Stan Cullimore started life in one of Hull’s finest exports – The Housemartins. He then became a children’s author with over 120 books published in over 32 countries. These books vary from picture books all the way up to teenage novellas. He also writes and appears in TV shows for children in the UK.
Stan will be presenting Travels with my Uke: writing songs, telling stories at Beverley Library on Saturday, 4 October at 12noon as part of Beverley Literature Festival’s Children’s programme. He will be sharing some of his amazing adventures and creating new songs together with the audience.
Stan says about the show:
“Ever fancied writing a catchy pop song? Then why not come along and pick the small but imperfectly formed brain of an ex-popstar who has been doing just that for years.”
“Warning – this man has never had a proper job! If you like singing or playing the uke…. or even listening to other people singing and playing the uke… then this is the show for you. Come and join ‘One Man and His Uke’ on a mission to bring sing-a-long silliness to the nation!”
Bring your Ukulele along (or borrow your auntie’s) for a Ukulele flashmob finale in the Library! (‘Grown-up’ children welcome!)
The festival’s Children’s programme is supported by the Beverley Building Society.
Stan lives in Bristol with his wife and Mabel the dog. He has four grown-up children and four young grandchildren who all live within strolling distance. As a musician and songwriter with The Housemartins, he enjoyed several international top ten hits, including the No. 1 single – Caravan of Love and Happy Hour. These songs continue to delight people of all age’s right up to the present day.
Stan then became a father and wrote the Henrietta books for his children. These books were published to wide acclaim. He spent several years working with educational publishers such as Pearson, Longman, Heinemann and OUP, writing books for schools that have been used in classrooms all around the world. These days he tends to concentrate on books for reluctant readers.
In recent years, Stan has also moved into television. Writing, producing, directing and appearing in a whole host of children’s TV shows, including Angelina Ballerina, Driver Dan’s Story Train, The Bopps and he can presently be seen on air in the UK in CITVs ‘Bottom Knocker Street,’ where he wears a host of weird and wonderful disguises.
Stan said:
“When I work with children, we might be writing poems, songs, books or a TV show. I tell them it doesn’t matter what form creative writing takes, the emotional heart of the process is always the same. We’re telling a story. Our job is to engage with the audience, entertain them and draw them into the fun so they want to join in.”
Tickets for all events are available from the box office on (01482) 392699, in person at Beverley Library.
