Pictured above: Chantry Library Manager Marium Miah with the mural created in memory of Sally.
Chantry Library in Ipswich is launching a competition in memory of Sally Billison, a much-loved member of staff at the library who sadly passed away last year.
‘Sally’s Stories’ is a children's story writing competition being launched to encourage local children to use their imagination and creativity to come up with their own story.
The competition will have three separate age categories - 5-7, 8-11 and 12-15. It’s being launched this week with the closing date 4 November. The story should be based on the opening line below, with children then being asked to write a story using this inspiration:
“As the craft docked, the crew stared out through the windows. Whatever they had been expecting, it wasn’t this. The cabin door swung open...”
Stories can be submitted by emailing sallys.stories@suffolklibraries.co.uk or printed copies can be handed in at the library. Entries don’t have to be purely text – for example, they could include pictures or be in a comic or graphic novel format – but should be no longer than one side of A4. Please make the age category clear when submitting a story and include the child's full name, age and your contact details.
There will be prizes for the winner in each category with more details available soon.
Helen Best, Chair of Chantry Library Friends group, said:
“Sally was loved by the whole Chantry Library community, especially by children. It is wonderful that her legacy will live onin Sally's Stories. She supported, listened and encouraged them to love books.”
Fran Hartley of the Friends group added:
“Sally would be thrilled to know that her legacy will give children the opportunity to let their imaginations fly.”
The competition comes after local children also created a colourful mural at the library inspired by Sally’s love of flowers. This was painted in the outdoor area of the building as part of one of Suffolk Libraries’ Blank Page workshops led by local artist Lily Hammond.
