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10 Mar 08Record-Breaking Readers at Hamworthy Library
Young people from Poole joined children nationwide in a bid to set a new world record for reading aloud.
A group of home educated children took part in the Big Time Rhyme 
workshop at Hamworthy Library on Friday March 7. The event, staged by Poole's Children's Library Service, saw the children read the poem 'To the Top' from Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean.
The verse was simultaneously read by children in schools, nurseries and youth groups across the country in the world record attempt organised by Great Ormond Street Hospital as part of Peter Pan Week.
To secure an entry into the Guinness Book of Records, organisers needed 250,000 children to take part nationwide.
Peter Pan Week is a fun, creative and educational way for young people to learn about literature.
Laura Sneddon, Literacy Officer for Poole Libraries, Borough of Poole, said: "We are really excited to have been part of an attempt to break a world record and it is great to be working with the Borough's home educated children who might not always get a chance to take part in activities organised by schools. We are delighted Pamela Goddard, the Associate Minister for Hamworthy parish, agreed to adjudicate."
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: "It is great to see Poole Libraries working with the elected home educated children and I am sure they all enjoyed taking part in this worthwhile literacy activity at Hamworthy Library. I hope they continue using our excellent libraries."
After the record attempt the invited children, aged between five and 14-years-old, had the chance to learn some pirate lingo by completing pirate log books, whilst Lois Penney, 7, won a signed copy of Geraldine McCaughrean's Peter Pan in Scarlet from a prize draw from a pirate's chest.
Peter Pan in Scarlet, by Geraldine McCaughrean, is available to be borrowed at Poole libraries.
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