After years of hard work by Our Space’s Library Assistant, Sally Poynton, the day finally arrived on Saturday, 28th September for the official launch of her booklet, “Eglantyne” timed to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Eglantyne was a social reformer who in response to the famine in Germany and Austria-Hungry after the First World War, co- founded Save the Children. Sally describes her booklet as a celebration of this inspirational woman’s life and achievements, created in an accessible way that both adults and children can enjoy.  

 Sally was on hand to talk to people about her project as well as presenting a variety of displays to show where she started, how she progressed and the vast amount of work involved in silhouette cutting.  

Prior to the event, Sally had distributed the booklet to interested parties such as local businesses in Ellesmere, libraries including the British Library, Oxford and Cambridge public library, Marlborough Library and Shropshire Libraries. Sally also sent copies to Save the Children’s patron Princess Anne who Sally had met earlier this year. Sally was delighted to receive the endorsement of both Save the Children  from their Headquarters in Geneva who expressed their, “sincere gratitude” and historian and author of Eglantyne’s biography, “The Woman who Saved Children,” Clare Mulley who was delighted to receive a copy: 

“your illustrations are absolutely beautiful! The sort of work I think Eglantyne would have adored.”  

The booklet launch was well attended by the community alongside Eglantyne’s great great nephew, Richard Jebb who commented on how : 

“It is brilliant how over the last few years, we have been able to raise her profile and show what an incredible person she was.” 

Alison Utting delivered a short extract of her presentation about Eglantyne’s fascinating life and Graham Hutchinson: Ellesmere Town Mayor said: 

“The community are so lucky to have the support of Bethphage, the charity that runs Our Space and we are very grateful to  all the staff for  everything they do and now in particular, for highlighting one of the very famous daughters of Ellesmere (and her sister Dorothy) but Eglantyne is a name that everyone associates with Save the Children.” 

Bethphage’s Area Manager, Xee Davies presented Sally with a bouquet of flowers and thanked Sally for her efforts:  

“We knew Sally would make this project a success, but the finished product is beyond all expectation!” 

The booklet is a gift to the people of Ellesmere and the surrounding area to both acknowledge and celebrate this unique woman’s life and the impact she had, making sure the world acknowledged that every child has human rights. 

 This booklet is proudly supported by Bethphage and available for free in the town of Ellesmere and nearby villages. We would like this booklet to reach a large audience, including local schools.  

If you would like to support this, please consider donating to our JustGiving to enable us to print more copies.      

This community project is proudly supported by Bethphage, with special thanks to the Co-Op Community Fund, Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative and the Ellesmere League of Friends.