Priti Patel, Member of Parliament for Witham, visited Howbridge Junior School in Witham as part of her 2026 Get Witham Reading initiative, which celebrates literacy, reading and the enjoyment of books across local schools.
Originally launched by Priti in 2012, Get Witham Reading continues to encourage children across the Witham constituency to develop their literacy skills, celebrate reading achievements and build a lifelong love of books.
During the visit, Priti was joined by Witham-based author Linda Farrow, author of the children’s book series Qwerty Kidz. Priti and Linda visited classrooms across the school, meeting pupils and staff to discuss creative writing and Linda’s experiences as an author. Pupils taking part in the initiative were also presented with certificates and bookmarks to recognise their enthusiasm and participation.
Priti Patel said:
“I was delighted to visit Howbridge Junior School in Witham and celebrate the achievements of pupils taking part in Get Witham Reading. Since its launch in 2012, the initiative has brought local schools together to promote literacy and encourage children to enjoy reading.
“Reading open up new opportunities for young people. They support learning, inspire imagination and help children build the confidence they need to succeed. My thanks go to the pupils, teachers and staff at Howbridge Junior School for their enthusiasm and for making this visit such an enjoyable part of Get Witham Reading 2026.”
