Alex Wheatle
Posted on 21st March 2025
We were shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of talented and inspirational author Alex Wheatle. He was 62 and had been poorly with prostate cancer.
Alex worked with us on the Education Outreach Programme in 2019, with memorable sessions at Exmouth Community College, King’s School Ottery St Mary, Colyton Grammar and Maynard.
And we were fortunate enough to work with him again, during lockdown. He worked with us to produce a terrifically engaging on-line session which young people were able to access at home. This was subsequently used in teacher training at the University of Plymouth, demonstrating to trainee teachers the power of books in the classroom.
Alex’s inspirational life story was dramatised in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series on the BBC in 2020. An adaptation on his Crongston stories for Young Adults is due to be released on BBC iPlayer next week – a timely tribute to this big hearted and life-affirming author.
We are grateful to have had the opportunity of working with Alex and are thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Posted by Ulrike on 21st March 2025
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