Added on Tuesday 5 Jun 2012

More than 100 excited local children and 200 grown-ups enjoyed a "fantastic, magical" reading of The Gruffalo in the Children's Wood at North Kelvin Meadow - the waste ground beside Clouston Street rescued by residents and turned into a vital community asset.

The North Kelvin Meadow campaign is fighting an attempt by developers to turn the space into a housing scheme, and this hugely popular "Festival Fringe event" showed the strength of community support for their effort. West End actor Tam Dean Burn read the story in brilliant style while the Gruffalo himself - actually journalist and author Ian Black ("it was very hot inside that costume") also put in a scary appearance.

A spokesman for the North Kelvin Meadow campaign said: "A special thanks to Emily, the home bakers, and all of the many local people who stepped up on the day to give a much needed helping hand serving coffee, cakes and clearing up afterwards.

"We'd also like to thank Bethemed Designs for their prize of a canvas for a child's room. Mothercare for book and token and Ae Fond Kiss for a brush and spade.

"These were given away as prizes in our raffle and quiz and were donated free by these companies."

"For those interested in planting and litter picking help at the Meadow we still have the regular meet on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm."

Meanwhile for anyone who missed the fun there will be a reading of the Gruffalo Child on Sunday, June 24 from 2pm till 4pm.

For further information about North Kelvin Meadow events, and the campaign to save the Meadow, contact organisers [email protected]