Broadlea Primary School Visit, Shanklin Isle of Wight

On Tuesday the 8th November, I spent a lovely time speaking to pupils of Broadlea Primary School about my book ‘A Red Sky’. My talk was mainly about the truths I had woven into the story together with those stories that were only true in my head.

I met Thomas and Mia who were my Reggie and Lindy for the session and who acted out the piece I wrote about the Battle of Britain when the German fighter planes and the RAF Spitfires fought in the sky over the Isle of Wight. There was an element of truth in this story in that my parents Brian Drawbridge and Betty Vigar, who I named Peggy in the book, used to cycle up to the downs and watch the planes in the sky performing an evil dance.

After the talk, the school bought two books and Robert and I were shown the new library. What a lovely room brightly decorated with primary colours. There were bean bags and large square seats, which when I was a girl were called ‘pouffes’. I would have loved to have stayed in that room and bury myself in books all day. I do hope the pupils at the school go to the library and enjoy reading.

The pupils went home with a copy of one of the illustrations in the book for them to colour in. Maria Ward the artist responsible for the cover and the picture suggested that children might like to do this.

Thank you Broadlea for making me feel so welcome.

Jo Cooper

11th November, 2022