Swindon Author helps schools bring Town Gardens tale to life

By Barrie Hudson - 30 May 2025

Arts and CultureAttractionsFamilyCommunity

Over 100 local children have contributed to a new story trail with the help of award-winning children's author Kate Claxton.

As part of the Old Town Arts Festival, children from Lethbridge, Lawns and The Croft Primary Schools, as well as families visiting Badbury Park Library, wrote and illustrated a collaborative story set in Town Gardens with themes of nature, art and community, to run from 1-8 June. 
Kate Claxton said: "Town Gardens is my favourite place in Swindon, it's such a beautiful gem for our town to be proud of and encouraging local children to set a story there has been a joy!

"My sessions gave the kids ideas and encouragement, but most of this gorgeous creation is down to them. They even voted on their own title. I'm incredibly proud of The Enchanted Garden and hope that all those who contributed to it will be too."

The North Swindon-based author of award-winning titles My Mum's a Tiger and Searching for a Roarer added: "Children's literacy enjoyment is at a depressingly low level, so anything we can be doing to encourage kids to create and share their own stories should be championed. 
"I'm so pleased that Old Town Arts Festival have given them this exciting platform."

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