Bookworming!!!!!

Dear Kat has done a fantastic job building the Bodmin Bookworm blog over the past few weeks. I had an idea in May that became a concept that I discussed with Kat, that became a proposal I put to my boss and then the heads in Bodmin and now that idea has become a reality. The Bookworm is launched officially with the schools on 22nd September, but the blog has gone live for constructive comment and ideas. Do go over and have a visit at www.bodminbookworm.blogspot.com and please do tell Kat how fab she is!!!!!

I have lots of ideas and some of them actually get to happen, but only because my boss was willing to let me fund it through my job and because I have a gifted friend who can build a blog into a thing of beauty!! I am very excited and for both of us hopefully our writing CV just got a little more substantial.

Once the site is being posted on after the 22nd please go in and comment on the kids work as it is such a boost to them to know someone outside of mum and dad and gran are reading what they have written.

Bodmin has some of the most socially deprived areas in the county and this is a real chance for every child to shine by posting even one line of creativity. The strapline came to me in a brainstorming session with Kat and I think it sums up the heart of the project.

Hope you enjoy your visit to Bodmin's new big creative idea!!

Next Wave at Looe

Had a fantastic day today. We did an assembly at the school where our church meets, using our puppets and doing a Christian parody of, 'Dancing Queen.' Tonight I went down to Looe to meet with nineteen children and four teachers (including the head) as we had arranged for them, throught the church, to have an overnight stay on board The Next Wave ship in Looe bay. The Next Wave is a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) ship that is based in Liverpool but sails all over the world. They agreed to take some children from the school helping to cement links between the school and the church, but also as a trip of a lifetime for some of these kids, who although they live twenty miles from some of the best beaches in the UK have rarely, if ever, been to the sea. The church paid for them all to have fish and chips and they all came dressed as pirates (even the staff). The ship's crew were all dressed as pirates too and they had bought a Jolly Roger to fly from the mast (hope the Navy do not get too interested!!!). It was fantastic to be involved and enjoy a meal with the kids before playing with them on the beach and then waving them off into the bay on the boat.
Some days go past unremarkably but today is a day that will remain special to me for a long time. The look on the faces of the children and the opportunity we have been able to afford them is a rare privilege. The photo is of The Next Wave as it took our happy band of pirates out to sea tonight. I confess to feeling very emotional waving off these kids on the ship as they were calling, "Bye Michelle", particularly as some of them only know me as the lady who comes in with the puppets!!! A good day!