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The Ministry of Stories
After passing by the shelves of Tinned Fear, Fang Floss and Organ Marmalade in the world's first monster-specific retail store, young storytellers enter the Ministry to explore all forms of writing, from song lyrics and play scripts, to journalism, blogging and poetry.
The project was founded by author Nick Hornby, along with Lucy Manab and Ben Payne, and is inspired by author Dave Eggers' 826 movement in America. It boasts an extensive list of high-profile ambassadors including Roddy Doyle, who founded the 826-inspired project Fighting Words in Dublin; author Zadie Smith; writer, playwright and actor Meera Syal and former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo.
The Ministry has a community focus and there are plans to replicate its success in locations across the country. Lucy Macnab, director and co-founder said: 'There is a definite need to improve literacy and writing skills for young people in the UK. The 826 model has been proven to work across the USA by not only engaging young people but also volunteers and neighbourhoods through its creative, inclusive approach.'
One of the first creations to emerge from the Ministry of Stories is Lairious Nafairius, conjured from the imaginations of Burbage Primary School students:
Lairious NafariusHave you ever seen a monster with a pyramid for a head? Maybe you should spend more time looking in rubbish bins in the woods, because that's where Lairious, he of the pyramid head, skeletal body, pig-like tail and ruler length toe nails, lives.
To be honest, Lairious would probably hide if he saw you coming. He'd like to be friends but he thinks you look quite ugly. He's as scared of you as he is of mice. If you ever did become friends though, you'd have a great time, painting each others nails and smelling his roast chicken flavoured feet.
You might think that with dry cracked feet he wouldn't be good at dancing. You'd be wrong. He loves it! He also loves food, although Lairious only eats sticks and sand, so it's not like anyone is fighting him for seconds. I don't know if this is true, but Lairious says he is Spiderman. He told me then flew away in his spaceship before I could check!
Year 5 class, Burbage Primary School
The Ministry of Stories receives Grants for the arts funding from Arts Council England and seeded funding from The JJ Charitable Trust.
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