Cold chilly November fog wraps itself around the coast and hangs heavy on the wide cold river as I sit in front of my computer and write another installment of my diary … As I type I shiver and wonder if you’re wondering what I’ve been doing for the past six months. So what have I been doing for the past six months? I wonder … Aha - GOOD QUESTION!
Well, writing for one thing. If you happen to surf your way to this website in a few months time and look in the Library you’ll see what I’ve been working on … There’s a new Horrible Science book called Evil Inventions, a Blood, Bones and Body Bits Jigsaw Book and two great new Horrible Science handbooks which are designed not only give you the Horrible details but show you how to be a Horrible Scientist in your own right!
But of course that’s not all! Then there are the events - as regular readers will know I’m always dashing off here there and everywhere to present Horrible Science shows. The entire summer at Kew Gardens in London was full of Horrible Science events and I was there at the start and the end of it all. Here’s me about to be eaten up by a giant pitcher plant at the wonderful Climbers and Creepers Hall at Kew …
Every year Cramlington Community High School in Northumberland puts on a fantastic Horrible Science Fair for the entire community and this year was one of the best ever. Would you like to see a Horrible Science Fair in your school? If so, why not ask your Head Teacher? The idea is that the children make and draw and design horrible exhibits and invite their families to see what they’ve been doing. It’s a load of fun and I might even come along to see what’s going on!
In September Horrible Science artist Tony de Saulles and myself went on tour. We did some fantastic events in Newcastle and Aberdeen - and if you came to see us you’ll know all about them!
But it’s not all been fun and games. Back in January, Devon County Council announced that they planned to close 12 libraries including my local library at Appledore. All over the county people were shocked and upset and in Appledore we set up Friends of Appledore Library to keep our local Library open.
Soon we had over 300 members and we quickly raised money to brighten up the Library and knocked on every door in town to ask people what they thought about losing it. If it wasn’t for libraries I wouldn’t love books and so I wouldn’t be an author - so battling to save Appledore Library and the others is my way of saying “THANKS” to these wonderful places. You can see a picture of Appledore Library at the end of this diary entry - just so you know what I’m talking ahout …
Devon County Council are due to make a decision on November 28 and I’ll tell you what they say soon. Let’s hope they listen to all the people who love libraries and want to keep them open and especially the 400 children who depend on Appledore Library for help with their homework and books to read in their holidays! And there’s another good reason to keep Appledore Library - next year I’m planning a book festival to be based on … you guessed it - the Library! But I’ll tell you more about that another time - happy reading!
