Monmouth schools are gearing up for a year-long celebration as they officially launch the National Year of Reading 2026. This initiative, supported by the UK’s Department for Education, aims to promote reading across various communities. Participating institutions include Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, Monmouth Comprehensive School, and the Monmouth Community Hub.
The collaborative effort will feature a diverse range of events designed to inspire and engage readers of all ages. Activities planned throughout the year include author visits, competitions, community storytelling sessions, and exhibitions. Notable authors such as M.G. Leonard, Daniel Morden, Ben Kane, and Sion Tomos Owen have already confirmed their participation.
Community Engagement and Excitement
The heads of the participating schools expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative. Melvyn Roffe, Head of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, emphasized the value of reading, stating, “Reading is the gateway to so many incredible ideas, fascinating people, and exciting new worlds.” He expressed pride in collaborating with local partners to enhance the reading experience for the community.
Meanwhile, Hugo Hutchison, Head of Monmouth Comprehensive School, highlighted the importance of reading for young people. “We feel incredibly lucky to be partnering with other local schools and community groups, forging productive relationships and creating inspired shared experiences for our young people together,” he said. Hutchison also expressed hope that the partnership would extend beyond the official initiative.
Students are equally excited about the upcoming events. Olive, a student at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I am really excited for all the events and author visits, and I feel it will encourage everyone to read more.” Her fellow pupil, Dima, added, “It’s great to see people being intrigued about reading and learning more.”
Supporting Lifelong Reading Habits
The initiative has also garnered support from local community groups. Lydia Dowding, Lead of Monmouth Library, expressed her excitement about the campaign, stating, “The National Year of Reading is an excellent opportunity to get Monmouth reading. We’re thrilled to be working with Monmouth’s schools on this initiative.” Dowding highlighted the importance of connecting young people with their local library as a lifelong resource.
In addition, Helen Wragg, Chair of the Rolls Hall Strategy Group and Co-Director of Living Windows, remarked on Monmouth’s status as a center of education and learning. She noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the community’s educational goals. Averil MacDonald, Chair of Monmouth U3A, expressed her organization’s commitment to supporting the Year of Reading initiatives, emphasizing the joy of reading across generations.
As Monmouth schools prepare for this exciting year ahead, the community is poised to embrace reading in all its forms, fostering a culture of literacy that promises to enrich the lives of students and residents alike.
