What was the read of your life?

3:51pm Sunday 13th July 2008

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It might be your first child's birth certificate, your exam results, a family tree, newspaper column or a poem - but for all us there has been a read that changed our life.

Now Wiltshire County Council wants to hear from people about their experiences as part of a campaign to promote reading in all its forms.

The Read That Changed My Life is part of the National Year of Reading. This sees a range of events taking place at Wiltshire County Council-run libraries for the rest of the year.

For Lucknam Park's Michelin-starred chef Hywel Jones the read that changed his life was an evocative cookery book.

Hywel said: "Upon completing my catering college training in Cardiff I took on a full time job as a chef in a small French restaurant called 'Le Cassoulet'. During the afternoons myself and the owner used to take a break in his flat above the restaurant. It was here that I discovered one of his books by a chef named Pierre Koffman called 'Memories of Gascony.' "I read the book from cover to cover and was so inspired by it that I decided to find out where this great chefs restaurant was. Once I discovered it was in London I decided that I must move there to continue my training in restaurants such as his.

"I ended up spending 14 years in London where I managed to carve out a successful career as a chef, and had it not been for reading Pierre Koffmans book I might never have gone."

Chris Moore, head of reading and learning services at Wiltshire County Council, said his choice was similarly food-based and was The New Why You Don't Need Meat by Peter Cox.

"I have always loved animals and had tried to go vegetarian two or three times, but when you live with a group of meat-eaters the smell of roasting chicken can be a bit much to hold out against," said Chris.

"When I read Peter Cox's book it decided me, giving so many good logical reasons for being vegetarian: health, environmental, physical, not just the ethical and emotional concerns. I've now been vegetarian over 15 years, and not even roast chicken tempts me."

As part of the Read That Changed My Life, Wiltshire County Council wants to hear from residents about the read of their lives to highlight how different texts have influenced them. It might be a book, but it could also be a newspaper column, a blog, text message, album sleeve or official document.

People can email their examples, along with their name, address and contact telephone number, to lifechangingread@wiltshire.gov.uk or they can put it on a postcard and send it to Life Changing Read, Communications Team, Wiltshire County Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.

The county council will choose the best examples and feature them in the winter edition of the Wiltshire magazine - which goes out to all residents - as well posting them on its web site.

Mary Douglas said: "There are so many different ways in which reading can open doors for us. It could help us get the job we've always wanted, or change the way we think, or open up a new hobby, or simply give us pleasure and delight.

"For whatever reason you read, I hope you discover some of these opportunities at your local library this year."

Hywel Jones said: "We may read things in different formats but the impact it has upon us is still immense. That is why I'm delighted to support the Read that changed my life and the National Year of Reading."

Details on National Year of Reading events will be displayed at libraries, in the local media and at www.wiltshire.gov.uk