A nod From Nelson
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
31st January 2008
On a wild and blustery day, it was good to be in the warmth and comfort of the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, with Simon Weston, Nelson the horse and Nelson's stable-mates for company. A Nod from Nelson, Simon's first story for children, was greeted enthusiastically by pupils from Treorchy Primary School, and Brynhyfryd Infants School in Swansea.
Simon started by explaining that when he was a soldier many years ago he suffered terrible burns when his troopship exploded. The children nodded wisely as Simon repeated the warning never, ever to play with matches! Then he told them a little bit about his new book A Nod from Nelson. He hoped that they would enjoy the story and, at the same time, learn something about how things used to be in days gone by.
The children – some as young as five – sat enthralled as Simon read the first chapter of his book where Mike the Milk takes delivery of his new milk float and Nelson, who used to pull the old milk cart, officially starts his retirement. Things don’t quite turn out as Mike plans, however, because he has a bit of a mishap with an oil barrel, and sets in motion a whole chapter of accidents which Nelson and his stable-friends have to sort out!
When Simon finished reading the first chapter, it was clear the children were anxious to hear more. Their new author wasn't going to escape quite so easily! The children were delighted when he read from a later chapter where Nelson explains how he helps Mike the Milk remember the orders on his milk round by making up rhymes. Just to make matters more difficult, all three houses at the start of Caitlin Avenue are owned by people called Davies: Miss Davies, Mr Davies and Mrs Mavis Davies – which is why Mike finds the rhymes about them so helpful. The children loved the one about Mrs Davies: 'Mavis Rhys Davies – just one pint of skimmed. She's going to Spain and she needs to be slimmed.’ They found it even funnier when Mike started getting his rhymes mixed up and began talking about a moose on the loose in Caitlin Avenue! Children from Treorchy Primary School found the rhymes particularly amusing - and for a very special reason! Every time Simon read the name Davies, they turned round to look at their teacher…Mrs Davies! It turned out that Mr Davies, her husband, actually comes from Nelson, Simon’s home village and the setting for A Nod from Nelson.
After squash and biscuits, the children received a signed copy of the book from the author and then went back to school armed with memories and activities to help them remember their special day.
