Local Schools Celebrate Book Launch

Students at local primary schools in South Gloucestershire had their very own book launch in Waterstones Cribbs Causeway this week.

The book, “Gathering of the Winds ” was created by artists Matthew Jeanes and Martin Maudsley along with pupils from St Chad s Patchway, Charborough Road, Callicroft, Holy Family, Coniston, Wheatfield, Meadowbrook and St Michaels Stoke Gifford as part of the Fusion Festival organised by Patchway Community College and funded by Arts Council England. The stories were inspired by the Olympic Windsurfing and Sailing events in Portland and Weymouth, with the children inventing “Windy ” characters, personifications of the wind, with wonderfully vivid results.

Richard Headon, the Artistic Director for the South West Weymouth Olympic events, spoke at the launch and said that: “The Gathering of the Winds book was exactly the sort of project we hoped would be created as part of the SW region wide Cultural Olympiad ‘Battle for the Winds’ celebration of the Olympic sailing at Weymouth and Portland in 2012. Both the artists and the school children involved really embraced the theme of the gathering the winds. Martin and Matt really inspired the children to create some wonderful windy tales illustrated by some fantastic and energetic images. It was great to be able to connect local young people with such a prestigious and international event. ”

Impressed by the quality of the book itself, Waterstones in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway held the launch where Martin Maudsley will be told some of the stories written to local children. The event was also attended by Headteachers and Govenors of the school involved who agreed that they were incredibly proud of the work that has been produced and of being involved another legacy created from the 2012 Olympics.

photo shows: Book Designer Tom Knights, Illustrator Matt Jeanes, Geoff Howell Chair of Governors at Patchway Community College, writer Martin Maudsley, Sherie Humphries Creative Agent at Patchway Community College and Richard Headon representing Artistic Director of SW Olympic events for Weymouth.