Former Warminster School pupil and school governor, Beverley Sunderland, has published a children’s fantasy adventure book, The History Gate Adventures: Giants and Dragons, to support the school’s Bursary Fund and help local families.
Dedicated to Warminster School, all profits from Giants and Dragons will go towards Warminster School’s relaunch of its 1707 Bursary Fund. The fund supports the school’s founding belief that ‘education should never be a privilege for the few, but a right for all with the talent and determination to thrive’, and provides a range of bursaries including scholarships. Children can travel to Warminster School by a number of dedicated bus routes across Wiltshire and Somerset, (Frome, Salisbury, Pewsey, Marlborough, Tidworth and Corsham).
Author, Beverley Sunderland, describes Giants and Dragons as a fantasy adventure about a brother and sister, Jack and Rosie, who attend a school which admits children only if they have a fundamental belief that everyone is good at something and want to find what that is.
While staying with an aunt and uncle during their school holiday, Jack and Rosie encounter the History Keepers, who have worked tirelessly for centuries guarding the History Gate to prevent history from being altered by The Dark Forces who have discovered a way to go back in time to attempt to change the past.
With floods, fires and volcanoes erupting, the History Keepers realise this is The Dark Forces attempting to change history, but they cannot work out what they are trying to change. Jack, Rosie and their friends begin to understand what is happening and set out on a great adventure to prevent The Dark Forces from changing the world forever.
Beverley is launching this second edition of Giants and Dragons to give back to the school where she spent eight happy years before going to university, qualifying as a solicitor and later establishing one of the leading employment law firms in the UK. Beverley is also Chair of Warminster School governors, a role she has held for three years.
Comments Beverley Sunderland: “Warminster School taught me that nothing is impossible. This was the inspiration for the History Gate novels, and I wanted to thank the school for everything they did for me and give as many children as possible the chance to have that same experience. A recent visitor to the school said that the school puts the ‘Warm’ in Warminster and I could not agree more.”
Adds Matt Williams, Headmaster, Warminster School: “Warminster School is all about community and the fact that Beverley, a former pupil and now Chair of Governors, has dedicated the book and all profits to our 1707 Bursary Fund, illustrates that fact wonderfully well. We are a school where every pupil matters; everyone is recognised, respected, and celebrated, regardless of what their individual talents might be.”
Says Pupil, Ben, Year 7 on the book: “Like the children in Giants and Dragons, Warminster has helped me believe in myself. I’ve discovered that I’m actually pretty good at most school sports and trying new things like drama and debating. The story shows how you can surprise yourself when you’re brave – and that’s how I feel here every day.”
Anyone wishing to buy the book and support Warminster School’s Bursary Fund can order it on Amazon for £10.
