A long, long time ago in a small village nestled in the heart of the English countryside, a shy young boy began exploring the world.He was a quiet child with few friends. But the friends he had were good friends, and together they had some great adventures.
He was also lucky enough to have a close and loving family, with three brothers and, joining the flock a little later, a baby sister.But, much as he enjoyed all the commotion and mayhem that comes with three boisterous brothers, he was never happier than when he was alone. Alone and preferably outdoors with the natural world.His companions were the birds in the trees, the bugs on the leaves, the butterflies he learned to identify, the rabbits in the fields behind the house and his vivid imagination.And never far away were his favourite pens and pencils and a drawing pad or notebook in his pocket.This was a time before computers and iPads, mobile phones and XBoxes. A bygone era when there were only three channels on the telly, and you could buy a big bag of sweets for a few pennies.But this was also a time that taught him to be creative. To appreciate the comfort, peace, joy and achievement that could be found with a few pencils and a colouring book.And he grew up reading stories of woodland creatures, adventure on the high seas and fantasies of elves and goblins hiding deep in the forests waiting to play tricks on hapless passers-by.And even now, with his rather more grizzled features and his size 9 1/2 walking boots, he still checks under the footbridge for trolls as he tramps across the Scottish Highlands in all weathers—just in case.And to this day, a time of screens and keyboards, taps and swipes, he still prefers to use pen and paper for his daily notes. And sometimes, just for a while, it helps him escape from the mind-boggling, eye-straining, intense, crazy, technological world we live in.I’m Bruce, and after long believing that I was weird, different and a lone wolf, I’ve finally come to realise that I’m not alone in this world.Creativity comes in many forms, and it’s not all about the computer genius and the video superstar.At a time when children are issued tablets and laptops at school, they still need to learn to read and write first, and that means using pens and pencils, right? They still need to learn the basics of language and arithmetic. And don’t they still LOVE colouring?For adults, studies have shown that colouring can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and boost creativity.And who doesn’t prefer to write notes and messages, birthdays and appointments on a calendar on the wall sooner than an impersonal iPhone app? Welcome to Pentastica. A place where the young and the young at heart can live out some of their fantasies with nothing more than a few coloured pens and a great imagination. A place of fun, creativity, a few mental challenges and nothing but happiness and positivity!