CHILDREN at Orton CofE School have celebrated the opening of their new library.

Recent weeks have seen the creation of the library at the heart of the school which is easily accessible from the different classrooms. It has a reading hide, forest-themed decorations and colourful bean bag seating as well as shelves stocked with lots of books, old and new.

This inviting space was opened by Dave Cryer, a visiting poet from The Wordsworth Trust on Friday, March 11.

Dave - also known as ‘Sir’ Dave - was in school to lead a Poetry Day that started with introductions during a whole school assembly and then included poetry reading and writing sessions with each class and every age group through the school.

He said: “One of my favourite poems that I have written is called Reading Matters and this is something very close to my heart.

“I was honoured to be part of the opening of the new Library space – it looks exciting and colourful.

"I hope that lots of Orton children will develop their love of reading because of this great Library and its books.”

Mrs Emma Pomfret is the head teacher at Orton. 

She said: “The timing worked out really well to have Dave in school at just the time when the new Library was ready to open. We’d all like to thank him and everyone at The Wordsworth Trust for their support.

"Special thanks also go to M&S in Penrith and all the parents and Friends of Orton School who have supported our Pop-Up Shop for the past two years or more. Even during the pandemic, volunteers still managed to find ways to host the Shop and raise money to support our school.

"The Library conversion may have come from school funds but the new books and bean bags make it extra special and our school community made those possible with a donation of £1000. Thank you to everyone involved.”