Visit To Kentisbury School – Dick’s Son Giles reports

Published on Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Pictured is my visit to this tiny Primary School on November 25th, to talk about Dick’s life and books.

There are just two classes in this Infants School – the Juniors transfer to Parracombe School, 5 miles away. We are talking deep rural, on the edge of Exmoor; as the conversation developed, it became clear that many of the children are from farming families, and that animals, whether farm or domestic, really matter to them.

Like many children of this age, they like to talk about their pets, and they know that animals don’t live forever; as in Dick’s books, death is a reality that doesn’t need to be avoided.

The children had been reading “The Sheep Pig”, clearly loving it. Some had seen “Babe”, and one or two had been reading other DKS titles. I was so impressed by these 5-7 year-olds, their enthusiasm and ability to concentrate.

Thanks to their equally enthusiastic teacher, Mr. Buckingham. I hope they go on reading – and find the confidence to write as well!

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