I accidentally wrote a modern Fairy Tale for a festival and then ended up on the radio twice in one day!

On 26th May 2020 Southwark Libraries Festival of Words opens and features a very special story I wrote that seems to be resonating with people across the South East.

When the lockdown was announced Southwark Libraries approached me about contributing a story to their festival of words. I was more than happy to do this and decided to record my version of “Rapunzel”. Having recorded it I saw a parallel between Rapunzel’s situation and thousands of children living in flats during the national lockdown. I wrote “The Girl in the Playground” in a single sitting. As well as submitting it to the festival I decided to share it with Dominic King at BBC Radio Kent (I performed an extract from Rapunzel on his show last year). The next thing I know he has included it in his show. Encouraged by this I decided to contact my local radio station and before I knew it I was live on BBC Radio Sussex’s breakfast show being interviewed!

A lot has been said about the impact of the national lockdown on the economy and the adult world but beyond education not a lot is said about children. I have been blogging about how my daughter and I have enjoyed our time together but sadly this won’t have been the case for some families.

The lockdown will pass. We will get through this. There is always hope.

Southwark Libraries Festival of Words runs from 26th May – 12th June 2020

John Kirk is a professional storyteller working in schools and libraries, at events and festivals. For more information about my work please use my contact form to get in touch.