The actor John Hurt CBE reading to the children at Belfry School Overstrand

Photograph © Craig Middleton of Focalpoint Digital 

The children at North Norfolk’s Belfry School in Overstrand were given a treat recently when the famous stage and screen actor John Hurt read to them from Harry Potter.

Mr Hurt – acknowledged as being one of Britain’s greatest actors – was at the school to assist with the opening of the new Icarus Library. The creation of the attractive and well-stocked library was made possible by the support of local businesses and by fund raising events organised by some of the parents over the past year. Everyone involved, from the early planning stage through to opening day,  have worked very hard to provide the children with a great learning resource.

The new library is named after the well-known Cromer butcher Mr Icarus Hines who was a major sponsor and supporter of the project.

Mr Hines said it was an honour to have the library named after him and added: “I was not a good reader but I think if I had a library like this to go to I would have been more encouraged.”

The library’s decoration was inspired by the Harry Potter stories. Two parents, Jade Mays and Antonia Heath took 30 days to complete the woodland scenes that depict the forest from day to night.

The headteacher of the school, Titus Cotton, said it was amazing to have Mr Hurt visit the school. He said: “We have worked really hard to turn this place around and make it a school to be proud of… Having Mr Hurt here was exceptional and the children were captivated. He does so much for the community and we are very grateful he did this for us.”

Quotes EDP