Edgbarrow pupils enlightened by Britain's Gypsy story - Berkshire

From GetReading

Bookworms at Edgbarrow School were treated to a visit from an award winning author to learn about the real story of Gypsies.

Students at the school in Grant Road, Crowthorne met Richard O’Neill, who is also a performance storyteller and scriptwriter and was recently awarded the title of National Literacy Hero by the Duchess of Cornwall.

Mr O’Neill said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me a as storyteller and author to tell students and teachers the real story of Gypsies in Britain,and how since the reign of King Henry VIII we have been contributing to literacy through storytelling, poetry and song.

“Even William Shakespeare mentioned Gypsy people in his work.”

The celebrated author, who also carves his own story-telling props out of wood, spent the day telling stories and reading from his latest novel.