Lesley Hurworth

Chair

Lesley studied ballet and the drums (not performed together) for many years so is quite confident when taking to the stage and has performed in professional productions! She was Music Librarian for Doncaster Public libraries before venturing into schools, where she is now the Resource Centre Manager at Armthorpe Academy. She loves theatre, and is a keen supporter of live music, playing in two bands herself. She also likes cooking and is a big fan of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall!

Lyn Hopson

Secretary

Lyn was one of the founding members of the DBA and has been on its organising committee ever since. A professional children’s librarian, Lyn is absolutely passionate about books and reading and loves the opportunities the DBA provides to share her enthusiasm and to get kids reading and enjoying books. Her work in finding new ways to promote reading and engaging with children has been widely recognised in various awards, both locally in Doncaster, as ‘Children’s Champion’ and ‘Best in Education for Community Involvement’, and nationally, when she was named as a ‘Literacy Hero’ by the National Literacy Trust in December 2013. Aside from reading, Lyn enjoys being dragged around the countryside on walks with her over-enthusiastic labrador Jeeves, good food and wine and spending time with friends and family.

Phil Sheppard

Treasurer

Phil is a primary school teacher as well as a keen writer and illustrator. His books include Lollipopman: Superhero of the Highway, Sheep Ahoy! and Discover Doncaster! He is a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his one-man story-telling shows. Phil loves animation and has led various workshops for us at the DBA. His favourite children’s books include George’s Marvellous Medicine, Holes and Charlie Higson’s The Enemy series — although if he was stranded on a desert island he would want the complete set of Calvin and Hobbes comic strips to keep him entertained. He also likes films — especially if they involve time travel!

Lynne Coppendale

Schools and Home Educators Coordinator

Lynne has been on and off the DBA committee like a yo-yo, having been one of the inaugural members and then removing herself for a few years for personal reasons. Back with a bang and not a whimper, she is delighted to take on the role of Schools Co-ordinator. Lynne’s background as a professional librarian covers 20 years and four different Secondary Schools in West and South Yorkshire, with pre-qualification work in the University and Public Library sectors. She was a leading member of the Save Doncaster Libraries campaign and is both vocal and passionate about the need to instil literacy skills, and hopefully a love of reading, in our children. In her spare time Lynne loves nothing more than down-time with family and friends, and enjoys debate, theatre, a bit of a head-bang and Facebooking.

Paul Webdale

Committee Member

After teaching at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School for over 30 years I have recently retired from full time teaching. This is going to give me the opportunity to read more and spend time visiting new places in the region, as well as going to the theatre.

Reading for children is I believe a way to feed their imagination and for this reason I have always encouraged children to read for pleasure. As part of this role I have taken children to and encouraged them to participate in the varied events organised by DBA.

My own favourite authors include Terry Pratchett, Gerald Durrell and J K Rowling, with War Horse by Michael Morpurgo and Rose Blanche by Roberto Innocenti being some of my favourite children’s books.