Dale Benton

The Save Lincolnshire’s Libraries campaign has received a huge boost after gaining the support of award-winning author Michael Morpurgo.

Leah Warriner-Wood, a campaigner for the Save Lincolnshire Libraries petition, contacted the War Horse author after discovering that he will be awarded an honorary doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University.

“Michael’s book War Horse had such a profound effect on me as a young reader so I sent an email with pretty much an ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ approach. I was expecting it to get trashed or be waiting days, or even weeks for a response.”

Morpurgo quickly responded to her email, stating that the campaing had his “wholehearted support” and to “please put my name to your petition.”

“I was, quite simply, flabbergasted to get any reply,” said Leah.

“Michael is well-known as a children’s author and laureate, but also for his charitable work for childhood literacy and with his support on board, and notes of support from fellow laureate Michael Rosen and author Neil Gaiman we’re really going to be able to raise the profile of the campaign.

“We can say to parents: Look, these authors believe in your children’s literacy future. Get on board and join the fight.”

The Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign currently has over 500 supporters, with the support for the campaign gathering momentum after an increase of just under 200 signatures in the last week alone.

Prime Minister David Cameron visited Siemens on Tuesday, July 16, to answer questions and discuss debates such as education and apprenticeships.

Over 200 members of staff, both apprentices and senior members attended the Q&A session, where he answered questions on the economy, NHS and Britain’s manufacturing businesses.

As part of a nationwide tour of the country’s major businesses, the PM stated that more must be done to teach children about alternative education and career paths.

“Siemens have been excellent in taking on apprenticeships over the past few years, something that is good for businesses of course but more importantly it is beneficial to the country,” he said.

“But I feel we need to do more — businesses and manufacturing companies need to do more — in teaching and informing students and young people of the options that lay ahead for them.”

The Lincoln Siemens branch already hosts 90 apprenticeships, but while praising the company, Cameron insisted that schools and businesses should help each other in providing students with all the information about alternatives to Higher Education or A Levels.

“It is encouraging to see so many apprentices working here especially female apprentices and future female engineers.

“One thing that struck me when speaking to some of them, is that they either heard about working here through friends or colleagues as opposed to school.

“All businesses should enterprise more, get into schools and teach students about what they can do. It doesn’t have to be Higher Education and A Levels, apprenticeships are available at 16 and then even more at 18.

“The UTC (University Technical College) and apprenticeships like those offered here are vital towards helping rebuild the economy and I strongly encourage these businesses to do all they can in schools.”

David Lewis, head of manufacturing at Siemens gas turbine plant said:
“It was great to see the Prime Minister visiting our site and to have the opportunity to raise some of the issues that employees feel are important to themselves and their families, the business and local community.

“We have worked hard to create a successful business and a large part of this is down to our employees as well as the decisions we have made to invest in our infrastructure and skills and training.”