I was privileged earlier this week to be asked to present medals and awards to around 30 boys and girls taking part in a summer literacy scheme. In all honesty, I had no real idea what it was actually about until I got to Greenhead Grammar School where the events was being staged. There's a picture story on page 7 explaining how it works and what it was set up to achieve.

As well as spending time studying, the youngsters also had bundles of fun combined with aspects of literacy.

Imagine the scene at the school. Ten of the youngsters had been chosen to read out their works. A group of mums and dads on one side, other youngsters on another, teachers delighted but slightly nervous and a huge table laden with party goodies and soft drinks to celebrate afterwards.

The first stood to read out a critique of the film Godzilla viewed at Keighley Picture House. Then onto a review of Les Miserables which they saw at the Alhambra. They were excellent. The third stood to read a piece of their original work penned after reading Wilfrid Owen's war poems. Wow! And so it went on, with more Godzilla and the nightmare of a battlefield gas attack. It was a

moving experience.

The young people had volunteered for this scheme and the teachers and helpers had given up their time. Peter Black's had given gifts for each participant and Morrisons had donated the food. Hollywood Bowl and Willis Walker had also helped.

The day gave me even more encouragement to carry on with our youth pages written by young people. I enjoyed myself very much.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.