Over 200 young students from schools in Cambuslang recently had the opportunity to attend a Glasgow book festival tailored specifically for children. The pupils from Cairns Primary, St Cadoc’s Primary in Halfway, and West Coats Primary participated in Wee Write, Glasgow’s annual children’s book festival organised by Glasgow Life. Thanks to a £2,500 donation from UKSE, a subsidiary of Tata Steel Enterprise, the students could attend key events, with the funding covering transportation expenses and providing each child with a book to take home.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Wee Write Festival took place from November 4 to 8 at prominent locations across the city, including the Royal Concert Hall and Mitchell Library. The festival included sessions with authors like Masie Chan and Abi Elphinstone, interactive drawing workshops with illustrators such as Sophy Henn, Steve Lenton, and Tom Morgan Jones, and a special Beano-themed celebration led by Mike Stirling and Craig Graham. The students were encouraged to dress up as their favourite comic characters and enjoy live drawing competitions, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the Birthday Bash centred around the beloved children’s comic.
Closely linked to the Aye Write festival, Wee Write remains an important event in Glasgow’s cultural calendar, focused on nurturing a love for reading among children ranging from primary to secondary school. This marks the sixth year that UKSE has contributed funding to the Wee Write festival. Fiona Haddow, lead programmer for the Wee Write Festival, expressed gratitude for the support from UKSE, highlighting the festival’s aim to spark a passion for reading through interactive and engaging events. Marc Davey, regional executive at UKSE, emphasised the significance of literacy in empowering communities and investing in the future.
In conclusion, the Wee Write Festival provided an enriching and enjoyable experience for the students from Cambuslang, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with literature in a fun and interactive way. The generous support from UKSE ensured that these young individuals could partake in a celebration of books and storytelling, igniting their enthusiasm for reading and creativity. Such initiatives play a vital role in fostering a culture of literacy and imagination among children, paving the way for a brighter and more enriched future.