Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham has voiced for the comic art form on World Book Day, ahead of the upcoming Barrow Does Comics event next month.
She’s in good company, with Bunny vs Monkey creator Jamie Smart feted this week by No. 10 – he got to meet Larry the Cat, too! – and other MPs supporting the medium, such as Tim Farron, a longtime supporter of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
“Stories are incredible,” Michelle says. “They take you to a different world and make you see things about yourself and others you wouldn’t otherwise.
“On World Book Day – when school kids across the country might be dressing up as their favourite characters – we need to remember how valuable having access to stories is.
“I loved the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis when I was growing up. My favourite book was The Magician’s Nephew because it’s where it all begins – the creation of Narnia. And it’s got a flying horse, so what’s not to like! Then, when I had my own kids, I got a gorgeous, colourful book of all the Narnia stories so we could read them together.
“Barrow has a really exciting event coming up too – ‘Barrow Does Comics’ on Saturday 18th April, in partnership with Lakes International Comic Art Festival and aimed at 16–25 year olds and happening alongside Festival of Colour.
“Comics are making stories more accessible to those who have special educational needs, or who may not have English as their first language. So watch this space…”
I’ve always wanted to look round inside Number 10, it was fascinating. Had such a great day!”
Barrow Does Comics
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, working in partnership with Barrow Business Improvement District recently announced Barrow Does Comics on Saturday 18th April 2026 – a new event aimed at aimed at young comic fans and creators, particularly 16 to 25 year olds.
Barrow Does Comics is just part of LICAF’s dynamic, year-round programme of international comic art activity with the over-arching theme of “Comics Can Change the World”. LICAF is also an active supporter of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Away from Barrow, LICAF’s main festival itself will be returning to Kendal Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th October 2026, after being hosted in Bowness-on-Windermere since 2022.
The returning Festival, and Barrow Does Comics, will operate alongside continued projects exploring how comics can improve literacy, health and wellbeing, including work at HMP Haverigg, piloted last year.
• Look out for more Barrow Does Comics news on the LICAF Facebook Page
• Follow Barrow Does Comics on Instagram @barrowdoescomics
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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