase Phinn

On Tuesday, 16th October, The Armthorpe School played host to students from several other schools participating in the Doncaster Book Award for an author visit by celebrated local author, Gervase Phinn.

Gervase has had over 50 titles published, an incredibly diverse range of work that includes picture books, poetry and junior fiction, as well as his celebrated adult books full of entertaining anecdotes about his time as a teacher and dreaded School Inspector.

He began his talk by explaining how many of the ideas for his writing come from real life, people he has met and situations he has found himself in. He talked of his writer's notebook, where he jots down ideas, words, anything that might inspire him later. He read some of his poems, giving the rapt audience the stories behind them, some very funny, and some poignant and moving. He even brought along some truly hideous, and convincingly creepy, spider puppets, to illustrate a story from his own life, and a poem he later wrote about it. (Most of the students loved these, even if this particular adult was pleased not to be too close!) All in all, it was really inspirational for the young people present, as well as being a thoroughly entertaining morning. This last was clear when, during the question and answer session, one of the students asked "Have you ever thought of becoming a comedian?!" Here are just some of the comments written by the Don Valley students on their return to school:

Katie, Y9: "I really enjoyed meeting Gervase Phinn because he is an amazing writer and also a good speaker"

Hannah and Samantha, Y9: "We couldn't stop laughing because he was so funny"

Sean, Y10: "Overall there could be no improvement and there was nothing to slate. He was superb"

Aiden, Y7: "I wish the day was longer because I thoroughly enjoyed it"

Luke, Y10: "All in al the day was absolutely brilliant and I hope there are more days like this"

I think that says it all!

As well as his work writing, speaking and broadcasting, Gervase is also President of the national School Library Association. His contribution and support of the Doncaster Book Award is much appreciated by the librarians on the DBA Committee, and on their behalf, and that of the students, I'd like to say "Thank You" for a fantastic morning.

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