200 pupils from Worcestershire schools have been getting creative as part of Severn Arts’ county-wide story relay. Author and poet Jessica Terry wrote the opening chapter inspired by the adventure pack created by artists imitating the dog for the Arches Festivals' Light Night Worcester, and the children completed the story. 

Pupils from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Heathfield Knoll School and Nursery, Norton Juxta Kempsey C. E. Primary School and Grove Primary School helped to write the rest of the story. Each week a new class wrote a chapter that carried on the story resulting in an exciting new tale!   

Elaine Knight, Arts Director, Severn Arts said: “The festivals and arts programme offers many opportunities for people to get involved, like this story relay. We had such a great response from schools and pupils that we are looking to run another story relay in the future to allow more budding authors the opportunity to use their writing skills!” 

Marie Zarro, Year 6 Teacher, St Joseph’s Primary School said: " It was the first time we have taken part in anything like this and the children were blown away when they saw our chapters on the website. They have thoroughly enjoyed reading the following chapters too and definitely gained confidence in their writing. “ 

Teachers and pupils also visited Light Night Worcester to watch imitating the dog’s large-scale projection “Lilliput” and see how the ideas of children could be transformed into a larger-than-life artwork. 

Abbie-Lou Cox who is the 16-18 age category winner in Worcestershire’s Young Poet Laureate competition 2021, narrated the story in an audio version. Read or listen to the story and download the adventure pack at: https://thearchesworcesterfestivals.co.uk/collage-kit  

Schools that are interested in getting involved in opportunities like this story relay can register their interest with Joanna Freeman, Projects Manager at Severn Arts [email protected].