The Rockhoppas

Storytime fun at new library

kevinkelway — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:46:45 +0000

ONCE upon a time the leader of Plymouth City Councillor read aloud to children to mark the opening of a new library.

Cllr Vivien Pengelly chose The Adventures of Larry the Pirate when she entertained youngsters at Plympton Library.

The building, which replaces the one destroyed by fire in 2008, was opened this week and among its early events was a session called Chatterbooks, a national reading group programme for children aged four to 12.

The book Cllr Pengelly chose is part of the Rockhoppas adventures, written by Plymouth author Kevin Kelway, and illustrator Stuart McGhee, and featured as a comic strip in The Herald.

The stories feature a penguin’s escapades in Plymouth and on Drake’s Island.

Cllr Pengelly said: “As an ex-teacher I know how important it is to get young children to enjoy reading at an early age.

“It’s not often I get the chance to do this, and it is particularly nice to be able to read aloud a book which features locations around the city.

“Kevin told me Posh Edna is based on me.”

Mr Kelway, who was at the reading event, said children that attended received complimentary copies of the book and put on their “best pirate voices for the occasion”.

He added: “It was a great afternoon reading to the children and certainly made me proud that many of the characters were based on a community I grew up with on Plymouth’s historic Barbican who are longer with us. But they live on in my book.”

The new library has been built next to Harewood House on the same site as the building that burned down.

But the new building is 50 per cent bigger and includes a large meeting room that can be booked by members of the community.

It also has a quiet room with computers in it, a staff room and toilets.

The building features renewable technology including solar electric panels connected to the National Grid, an air source heat pump, light presence and daylight sensors, and it has achieved a top energy performance rating.

The library was officially opened by Plympton Stannator Fred Lethbridge, and attended by Cllr Glenn Jordan, Cabinet member for community services, members of Plympton Community Council, and representatives from Ryearch, the main contractor, and the building’s designers AWW Architects.

Story Written by the Business Editor of the Evening Herald William Telford

Queen Alicia supports the Falkland Islands

kevinkelway — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:15:15 +0000

HRH Queen Alicia sent a personal telegram to the Falklands Islands Rockhopper community today, and gave her rousing support in keeping the Islands British.

“HIP..HIP..HURRAH!” The penguins all cried across Drake’s Island.

“Indeed,” cried Queen Alicia on Plymouth Hoe today.

Queen Alicia meets little Stephanie

kevinkelway — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:32:49 +0000

Her royal majesty Queen Alicia visited little Stephanie’s House today for a cup of tea and chat about the future careers of the Waddling Chicks, and what they’d like to do when they grow up?

Meanwhile Little Tommy Bright woke up this morning in a foul mood and kept complaining, and wanted more pocket money for sweets!

Posh Edna said “That’s nice!”

WELL dear readers, too many sweets are not good for your teeth-so be warned, said Nelly Rocket the Island’s special fitness trainer.

Rockhoppas author visits Plympton Library

kevinkelway — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:47:29 +0000

Local author Kevin Kelway was invited to read his book to the children at the Plympton Library Book Club recently.

City Council Leader Vivien Pengelly also attended and read out extracts of the “Adventures of Larry the Pirate’ to 15 children who came along to receive free copies.

Kevin Kelway, said: “I was honoured to be invited and really enjoyed the experience and a big thanks to organisers at Plympton Library, Vivien Pengelly, Stephanie Sinclaire, and Roxanne and Rob Guy.”

Little children teach Juanita some manners!

kevinkelway — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:14:49 +0000

Juanita runs the children's gauntlet

Manners are free and two little children teach Juanita the rat a very good lesson indeed, always say please and thank you if you want some one to respect you?

Lady Agnes on the diamond case!

kevinkelway — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Crown Jewel robbers being followed by Lady Agnes

The world’s most top secret spy Lady Agnes on the case of the jewel thieves!

Roger the pirate gets a telling off from Posh Edna

kevinkelway — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:51:03 +0000

Big Roger the pirate gets a Posh Edna hand bagging

Naughty pirate Big Roger is being told off by Posh Edna for splatting cake on her famous green hat.

Nelly Rocket starts a cake fight on Plymouth Hoe

kevinkelway — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:06:40 +0000

Nelly Rocket starts cake fight on Plymouth Hoe

Dance expert Nelly Rocket drops a surprise birthday cake in the face of Posh Edna that starts the biggest cake fight the Rockhoppas have ever seen!

Rockhoppa penguin’s new earring’s craze

kevinkelway — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Bone earrings the latest fashion craze

Posh Edna makes the Plymouth Herald’s Rockhoppas column and her new craze for fashionable bone earrings, said Nelly Rocket today.

Chief Akbar causes a stir at Tinside Pool

kevinkelway — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:57:11 +0000

Chief Akbar causes a stir at Tinside Pool

The mysterious Drokes on Drake’s Island appeared at Tinside Pool today, and are normally very shy and only come out at night! But they had been woken up from their slumbering sleep by the very noisy and chaotic scenes at Tinside Pool where a cake fight was started by the Waddling Chicks.

Chief Akbar the leader of the Drokes raised his radio antenna ears that gave out the most shrieking sound that could be heard all across the city of Plymouth that made everyone cover their ears in pain.