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Bus transformed into library in memory of Bourn Primary Academy pupil




A double-decker bus has undergone a £27,000 transformation into a library in memory of a pupil who died.

Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015979)
Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015979)

Bourn Primary Academy Year 1 pupil Lyla Blue Glennen died aged five from a brain haemorrhage in April last year.

The conversion took over a year to complete and was made possible thanks to the huge efforts of parents, teachers and the community, with a number of local businesses offering their services free of charge.

Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015975)
Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015975)

Fundraisers also helped to raise more than £27,000 through the Bourn School Reading Bus Appeal to pay for the works.

Headteacher Laura Latham said: “It looks beautiful. We wanted a place where children could browse any books. We don’t want to limit the books they read. They’ll be able to revisit old favourites, as well as new ones.

Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015977)
Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015977)

“We are focussed on developing reading across the school so that every child is able to read at the level that they should be reading to and that’s quite challenging for some children.

“But we support them through all sorts of interventions and just having reading as being something that everybody wants to do is really important in encouraging all children to read.”

The bus was donated by Ensign Bus Company in Purfleet and its engine and fuel tank were removed before it arrived.

Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen, pictured is Lyla's mum Simone Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015973)
Bourn Primary turn double decker bus into library in memory of pupil Lyla Blue Glennen, pictured is Lyla's mum Simone Glennen. Picture: Keith Heppell. (58015973)

Year 1 teacher Judith Balls first had the idea to convert a bus for a school library and after Lyla died, it was decided to make it happen to do something positive in her memory.

It has been completely transformed, with new lighting and seating, and is now home to around 1,800 books. There is a big storytelling chair, which can be used by teachers reading stories to their classes, and a touching tribute to Lyla inside written by Lyla’s mum that features a wish list and rules, including ‘hush imaginations are at work’.

There is also a special area dedicated to Lyla, whose family have been involved in the project since the start, on the top deck. ‘Lyla’s Corner’ features a big, purple chair, surrounded by quotes from her favourite books and stories, and her favourite sayings like “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. There’s also a picture of a unicorn, as Lyla loved unicorns.

Lyla Blue Glennen 5 who died from a brain haemorrhage. (58015981)
Lyla Blue Glennen 5 who died from a brain haemorrhage. (58015981)

And it is not just the inside that has had a makeover. An illustrator worked with Lyla’s class and Year 5 to create a unique and very special wrap for the outside of the bus.

The bus was unveiled at a ceremony on Friday, which was attended by Lyra’s family, parents, teachers and all of the children at the school.

“It’s been a really collaborative effort. The local community has been amazing,” added Mrs Latham.



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