Chris Tay takes over the reins as Chair of Trustees at Shropshire Bookfest, a position that was confirmed at the AGM in December 2023.

Chris Tay was chief alchemist at Longden CE Primary School and Nursery for the last twenty-three years of his thirty-five wonderful years in primary education. He now mainly works Initial Teacher Education as well as providing subject training in History, Geography and Art.  He has also trained with the RSC’s Education Department as part of a Masters in Teaching Shakespeare. His connection to Shropshire Bookfest goes back to the very early days of Book Award when it was clear to him that this was something very special that children needed in their lives and schools could benefit from.

“Having been involved with Bookfest from a school perspective for many years, I am honoured and somewhat tremulous at finding myself Chair. I am grateful to Jane Payton, as outgoing Acting Chair, for her diligence, hard work and good reason in guiding Shropshire Bookfest through another year of resounding success; to my fellow trustees for the insight, attention to detail and loving care they give freely to this great project; to the team of enthusiasts for children’s reading who volunteer in a multitude of ways to make sure books are cherished, valued and enjoyed by so many lucky children.”

Caroline Graham takes up the post as Vice Chair of Trustees.

Following a successful career in the insurance industry, as Head of Financial Operations for AXA Insurance, she took a career break to raise her family and has consistently enjoyed reading books since childhood and now to her 2 children. She joined the Board of Trustees at Bookfest early in 2023 and quickly got stuck in to the machinations of the organisation. Caroline says;

“I am really pleased to have this opportunity to be involved with Bookfest and look forward to helping them deliver more page-turning inspiration for the young readers of Shropshire.”