The Salford Literacy Trail BookBenches are designed by local artists who have worked with Salford’s school children to create a piece of art that reflects the stories that inspire them and how reading can make them feel

We hope that this trail will encourage families, schools, and the local community to discover new stories and to talk and connect over an ever-growing love of reading.

The Salford Literacy Trail BookBenches are being created by Wild in Art, a specialist organisation behind many other successful trails, such as Bee in the City, Elmer’s Great North Parade, and Walking with The Snowman.

The Memory Tree

The design was inspired by The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup which looks at reminiscence, friendship and the passage of time. 150 pupils worked with Lauren Mullarkey to create glass insects that might live in the orchard at Ordsall Hall, and ghosts, as it is rumoured that the hall is haunted. These are carefully worked into a mosaic on the back of the BookBench that also references Primrose Hill. All pupils at the school, and their parents, were invited to reflect on their memories of Ordsall via drawings, descriptions and poetry. These have been integrated into their own memory oak tree by the school’s artists in residence, Marie Cash.

Find Your Happy

The pupils and Emily wanted to create something bright and colourful visually that would represent the cover of Emily's first ever children's book, Find Your Happy, which was published by Walker Books on 2nd June. The idea behind the bench was that it encouraged children to recognise different feelings and emotions and help them find their happy in this funny old world. The back of the bench is filled with words and inspiration from the children based on what they do to 'find their happy'.

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Get in touch to learn more

If you have any questions or comments about the Salford Literacy Trail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Interested in buying a bench?

Want to buy a BookBench? Our auction is now live and will close on 22nd September 2022 at 7pm. All the money raised will fund local literacy projects.

Salford BookBench Auction