Page 30 - link magazine

30 The Link Magazine • May 2001 www.swinc
Dave Rogers Swindon literacy project takes

on world class education role

Interior and 7,teri*, -, Storysacks, the brainchild of former Westlea School headteacher Neil Griffiths to develop literacy in the
decorating carried out to early years of childhood, is rapidly becoming a major cultural and community development tool across
a high standard including: the globe.
• Painting •Wallpapering First developed in the early 1990s by volunteers. Together with a pic- "The idea is so simple that it can
• Coving • Tiling with the help of a band of hard ture book to be read by a child and be easily adapted and it goes be-
• General Maintenance working volunteers at Westlea parent are soft toys of the main yond language development with
• Gardening School, Storysacks are now used in characters with props and scenery children.
every local education authority in to bring the story to life. "It's incredible to think that
Britain and also in Canada, USA, A non-fiction book linked to the Storysacks are in use on opposite
For a prompt friendly Hong Kong, South Africa, Japan, topic, an audio-tape and a lan- sides of the Arctic circle. In north-
professional service Peru, Australia, Italy and Norway. guage game based on the book are ern Canada sacks are used by
Telephone: 875354 A Storysack is a cloth bag con- included. Also provided is an ideas Innuit people to develop language
tainingitemstodeveloppre-school card suggesting further ways for and reinforce cultural identity,
Mobile: 07970 483393
language skills, designed and made parents to develop a child's listen- whilst in northern Norway they
ing, reading and writing skills us- are used for similar purposes with
ing the sack contents. Laplanders."

STILL SITTING IN THAT

TRAFFIC QUEUE?

Isn't it about time you thought
seriously about a scooter?

Peugeot Speedfight Special limited offer on
Number 1 in UK for Peugeot Vivcity Neil Griffiths at the new Storysacks HQ in Eldene, administrator
yet another year. 50c.c. Jenny Rainbow and project worker Judith Blake from West Swindon
Don't settle Another The project won the European Over the last three years since
for second winner 'a Alcuin award for innovation in Neil left Westlea School, over
best. Buy from this education in November 1999 40,000 people have taken part in
the number Peugeot which boosted interest from Storysack workshops all over Brit-
one scooter range around the world. Neil is amazed ain and abroad. To reduce his trav-
from us £1,324 by how Storysacks continues to elling, the National Storysacks
Price from £1,674 O.T.R. O.T.R. grow. "I thought we might reach a Project, which is funded by the
plateau, but the enquiries keep Basic Skills Agency, opened a visi-
iY/N Shark coming; it's both surprising and tor centre at Eldene primary school
gratifying to hear how Storysacks in early April where people can
with its unique
are used in places I never imag- see Storysacks demonstrated and
125 cc 4 valve, ined - prisons, hospitals, with trav- discuss how to set up a project.
4 stroke engine eller families, with refugees and in Storysacks can also be found on
with ultra quiet bi-lingual situations. the web at www.storysacks.co.uk
catalytic exhaust
£2,124 O.T.R.
See the biggest selection of
More commuters are buying scooters as an scooters in Swindon at ^ctcccact E
alternative means of transport
Did you know....
• You can ride one on a car licence?
• They can do over 120+ m.p.g.?
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• You can buy a brand new scooter from
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Cycling Centre
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