Iconic children’s author Enid Blyton, popular for her Noddy and Famous Five books, has divided the idyllic English town she lived in, over a festival celebrating her life and work. Organisers in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, are planning a week of activities in honour of the writer, who died in 1968 aged 71. The festival is due to be held in June in the south-east England county to mark 75 years since she moved to the town. There are also plans to install a plaque to mark the spot where her home once stood. But some locals have opposed the idea of such a festival.
Architect Anthony Mealing, 63, is spearheading a campaign to stop a celebration of Blyton's books, which he classifies as ‘racist and offensive’. Mealing's view was criticised on the internet, with one resident writing, ‘Enid Blyton was a fantastic story writer who deserves her place in history. She should be celebrated.’
Many of Blyton's 600 stories have been updated since her death to remove what is deemed as inappropriate content in on Friday's times. The golliwog a racially offensive reference of the Toytown garage in her Noddy books was replaced by 'Mr Sparks'.
Architect Anthony Mealing, 63, is spearheading a campaign to stop a celebration of Blyton's books, which he classifies as ‘racist and offensive’. Mealing's view was criticised on the internet, with one resident writing, ‘Enid Blyton was a fantastic story writer who deserves her place in history. She should be celebrated.’
Many of Blyton's 600 stories have been updated since her death to remove what is deemed as inappropriate content in on Friday's times. The golliwog a racially offensive reference of the Toytown garage in her Noddy books was replaced by 'Mr Sparks'.