Photography from Cindy-Lou Ramsay
Sophia Guidi |
In recognition of their achievement in the private reading programme, 30 S2-3 pupils were nominated to attend ReimagiNation: East Kilbride, a new book festival revealing the hidden stories of Scotland’s new towns. This was an extremely enjoyable, educational trip as well as an amazing experience. It allowed the students to listen and meet authors, encouraging them to develop their reading and writing skills. This year we saw the following presentations:
- Session 1 – Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan
Sarah is the author of “The Weight of Water” and “Apple and Rain” which were both shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. In 2016, Sarah won the CILIP Carnegie Medal as well as the YA Book Prize, the CBI Book of the Year award and the CLiPPA Poetry award for her novel, “One”. Brian is a Scottish author( originally came from Coatbridge) whose novels include “The Boy Who Made it Rain”, “When Mr Dog Bites”, which was shortlisted for the 2015 Carnegie Medal, and “The Bombs That Brought Us Together”, published in 2016 to critical acclaim. Both writers talked about the novel they both wrote called “We Come Apart”, a story written in verse prose, is a contemporary story of star-cross’d lovers called Nicu and Jess. Every pupil was given a copy of the novel, free of charge, and had the chance to meet and have the novel signed by Brian and Sarah.
In the afternoon, pupils attended either Daniel Gray or Plan Interactive
Daniel Gray is a self-employed writer and social historian who shared stories of life living in a new town. All students were given a copy of his favourite book “The Outsider” by Albert Camus to inspire them to read and write.
Theatre maker Ishbel Mcfarlane also performed Plan: part game, part performance, in which our audience was challenged to build an imaginary new town for 40,000 people in a fun, thought- provoking show. Again, all pupils were given a copy of the playwrights’ favourite book, “Notes from a Small Island” by Bill Bryson.
Overall it was an excellent experience.
Cindy-Lou Ramsay’s gallery of pictures from ReimagiNation East Kilbride can be found on flickr.
