Chichester charity Children's BookFest appoints two new patrons

Sir Mark Featherstone-Witty

Sir Mark has a background in publishing, education and the arts. After envisioning the BRIT School, he was Founder of the award-winning university, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) with Paul McCartney as Lead Patron. He then founded LIPA Primary/High School and LIPA Sixth Form College. He is a tireless advocate for the right of young people to forge a career in a sector which is undervalued by the UK government and is a true visionary, as well as being both passionate and pragmatic.

We at CBF are over the moon that Sir Mark believes in our mission and is willing to roll his sleeves up and jump right into the business of running and developing our beloved charity. His deep understanding of the role of creativity in education, along with his effervescent personality and generous heart, is truly inspiring.

When asked for his thoughts on working with CBF, Sir Mark said: “Imagination is the foundation of creativity, the human ability to think about what does not actually exist (and creativity is not limited to the arts, which many believe when they say ‘I’m not creative’). The arts exercise our imagination because they entice us to live in someone else’s world. You read a book, which you know isn’t true, but, as you are drawn in, the characters and the events become real. You live in the life of the book. Every time you re-read a book you re-enter another world. This is why book ownership is so important for young people and why I am involved with this splendid initiative.”

Iszi Lawrence

Iszi Lawrence has so many strings to her bow it’s practically a harp. Not only is she a prolific writer of historical fiction for children, she’s also a comedian, podcaster and History presenter. You might know her from programmes such as Radio 4’s, Your Place or Mine, as well as from her jam-packed schedule of stand-up and MC work. She combines wit with intellect and communicates her passion for her subjects to audiences of all descriptions.

Her back catalogue of kidslit is astonishing, with subjects ranging from jiu jitsu suffragettes to female spitfire pilots. Her recent novel for 9 to 12-year-olds, City of Spies, follows the real Culper Spy Ring in New York during the American Revolution, and the next two instalments in her series for 6 to 9 year olds The Time Machine Next Door were released in April 2024.

CBF is honoured that Iszi has agreed to support us by becoming our Patron. Her broad range of interests and abilities afford her a depth of understanding of our aims that will be hugely beneficial to the charity and to the children we work with.

Iszi said: “The Children's Book Festival is a beacon of literacy and inclusivity, fostering a love for reading among children from all backgrounds. As a proud patron, I am thrilled by its unique approach. By bringing authors directly into schools, the festival ignites imaginations and sparks conversations that resonate with young minds. What sets it apart is its commitment to accessibility – the charity buys a book for every child to keep, regardless of their circumstances. This tactile connection to literature is invaluable, instilling a sense of ownership and pride in their growing libraries. Meeting authors not only inspires creativity but also reinforces the power of storytelling in shaping futures."

Penny Tomlinson, one of the founders of CBF says: “We are thrilled to welcome Sir Mark and Iszi to our small but mighty charity and look forward to seeing where our combined energies can take us. With their support and experience, we hope to reach many more children in the years to come.”

These appointments come at a key time in the charity’s evolution. Since its inception in 2019, CBF has gifted over 22,000 books to thousands of local children and has equally high hopes for the next five years.