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Libraries to share hidden stories of disability

Amy Holmes
Political reporter, BBC Three Counties
Amy Holmes/BBC A picture of a blonde-haired woman, who is standing up. She is holding a book that features a self-portrait of a man and pictures of Gerry Anderson puppet characters.Amy Holmes/BBC
Katie de Joux from Buckinghamshire Council said the project would use physical and interactive books

An installation, writing workshops and dramatic performances, created by adults with disabilities, will be touring Buckinghamshire libraries this spring.

Called The Other Library, they have been produced by the Freewheelers Theatre and Media Company and feature 17 individual projects and three group projects, each presented in a physical or digital book.

Buckinghamshire is one of five local authorities involved in the scheme, part of a wider three-year Rekindle project funded by the National Lottery.

"The mission is to share hidden stories of disability within the county using physical and interactive books," said Katie de Joux, culture and outreach services manager at Buckinghamshire Council

Amy Holmes/BBC A picture of a blonde woman who is sitting on a red leather chair with a book in her hands. To her right is a bookcase. She is wearing a black top and has white trousers on.Amy Holmes/BBC
Ms de Joux said "you never quite know what you are going to get" with the performances

People will be able to explore the world and stories of artists with disabilities at High Wycombe, Chesham, Aylesbury and Buckingham libraries up until 23 April.

Each library will feature a bookshelf installation and host a creative workshop by author and screenwriter Sara Clifford, along with two performances by disabled artists at weekends.

"Some of the performances will be a story told; there will be some dancing," said Ms de Joux.

"It is a little bit of everything and changes from location to location as well. So you never quite know what you are going to get, but it is half an hour of being blown away."

Buckinghamshire Council A picture of two men, who are sitting down on chairs in front of a TV screen which also has two men on screen sitting on chairs. One man has a grey-green jumper on with blue trousers; the other a black jumper and jeans.Buckinghamshire Council
Robert Finley and David Ruffhead from the Freewheelers Theatre and Media Company will be acting in libraries across Buckinghamshire as part of the project

It is hoped the tour could be expanded to cover libraries across the country one day.

Clive Harriss, the council's Conservative cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "The Other Library goes beyond paper text; it is a multimedia experience where some stories are told through dance, some through music and others are told through poetry.

"I would like to encourage residents to pop along to one of the events listed below and explore the bookshelves and discover the stories for themselves."

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