'The Lost Words' in Devon

Aim

Providing a copy of this celebrated 'spell-book' to as many primary schools in Devon as funding permits.

Thanks to our brilliant supporters, 'The Lost Words in Devon' campaign has now surpassed our initial funding target.  Fund-raising continues until 25.11.2018 and additional funds raised will mean that even more schools will receive even more copies of the celebrated, beautiful 'spell-book'.  Addressing well-being and sustainability in so many ways, acrostic poems, sumptuous illustrations and the book’s gargantuan scale invite joyous, vital reconnection with nature, so there's never been a more important time to put Devon on The Lost Words map, joining the whole of Scotland and more than a dozen counties in England where primary schools have already received their copies.  

From the pen of Robert Macfarlane and the brush of Jackie Morris, The Lost Words bases its magic on words used to describe the natural world – words that are known to be vanishing from the language of children: acorn, adder, bluebell, bramble, conker ... and so on. Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and author of a number of bestselling and prize-winning books, Robert Macfarlane uses those words to conjure up – for adults and children alike – flora and fauna that are, in turn, disappearing or little-noticed. A word of warning! Those incantatory 'spells' and Jackie Morris' wealth of rich illustrations may lead to complete escape into a calmer, more vibrant, more nurturing world. In such ways, improved literacy, increased environmental awareness and thereby stewardship can surely be added to the list of The Lost Words’ impacts upon well-being and sustainability. 

Book distribution has been promised by Babcock LDP Schools Library Service and by Plymouth Schools Library Service - thank you, both: that has saved the campaign a great deal of expense.  Support in raising the project's profile has been given by Dartmoor National Park Authority; Dartmoor Preservation Association (who also made a £500 donation - thank you!); Devon County Council Waste Management via their Sustainability Bulletin; Federation of Children's Book Groups; Harbour Bookshop, Kingsbridge (who also kindly donated National Book Token rewards - thank you!) Literature Works; Liznojan Books, Tiverton; Riverford Organic Farmers (who also kindly donated yummy veg boxes - thank you!); The Outdoors Group; Sustainable Outdoor Learning in Devon; Sustainable South Brent; Tamar Valley AONB and other organisations.  Most recently, councillors from Devon County Council have chosen to donate £995 to 'The Lost Words in Devon' from their discretionary fund for not-for-profit endeavours that seek to 'enrich and involve local communities'.

While the majority of funds received will buy copies of The Lost Words for schools, £300 will be reserved as a conference fee for Eva John - author of the 'Explorer's Guide to The Lost Words'.  Along with the book's illustrator, Jackie Morris (who has waived her fee in support of this campaign), Eva will run sessions at a conference for Devon's primary teachers and outdoors practitioners due to be held at Buckfast Abbey on 08 March 2019.  Inspired by The Lost Words, the conference theme will be 'Improving Outcomes in Literacy and Language Through Outdoor Learning and Sustainability'. A conference flier, programme and booking form are available on the website of conference organisers, Sustainable Outdoor Learning in Devon, working in collaboration with Natural Devon

 We do hope you will join us in supporting 'The Lost Words in Devon' exciting campaign to benefit children across the county.

This project successfully funded on 25th November 2018