Trustees
Pippa Hyam
Pippa is one of the UK’s leading facilitators and mediators. For five years she was the Chair of the North Cornwall Book Festival, coordinating a team of volunteers to run two schools’ days and a weekend of bookish events. Stepping down in 2024, she is now working with Exploding Words Festivals to deliver schools’ festival days across Cornwall.
David Edwards
David grew up in Cornwall and is a retired Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in senior financial roles across a range of industries including PR, advertising and at Happy Days Nurseries. David is a long-term member of the Bodmin Rotary.
Alison Comber
Alison is a Project Manager with a long-term interest in literacy and previously volunteered as a tutor for the adult literacy programme. Alison was the Treasurer of the North Cornwall Book Festival, since its inception. After 12 years, she stepped down in 2024, to work with Exploding Words Festivals and deliver schools’ festival days across Cornwall.
Volunteer Team
Ann Jones
Ann has retired after 38 years experience across the education sector. In 2001, she became Principal of the first City Technology College. Ann is passionate about giving children and young people as much opportunity as possible to meet and work with writers and authors.
Judith Broadley
Lover of all things literary. With 34 years experience as an Early Years teacher with a penchant for storytelling and retired Head of Pre-prep and Literacy lead. Judith is part of the Exploding Words core team, whilst continuing to volunteer for Endelienta.
Esther Dudley
A retired academic, having taught Design Research and Critical Analysis at Plymouth University. Formerly part of the North Cornwall Book Festival team, working with Exploding Words and improving children’s access to learning is a way of continuing her commitment to education.
Vicky Francis
Administrator and Invigilator. Vicky previously played a major role as schools’ liaison for the North Cornwall Book Festival and since moving away from Cornwall, continues in a similar role for Exploding Words Festivals, albeit at a distance.
Deborah Hilborne
Deborah trained in Business and Marketing and has been a retail buyer, a kitchen designer and a school secretary. Originally part of The North Cornwall Book Festival team, she is now our Safeguarding Officer, she loves the idea that Exploding Words Festivals aims to include as many primary school children in Cornwall as possible.
Patron
Patrick Gale
Patrick Gale is the author of 17 novels and many short stories. His 18th novel, Love Lane, is due out in the spring of 2026. He is writing a stage play based on Take Nothing With You and collaborating on a musical of Man in an Orange Shirt . Extracts from the BBC documentary All Families Have Secrets – the Narrative Art of Patrick Gale can be seen on his website www.galewarning.org.