Community to get new garden with KCOM grant
Youngsters will be able to enjoy a new urban garden thanks to a KCOM community grant
Youngsters across Hull and East Yorkshire will be able to enjoy a pre-bedtime treat his week with the release of an exciting new ghost story.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.
Youngsters across Hull and East Yorkshire will be able to enjoy a pre-bedtime treat his week with the release of an exciting new ghost story.
The story, called Ghost Ship on the Humber, features Hull FC and Hull KR’s mascots, Airlie Bird and Rufus the Robin coming to the aid of two young rugby fans who spot a mysterious Viking ghost ship on the Humber Estuary.
Is it an invading ghost army? What do the spectral seafarers want? Will the rival mascots be able to work together to solve the mystery? All these questions and more will be answered as the story unfolds throughout the course of a week.
The bedtime story has been created by KCOM which used to run popular bedtime story phone lines in the 1960s and 70s. This updated version has been written by award-winning children’s author Tom Palmer, who has also just been picked to pen the revamped Roy of the Rovers series, and illustrated by Hull artist Lindy Norton.
Cathy Philips, KCOM’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back the bedtime story for a whole new generation.
“Our story phone lines were incredibly popular when we ran them in the 70s and this is updating it for a 21st century audience. It’s a new twist on an old classic. We hope children and their parents will watch our team of celebrity storytellers together as they read a new chapter online each night before going to bed.
“It’s an exciting story brilliantly written by Tom Palmer that will hopefully keep them on the edge of their seats – or beds - and eager to hear the next chapter.”
Writer Tom Palmer said: “I am proud to be part of this project. Reading bedtime stories with my daughter has definitely been one of the best things about being a dad. Sharing stories and pictures and talking about them is good for both parent and child, as well as just being nice.”
One, three-minute, chapter will be released each evening between Monday, 11 June, to Friday 15 June, with five local Hull celebrities and sporting stars taking it in turns to tell the story.
TV star Amy Thompson, of Channel Five’s Milkshake, will kick off the story by reading the first chapter on Monday, followed by Hull KR player Robbie Mulhern on Tuesday, BBC Radio Humberside’s Lizzie Rose on Wednesday, Hull FC prop Micky Paea on Thursday and Hull’s own Gold Man – Andy Train – will bring the story to an exciting climax on Friday.
Amy Thompson, who grew up in west Hull, said: “This is an amazing idea because there’s nothing like a great bedtime story. My nephews love me reading them a bedtime story every time I come home and it’s one of my favourite things to do.
“Anything that helps inspire children’s imaginations and love of reading is a good thing. I loved reading this story. It’s fun, exciting and a bit scary – but not too scary – and a great way for parents to spend some time enjoying the story with their kids before bedtime.”
The Ghost Ship on the Humber follows last year’s successful story writing competition run by KCOM in which children were asked to write the next instalment of The Magic Phone Box. The competition was such a success, with hundreds of children submitting their stories, that KCOM were eager to get involved promoting children’s literacy again.
This year the communications provider is supporting The Big Malarkey Festival children’s literature festival that runs from Wednesday, June 20, to Sunday, June 24.
KCOM will be attending the festival with its social media-powered vending machine which will see some youngsters win big prizes.