A CHILDREN’S poet urged creative youngsters not to give up before they “get to the good stuff”.

Appearing at the Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival at the weekend, award-winning Coral Rumble told the Adver: “I think the main piece of advice would be based on the old saying: ‘You can’t edit a blank piece of paper but you can edit bad work.’

“The implication is not to expect everything that comes out of your pen to be something you’re supremely proud of. Many times you write something and it’s rubbish – but it’s a starting point.”

The poet, who started her career as an English teacher and school librarian, said some people got disheartened: “They give up. But we have to write these things to get to the good stuff.”

An estimated 500 people took part in the festival in competition categories and workshops ranging from Shakespeare recitation and poetry to TV newsreading. The ages of those taking part in the festival, which was held at RWB Academy, went from children as young as five to a woman in her 80s.

The festival is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary. Co-founder and drama chairman Sandra McDowell said: “It’s wonderful. It’s flourishing. We feel very privileged to have a festival of this size.”

The RWB Arts Festival continues next weekend. For more, visit: rwbartsfestival.com