The Reader Organisation is inviting readers of all ages to join them for a packed week of Half Term Hijinks at Calderstones Mansion House, from Monday 17th-Friday 21st February.
Their programme of activities has something for everyone, from under 5s to over 50s, putting reading at the heart of the community. From Monster Monday to Mad Hatter Friday, highlights of the week include:
Tales of the Gruffalo
12-.30pm, Monday 17th Feb.
Cost: £4. Children under 7 and parents/carers
Little monsters are invited to share stories, rhymes, and create their own fearsome creatures!
Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror
3.30-5pm, Tuesday 18th February
Cost: £2. Children aged 10+
Not for the faint hearted – a creative session for scare seekers, with stories guaranteed to give you goosebumps!
The full list is available on The Reader Organisation’s website. Half term also sees the first sessions of a brand new series of weekly shared reading groups for adults and children, including:
Relax with a Book
1-2.30pm, Thursday 20th February and weekly thereafter
Cost: FREE. Adults aged 50+
Spend an afternoon drinking tea, chatting and sharing stories.
Caldies Explorers
3.34-4.45pm, Thursday 20th February
Cost: £2. Children aged 5+.
It’ll be raining cats and dogs in this half term special of the weekly group for intrepid explorers.
The current programme of free shared reading groups at the Mansion House is already oversubscribed, so these new groups are a welcome addition to The Reader Organisation’s activity at Calderstones. The doors have been open since May last year and there is currently an average of 100 visitors per week. The opening of the Reader Café later this spring will provide the opportunity for even more people to get involved and find out more about the project.
Sophie Povey, Reader Places Manager, said:
“After the success of our last half term project in October, we’re delighted to announce that Half Term Hijinks will become a permanent fixture in the Calderstones calendar, with a week of fun and reading in store for the February break.
This is just the beginning of a long list of exciting development to look forward to over the coming months at Calderstones. We are currently in negotiations to sign a 125 year lease and although we’re not quite planning that far ahead yet, we can promise another Shakespearean summer, the opening of the gallery as a rental pop-up space, the Reader Café, and much more.”
Booking is required for all the Half Term sessions. For more information, visit www.thereader.org.uk/connect-at-calderstones/half-term-hijinks, email roisinhyland@thereader.org.uk or call 0151 724 5000.
Event Information:
Monster Monday – 7th February
Book at Breakfast 10-11.30am Age: Adults Price: FREE
Tales of the Gruffalo 12-1.30pm Age: 0-7 years Price: £4
Dirk Lloyd the Dark Lord 2-3.30pm Age: 7+ Price: £4
Terrifying Tuesday – 18th February
Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror 3.30-5pm Age: 10+ Price: £2
Pirate Wednesday – 19th February
Pirate Picnic 1-3pm Age: 5+ Price: £7 including lunch and craft
Get Into Reading: An Introduction 6-7.30pm Age: Adults Price: FREE
Cat vs. Dog Thursday – 20th February
I wish I was a Dog 10-11.30am Age: 0-5 years Price: £2
Relax with a Book 1-2.30pm Age: 50+ Price: FREE
Caldies Explorers *Special Edition* 3.45-4.45pm Age:5+ Price: £2
Mad Hatter Friday – 21st February
Tiny Reads *Launch* 10-11am Age: 0-5 years Price: FREE
A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 1-2.30pm Age: 5+ Price: £5
All children under 5 must be accompanied by a parent or carer.
