Schools Outreach

We’re certainly going to be busy during autumn and leading up to the festival period.  For 2026, and following the success of last year, we have another Children’s Writing competition, for local children to get involved with writing a short story 300-500 words around the theme of ‘Folklore and Legend’. It is free to enter, and we’re teaming up with the National Literacy Trust to deliver some bespoke workshops to local primary school children, set in and among some of the interesting and curious artefacts at the Whitby Museum.  This should spark their imaginations to create some wonderful tales and perhaps inspire them to become tomorrow’s great writers.  All local schools will be invited to take part in the competition and there will be a free awards ceremony during the festival on Saturday 21st November at 10.30am, where there will chance to hear the winning entries, and to see winners receive their prizes, as well as a visit from children’s author and singer, Corinne Bailey Rae.

The Monday 5th October and closes Friday 6th November.

Theatre

We are also working with Dogwood Theatre during autumn, engaging with local schools to learn all about the life and work of local legend, Dora Walker.  There will be creative workshops in schools, and further events during the half-term holidays at Whitby Library.  Some of the amazing work will then be available to see across the festival.

Story Bus

In addition to the writing competition and all these workshops, this year we are going out and about during the festival on a Story Bus.  North Yorkshire Libraries have kindly agreed to drive their mobile library around some of our country village schools on Friday 20th November so that children can come onboard and hear stories, see some lovely puppetry and perhaps meet an author.  This is made possible through the generous offer from NY Library Service, and other funding to support costs.  Part of our mission at WLF is to encourage a love of reading and engage with the local community.  Across the weekend there will be other children’s and family events for people to attend.