Boo fes"
Report by Shropshire Bookfest's Chair of Trustees.
th
presented at the Annual General Meeting. 26 January 2026
2025 has been an outstanding year for Bookfest, marked by high-quality delivery,
stron9 partnerships and a clear, positive impact on children's reading, writing and
onfidence.
Readers to Writers was delivered for the fourth year in its current form and once
again proved to be a flagship programme. In January, eight authors delivered 41
inspiri ng creative writing workshop5 to 963 pu pils across 17 primary schools, from
Reception to Year 6. Schools were exceptionally well supported through the
provision of author books for every pupil, detailed Teacher Packs and high-quality
CPD resources. The programme was made possible by the dedication of 11
Bookfgst volunteers, whose commitment ensured tha smooth running of an
ambitious and tightly scheduled week.
Following the workshops, pupils spent February and March writing their own
books, supported by encouraging video messages from authors. By April, almost
every pupil had Submitted a completed book, with many demonstrating
remarkable Creativity, effort and pride in their work. For the first time, every book
received individual feedback from the Bookfest team, a development that was
warmly welcomed by both pupils and teachers. All pupils were recognised with
certificates celebrati ng their achievement as authors, a longside class prizes and
eight county-wide winners whose books were published online.
Feedback from schools was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the
project's ability to en9age reluctant writers, build confidence and foster a genuine
love of storytelling.
Book Award 2026 swung into artion in late July. Interest in the project quickly
amassed and all seats at the Theatre Severn Awards Ceremony were booked
within days of goi ng live. The publishers, longlist of nomi nated titles were swiftly
reduced to a very strong shortlist of six titles,. it was great to welcome two new
schools to our regular core of longlisting schools.

Bookfest also delivered a highly successful Teachers, Conference in November
2025, attended by 60 teachers who participated in a programme of well-received
CPD workshops. In addition, Bookfest continued to play a valued national role by
nominating an author and illustratorfor the Children's Laureate.
Shropshire Bookfest has also responded to the call for evidence from the cross-
party Education Committee Inquiry12025-261 into reading for pleasure, spurred by
the sharp decline in numbers of children reading informally, outside of school. A
submission was prepared over the Christmas break. Many thanks to the officers
and trustees involved, testament to the recognition that this charity has something
of value to offer at the level of national debate.
Finally, we have indicated ourwillingness to support Shropshire Council in its
contribution tothe National Year of Reading 2026 IDfEI although, as a reading for
pleasure charity, this may require only alignment of our planned work with the
NYOR calendar of events. There are some concerns over the bracketing of this
national initiative with the local standards agenda highlighted by Shropshire
Education Service., it was an ideal opportunityto restate a principle of Shropshire
Bookfest- and of reading for pleasure itself- that we are not an outcomes-led
project in terms of reading ages, comprehension test scores or other measurable
results. Wh i 1st we may use feedback i nformation includ ing statistical data to reflect
on individual projects, we do not solicit standardised pupil performance data from
any of our schools. Our concern remains forthe experience of reading, for
supporting teachers and schools in enhancing their provision for the pleasure of
reading for all children.
Looking ahead, Book Award 2026 is engaging 1,909 pupils from 38 schools,
including several new schools, demonstrating the continued reach and reputation
of Bookfest's work.
Overall, 2025 has been a year of which Bookfest can be extremely proud,
reflecting the organisation's commitment to excellence, creativity and lasting
impact in children's literacy. Thanks and reco9nition are due to our schools
coordinator, Simone, and our project coordinator, Annabel, whose dedication,
attention to detail and grit and determination mean the Bookfest light continues to
shine brightly,. and to our amazing volunteers who courageously carry that light
into classrooms right across the county.
Chris Tay. Chair of Trustees

(HARIIY COMM15SIO
FOR ENGLANO AND WALE
Recei
ts and
ments accounts
CC16a
Forlh• p•rfod
01mir2025
3111212035
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
lund•
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Last year
loth•
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38,607
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07
3.874
Cash fvnds thls end
52,427
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CCXX Rl arxtthit8 ISSI
1110212026

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities al the end of the period
Unrestricted
fund•
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C￿640r10•
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3•,177
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Signature
Prfnt Name
CHRISTOPHER TAY
Ib.g.z
SSAN m￿SH￿L
CCXX R2acc¥Avts ISSI
11KJ212026

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl
members of
Shropshire Bookfest
On accounts for the year
ended
31 December 2025
Charity no
lif any)
1120177
Set out on pag88
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charilyllhe Trust.) for the year ended 3111212025.
Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
ba818 of rèport of th8 accounts in accordance with the r8quirem8nts of the Charities Act
2011 1.the Act ).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried oul
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515llbl of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
corne to my attention {
') in connection with
the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material
respect..
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
axamlnèr's statement
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in ¢onnection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding ofthe accounts to be reached.
Ple85e delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Datè:
27 ILF11026
Name:
C Moelwyn-williams
Rèlevant professlonal
qualification(sl or body
lif any):
Bsc FCA
Address:
TCA Accountants, Third Floor. 21 Sl Mary's Street. Shrewsbury, SY1 1ED
IER
October 2018

Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32.
Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for
examiners).
Glve herè brief details of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
dlsclose.
No matters noted
October 2018