On Saturday, the Theatre Club headed off to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford to spend an afternoon with author and presenter, Clare Balding. An excellent live speaker, Clare had the children captivated “from the off,” as she spoke about her new book, “The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop.”
Based largely on her own childhood, she recalled stories of growing up surrounded by horses and sport, which formed the basis for her new book. She also inspired the audience with her Olympic anecodotes (such as Adam Peaty being scared of water as a child) and advised them to “try everything and don’t worry if you fail.”
Towards the end of her talk, Clare took questions volunteered from the audience (our pupils were, unsurprisingly, very enthusiastic at this point!) and then she handed out books to the children. Cranleigh Prep pupils couldn’t wait to start reading their books; most were doing so whilst they waited to meet Clare and have their books signed!
Clare left us with several quotes from her new book to end her inspirational talk. She encouraged the children not to be “frightened of being different, be an individual”; to “focus on what’s inside” and to “concentrate a little bit harder in class!” Who wouldnt agree with all of those sentiments?!
