“Who has people within their community who can safely take children swimming in mountain tarns and walking up mountains with a fell pony? We do!”
Grasmere School
When award-winning author To
m Palmer decided to write a WW2 novel based in the Cumbrian countryside, he wanted to do things a little differently. With the help of the students and teachers at Grasmere School, he researched, wrote and edited the book using their local knowledge as a vital touchstone in his writing process. So when it came to organising an event to celebrate the publication of Angel of Grasmere, it made sense to involve the school and the local community that played such a large part in the planning, development and execution of this wonderful novel. And boy did they show up!
In this blog post, we’ll hear first-hand from both the book’s author, Tom Palmer, and the school in Grasmere about this unique and exciting book launch. Bright and early on the morning of 7th May, a procession of teachers, pupils and members of the local community set out on the long walk from Grasmere to Easedale Tarn dressed in costumes from the 1940s. When they reached their breathtaking destination, the site of a former refreshment hut, where the mountains open out onto the water, Tom read from the book in the very setting of the novel.
They were even joined by a reporter from ITV who covered the event, which you can watch here.
We’d like to thank Tom and the Grasmere community for making the launch of Angel of Grasmere so memorable. Read on to find out how they did it …
Tom Palmer (author of Angel of Grasmere):
When I started work on Angel of Grasmere, I knew I would need help.
Even though I love Cumbria, I did not grow up there and have never lived there. I know a bit about the area from my research and previous books I’ve written, and have a passion for the Lake District, but I knew I would need to call on the expertise of the community I was writing about to make the setting feel authentic.
I also knew where I could go to get that help. Grasmere School gave me feedback while writing my previous books set in Cumbria, so I asked if they would be willing to assist me with my research for Angel of Grasmere and, luckily, they agreed. But rather than just checking it for me once I’d written it, they wanted to get involved at every stage of the writing process: to help me plan, research, write, edit and, finally, to promote it.
So that’s what we did. I met with the pupils and teachers at Grasmere School, and together we worked through our ideas for the book. They had lots! After our initial brainstorming, we visited all the possible settings for the story and they described how they viewed the places and what they meant to them. Once I’d written the first draft, they read it and gave tough – but fair – feedback. And finally, on launch day, we celebrated both the book and their wonderful part of the world, up on the fells that inspired us all.
Grasmere School:
It takes a
community to launch a book...
Tom Palmer's Angel of Grasmere (published by Barrington Stoke) was launched by us all today at Easedale Tarn. It has been such a privilege to help Tom while he has been writing it. And it was great fun helping him to celebrate its publication!
So many people came along to make it a wonderful day to remember. On behalf of the children – thank you! Particular thanks to all our amazing parents, staff and governors, who came along in costume and provided enthusiasm, back-up and expertise. Who has people within their community who can safely take children swimming in mountain tarns and walking up mountains with a fell pony? We do!
Thank you so much, Pete and Andrea of Swim the Lakes; Phil Bamforth for the first-aid cover; David Kelly with his fell pony, Harry; and Clare Dyson, horseback adventurer. It was so good of you all to give up your time to ensure that the children and Tom had a wonderfully memorable day.
We were so impressed with all the children. It's a rocky path, and quite a long way for some of the Year One legs! But there was nothing but resilience and positivity to be heard amongst them all.
Lots more photos to share of all the activities which brought alive Angel of Grasmere at Easedale today. These photos are from a man who ran back and forwards (8.5km!) to get them from all sorts of angles. Thank you, James.
Jo Goode, Head Teacher, Grasmere School & Nursery
Experience the magic of Easedale Tarn for yourself through Angel of Grasmere – available now.
