Children gather to launch unique book in aid of NSPCC

On Saturday 7 October over a hundred children from all over Cornwall gathered at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion, along with some 200 adult guests, to celebrate the launch of We Wish: Hopes and Dreams of Cornwall’s Children. The launch, jointly organised by University College Falmouth and the NSPCC, formed part of this year’s highly successful Falmouth Festival of Literature & Arts.

We Wish is an anthology of writing by primary-school children from Cornwall, superbly illustrated by students on University College Falmouth’s prestigious BA(Hons) Illustration course. As well as a wealth of poems and stories by kids aged 7-11, the book also features a moving and very personal foreword by Bafta award-winning actress, Thandie Newton, star of Mission: Impossible 2 and Crash (Best Picture Oscar 2005). All proceeds from sales of We Wish will go the NSPCC.

The three prizewinners with (from left to right): Eileen Smales of the Paul Smales Trust, Michael Hutchinson from Kelsall Steele, Tom Scott from University College Falmouth and Alison Armer from the NSPCC. At the launch, several children read poems from the book to rapturous applause, and three received prizes from Mrs Eileen Smales of the Paul Smales Trust (which sponsored the competition through which material for the book was collected). These were: Tamara Stidwell (Best Poem), Lauren Newton (Best Short Story), and Olivia Dunlop (Best Non-fiction Piece). The competition was judged by two well-known children’s authors who teach on University College Falmouth’s MA Professional Writing course – Louise Cooper (author of the Sea Horses series as well as numerous other books for children and adults) and Karen King (who has published over a hundred books for children of all ages).

Truro-based financial advisers, Kelsall Steele, raised £7,500 towards the cost of producing the book by organising a sponsored walk earlier in the year.

Introducing the book, Professional Writing lecturer Tom Scott, who co-ordinated the project, said:

“We hear a lot about how today’s children are no longer learning to write to a high standard, distracted as they are by TV, computer games and so on. But anyone worried about the future of writing should look at the work in We Wish. They’ll find a freshness and emotional impact that many well-established authors would envy. We Wish gives all sorts of surprising, funny and often moving insights into what children are thinking about their own lives and about the world they live in. It’s a beautiful book that makes a perfect Christmas present for all ages, and all the money raised from selling it will go to support the invaluable work that the NSPCC does to help vulnerable children and their families.”

NSPCC Community Appeals Manager Alison Armer said:

"We Wish is the result of a lot of hard work from many people in different parts of Cornwall's community. All have joined together on this project with the aim of ending cruelty to children. The NSPCC cannot do this alone – we need your support. If you would like to know more about the NSPCC's work in Cornwall and become more involved, please do call me on 01752 846218."

In her foreword to the book, Thandie Newton writes vividly about her childhood memories of growing up in Cornwall and the way in which the county's rich cultural heritage made it easy for her to enrich every situation with layers of magic and meaning:

“Cornwall is the end of the road, and the port to the world: an end and a beginning. We feel rooted by what is ancient around us. There’s a security, which allows for innocence, and a wisdom, which gives strength. I was reminded of this when I read the poems written by these fantastic kids...The children writing on these pages will take their wishes, their dreams for the future, and tread the path to a brighter tomorrow. What better place to start that pilgrimage than from the ancient cradle of Cornwall?”

We Wish is now on sale in all good bookshops, price £9.99, and is also be available to buy online at www.wewish.org.uk.

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through higher education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

Contact

Tom Scott, We Wish project co-ordinator, University College Falmouth
email: tom.scott@falmouth.ac.uk
tel: 01326 212960

Jilly Easterby, Public Relations Officer, University College Falmouth
email: jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk
tel: 01326 213792

Notes to Editors

One of the children reading at the launch was Tom Hills, aged 12, of Falmouth. His poem is included below to give you a flavour of the content of the book:

Perfect school day
by Tom Hills

The teacher stood and beamed at us –
“Come on you kids, grab your coats!
You’re going to learn how to water-ski
Around a castle moat!”
I wish…

The teacher is speaking on the phone,
But no-one knows who to.
Until he turns to me and says:
“Sir Alex Ferguson needs you!”
I wish…

“For science today,” said the teacher happily,
“I’ve made a chocolate mound.
You can eat all you like, children,
Until you’re completely round!”
I wish…

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