Shropshire Star

‘Be brave’ Clare Balding tells Telford pupils as she launches book

She's reported from six Olympic games and has racked up countless hours on the television and radio.

Published
Last updated
Clare with Lucy Felton and Zach Tipping from Muxton Primary School

But broadcaster Clare Balding described the launch of a paperback version of her children's book to 600 Telford youngsters in one word – terrifying.

If the former jockey and animal lover was nervous when she walked on stage just minutes later, she hid it well.

She was at Oakengates Theatre to launch the paperback version of her book The Racehorse Who Wouldn't Gallop.

The crowd of children from seven schools across the borough were instantly hooked as she shared inspirational stories from her long career as a sports broadcaster, memories from her childhood and readings from her book.

Clare with Zach Tipping

Clare said: "It's fantastic to be given the opportunity to come to Telford and meet with so many kids from a range of schools.

"Shropshire is a really interesting big county. The kids here are active and curious, they want to learn and they love reading.

"A lot of them have animals and are interested in riding or have horses themselves, so that's great as well for this story."

Youngsters from Randlay Primary, Meadows Primary, Queenswood, High Ercall, Newdale Primary, Wrockwardine Wood Junior and Muxton Primary made up the audience for the hour long talk.

Many of the pupils were given the chance to meet Clare and came away with signed copies of the book.

During a short question and answer session, she described her writing process and what inspired her.

She said: "I still read children's authors. The Hunger Games I think is amazing – they're brilliantly written books.

"Writing for children, you have to keep the pace up, create your characters loud, proud and bold, and you've got to make it entertaining.

"Think of what you love, whether it's football or gymnastics, and try to give that a voice."

Between references to some of the biggest sporting stars Britain has produced and pop culture heroes including Beyonce and Taylor Swift, Clare took a moment to offer a word of advice following the attack in Manchester earlier this week.

"I know how affected you will be after the Ariana Grande concert," she said.

"They targeted children who were having their first experience of freedom, going without their parents who were outside meeting them when the bomb went off.

"Don't let that stop your desire to be independent, to go out with friends, to go to concerts. That's the most important thing you can do. Be brave and look out for each other."

Clare's next book for children, The Racehorse Who Disappeared, will be out in September.