New regional mayor to create ambassador role for walking and cycling
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT TO DRIVING WILL BE PROMOTED BY NEW CAMPAIGN
A DERBY secondary school has hosted its first-ever author visit.
Children’s author Tom Palmer – who has written more than 60 books – was at Alvaston Moor Academy on Bracken’s Lane to deliver workshops both on becoming an author and the wartime period in which his work largely specialises.
Students were also given the opportunity to spend time with the successful author as a reward for their work on World Book Day.
Tom, whose work has been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and includes titles such as Armistice Runner, Combat Zone and Free Kick, said he enjoyed giving workshops as a way of inspiring young people.
He said: “I never dreamed I could be an author. I never thought normal people could be authors. I thought you had to be from London and posh.
“I think it’s really good for normal people to be authors and to know
THE East Midlands Mayor has decided to appoint an “active travel ambassador” to promote transport methods such as walking and cycling as an alternative to driving.
Claire Ward, elected as the first East Midlands mayor for Labour after an election in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on May 2, said the person who took on the job would help the region transition to net zero.
News of the job role being created was announced on Thursday, although no meetings have yet been scheduled to debate the matter and no detailed documents have been released about the plan, which was instead announced in a press release.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority, which Ms Ward leads, says further details on the role will be announced “in the coming weeks”.
The mayor said: “Working they can be an author if they want to, and to realise that books are written by real people.
“I really struggled with reading until I was 17. But I would read newspapers and magazines about together towards a greener East Midlands is front and centre of my ambition to make this the best place to live, to work and to learn. “I am inspired to see so many residents and businesses across our region getting involved in active travel – whether that’s walking, cycling or wheeling – and playing their part in securing a more sustainable future for us all. “I am therefore delighted to announce that the EMCCA will be appointing an active travel embassador.
“A key part of the role will be to make sure active travel options are available to everyone across our region, making sure no one is left behind or held back as we make the transition to net zero.” Four other jobs are being advertised on the EMCCA website, including a chief executive and executive directors for strategy and inclusive growth, resources and place. The salary has not yet been confirmed for any of these jobs, but the chief executive salary is described as “competitive”. football and I built up my reading stamina that way. The first books I wrote were football related.
“I always had this idea that better people than me did things. But any of us can do something if we really put our minds to it.”
Tom’s visit was the first time an author had been to the school since it was taken over by Archway Learning Trust in 2020.
Academy literacy lead Susan
Bevan said the day had been a great experience for students.
She said: “It’s really important for students to be inspired to read because it’s one of the most important things they can do for their education in all subjects, and not just English.
“We had a brilliant day with Tom Palmer who really engaged with the students and I am certain inspired them to read and some of them to become authors themselves! Thank you very much to him for coming to visit Alvaston Moor Academy.”