The 2026 David Vaisey Awards ceremony brought together schools, libraries, young people and supporters at the Queens Hotel in Cheltenham on Sunday 11 October, celebrating the people and projects encouraging more people to read more books.

Ali Mawle welcomed guests on behalf of Cheltenham Festivals and highlighted the longstanding partnership between the Festival and the David Vaisey Trust.

Debby Thacker, Chair of Trustees, thanked the Trust’s supporters, whose generosity makes the awards possible. She reflected on the central role of libraries in their communities and the importance of reading for pleasure and wellbeing.

Our special guest, author Patrice Lawrence, spoke movingly about her own experience of libraries and the joy and inspiration that reading has brought her throughout her life. Chair of Judges John Dougherty then announced this year’s awards.

 

Public libraries

Tewkesbury Group Libraries received the top award of £4,250 and the Willans Cup for its Teen Manga Meet-Up project. Building on young people’s enthusiasm for manga, graphic novels and illustration, the project will create opportunities to share books, explore interests and enjoy reading together.

Three further projects each received £1,250:

• Cheltenham Group — Paws for Reading: supporting children’s reading confidence through opportunities to read to dogs.
• Forest Cluster — Read and Ride: helping families with young children access libraries through transport and reading opportunities.
• Wotton-under-Edge Library — The Keepers Library Link: widening access to books and reading through community partnerships.

Schools

Newnham St Peter’s School received the top award of £3,500 and the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire Cup towards an outdoor reading shelter, creating additional space to support its popular school library.

Three further schools each received £1,500:

• Cirencester Kingshill School: a student-inspired graphic novels and manga project, including a Mini Comic-Con.
• Thomas Keble School: a Book Buddies scheme bringing younger and older pupils together to enjoy reading.
• Altus Primary School: a lending library encouraging children to take books home and share reading with their families.

The judges were impressed by the quality of all eight shortlisted projects and allocated the £16,000 school and public library funding to support their different needs.

Young Person Awards

This year’s Young Person Awards recognised six people for their enthusiasm, commitment and contribution to their local libraries.

Caitlin Sutton of Wotton-under-Edge Library and George Jones of Dursley Library were named joint winners, each receiving £100.

The judges also recognised the contributions of Isabella Dunford of Winchcombe Library, Bingxi Xie of Nailsworth Library, Freya Birrell of Cheltenham Children’s Library and Tabitha Lawrence of Stow Library, each receiving £50.

Congratulations to all six recipients, and thank you to the library staff who nominated and supported them.

Student Librarian Award

The newly established Student Librarian Award went to Tom Sampson of Thomas Keble School, recognising his hard work and enthusiasm as a volunteer in the school library. Tom received a certificate and a £50 prize.

Thank you

Thank you to Patrice Lawrence, Cheltenham Festivals, our judges, funders and supporters, and everyone who joined us for the celebration.

Above all, congratulations to this year’s recipients. We look forward to following their projects and sharing the difference they make to readers across Gloucestershire.

We will be sharing photographs, recipient reflections and project updates over the coming weeks.