Literacy news
Sir Simon Hornby Memorial Lecture in aid of the National Literacy Trust takes place to celebrate World Book Day
17 Mar 2011
The Literacy: State of the Nation lecture was given by bestselling author Anthony Horowitz and chaired by National Literacy Trust President Baroness Usha Prashar, CBE. During the lecture it was announced that the National Literacy Trust have received a 100% cut in government funding and in response will run a £1million fundraising campaign to ensure their vital work can continue.
Anthony is a long-standing supporter of the National Literacy Trust and is dedicated to championing the importance of literacy in the UK. He is the author of the phenomenally successful ALEX RIDER books, with the ninth and final ALEX RIDER novel, SCORPIA RISING, to be published by Walker Books on 31 March. He is currently writing the screenplay for the second TINTIN movie, to be directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, and has recently been commissioned by Orion Books and the Conan Doyle literary estate to write a new SHERLOCK HOLMES novel, due for publication in November.
Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede CBE has been an instrumental figure in the development of the National Literacy Trust since its foundation. From 2001 to 2005 the Baroness succeeded Sir Simon Hornby as Chairman of the National Literacy Trust. Following Sir Simon’s death last year, the Baroness became President of the National Literacy Trust in December.
You can read a full transcript of the lecture here. A recording of the event is available here.
