A group of young entrepreneurs launched their fictional children’s book on Tuesday 20th November. Idiom, a Young Enterprise company based within Dumfries High School in Dumfries and Galloway launched ‘Bonnie the Beltie’ – a fictional story about their main character, a Belted Galloway cow named Bonnie, as she searches across Dumfries and Galloway for her brother ‘Ben the Beltie’
Buy Bonnie The Beltie Online
The book has been written by two members of the company, Leoni Bunyan and Megan Kerr – who are fifth year students at Dumfries High School. The girls combined their creative minds and spent countless hours brainstorming, editing and finalising the book. The young entrepreneurs received illustrative support from a local author, Jon Crawford, based in Lockerbie, who illustrated the book to an exceptional quality. Local authors, Tony Bonning and Jayne Baldwin also supported the young people in the writing process.
The S5 and S6 pupils hosted a corporate launch event for over 100 invited guests, including leaders in local business, official dignitaries, and a range of people who had supported the high school pupils in setting up and running a real business! Managing Director Lyle Hamilton said “the event was a massive success, the dedication and time given to the company by the 11 members of Idiom is remarkable, with all of them also sitting Scottish Qualification Authority Higher Courses.
“Running a business is no easy task for anyone – and these young people’s drive, passion and commitment is to be highly commended” said their Link Teacher, Natalie Hamblin. Idiom has tapped into the ever-growing tourism market that brings £11 billion in revenue to Scotland annually.
Idiom has partnered with 8 different, diverse tourist attractions across Dumfries and Galloway: Laggan Outdoor Centre, Galloway Cricket Club, The Cocoa Bean Company, Galloway Activity Centre, Queen of the South FC, Dino Park, The Usual Place and Moat Brae (JM Barrie’s Birthplace). As well as receiving support from Dumfries Community Radio, Solway Print, and Dumfries and Galloway Council. “The young entrepreneurs have been proactive in reaching out for support and have done so in a professional manner.” Natalie Hamblin also commented.
The Young Enterprise Company Programme is designed to throw young people into the deep end of the business world – challenging them to run their own limited company in a supported and nurtured environment. Educating them on the world of business from the inside – guiding them to develop their product, market it properly, sell to the public & work and function as a real organisation. Company Accountant Jenna Reid said “When I leave school I want to go into accountancy, and being a part of Idiom has allowed me to gain experience working as an accountant which will be really helpful when I leave”
Bonnie the Beltie can be bought by contacting Idiom directly on Facebook and Instagram @IdiomDHS or by emailing the company [email protected] for only £4.99 (plus P&P.)
In addition, copies can be purchased online by visiting YE Marketplace – Young Enterprise’s official online sales platform for the Company Programme – and searching for Idiom.
