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Saturday 10 May - Sunday 1 June A vibrant three week festival of events and activities for children of all ages at venues across Reading!
Your handy guide to what’s happening...
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Take a Children’s Festival at any of our special events and use the hashtag to be in with a chance of winning one of our special anniversary prizes!
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Every effort was made to ensure that the details in this publication were correct at the time of going to print. However, Reading Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any changes, amendments or cancellation of events or activities listed, nor any inaccuracies that may have been printed in error. Adverse weather conditions may cause some events to be cancelled, relocated or rescheduled. If in doubt, you are strongly advised to confirm details with venues before leaving home.
This year’s festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with three fun packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough. The festival gets off to an action packed start with Meadow Madness on Saturday 10 May, where there will be something for everyone to get involved with on the day, Reading’s Children’s Festival promises to bring plenty of fun, mayhem and madness. From sport and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, take your pick from the many exciting events taking place at venues across Reading.
Use this diary as your guide to making sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, and remember many of these activities are free!
For enquiries relating to this publication, call 0118 937 2771.
www.facebook.com/ReadingChildrensFestival @Reading_CF
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Meadow Madness
Free
Saturday 10 May, 11am-4pm Christchurch Meadows. George Street, (Reading Bridge) Supported by
Meadow Madness Arena Schedule 11am 11.30am 12noon 12.30pm 12.50pm 1.20pm 1.40pm 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 3.30pm
Willy Wonka Magic Show Storytime with Waterstones SHINE performance Diddi Dance Taster Session Beatroots Bateria Storytime with Waterstones Willy Wonka Magic Show Cloudglider Theatretrain Cloudglider The Small Strings
Meadow Madness returns for the eleventh year running as the launch event to Reading Reading Children’s Festival 2014 This fantastic riverside setting is the perfect venue for kids to have fun in. It has the added value of a play area and loads of green space to run around in. Attractions on the day will include children’s entertainment and workshops, charity and 04
information stalls, tombolas, refreshments, face painting, arts and crafts, balloon modelling and that’s not all. This year’s event as part of the silver anniversary celebrations will feature a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory theme with extra special silver tickets spread throughout the site – find one of these bring it to the information desk and receive your special prize!
Enjoy rolling around in a Land Zorb Ball. These balls are easily managed in an inflatable track and are coming to Meadow Madness to ensure you a real barrel of laughs.
For the ultimate sugar high watch out for our Giant Candy Canes who will be wandering the site. Feared by dentists… irresistible to the sweet tooth, entertainment just doesn’t come any sweeter than this!
Come along to the Readipop pagoda and find out more information about Readipop’s projects also take part in the ukulele workshop running throughout the day.
Join in the fun at the ‘Larger than Life’ Explorer workshop running throughout the day. Try your hand at juggling, uni-cycling, hand-held stilts, diabolos, spinning plates and even walking the tight-wire.
The MAD Academy will run four free 15 minute taster sessions for kids combining music and dance with carefully structured learning. Sessions will run at 12.15pm (walkers to 4 years), 1.15pm (Babies and crawlers), 2.15pm (Walkers – 4 years) and 3.15pm (walkers to 4 years). Sessions can be booked on the day or in advance on 0118 977 0050.
There will be some ‘Scrumdiddleyumptious’ fun with our very own ‘Willie Wonka’ style magician. Watch out for Oompa Loompa’s, growing candy canes and sweet making ...by Magic ! Come and visit the mobile zoo, where you can learn all about a range of animals (including an extra friendly meercat). Join the zoo keepers as they explain all about the animals and let you meet and pet them. Find out what they do to ensure they survive and thrive for future generations to admire and enjoy.
The jelly crew will be making extra special silver anniversary crowns, come along and decorate your crown and feel like a King or Queen for the day.
Be entertained by Cloudglider who will be performing in the arena during the afternoon at 2pm and 3pm. They will perform a whole host of favourite songs to entertain the whole family!
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Join Theatretrain in the main arena at 2.30pm who will perform some highlights from their 2014 show. Join Reading Football Club for some skills coaching throughout the day, they will also have some give-aways, a football freestyler, and a special appearance from Kingsley & Queensley Royal! 05
Look out for the Reading Refugee Support Group’s tipi where you can take part in African Drumming sessions throughout the day! Also join CTC the National Cycling Charity who will be providing bikes, trikes and disabled bikes for anyone to come and have-a-go! There will also be a chance to try bike polo and take part in a very special bike treasure hunt, with prizes for all those who take part. Visit the Diddi Dance marquee where you can take part in a 20 minute taster session at 12.30pm in the arena, and 1.30pm, 2.30pm or 3.30pm in their marquee. Diddi Dance is a funky pre-school dance class for girls and boys, the only pre-school dance programme to explore 14 different dance styles! Reading Borough Libraries will be on hand with a special ‘Meadow Madness’ bookstart goodies and freebies.
Also joining in the fun on the day will be the Citrus Studio, League of Friends of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading Sea Cadets, Reading Fostering and Adoption Team and Campaign for Real Events. And as if that’s not enough, there will also be a BBQ, children’s funfair rides, free face painting and free balloon modelling all day long! So why not pack up a picnic and make a day of it? We look forward to seeing you there! 0118 937 2771 www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/readingchildrensfestival or twitter www.twitter.com/reading_cf
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Why not get arty with Green Theme Craft who will be there all day helping you to make clay animal sculptures on the day.
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Reading Arts Inspector Sands – Rock Pool
Saturday 10 & Sunday 18 May, 11am South Street A crustacean version of Waiting for Godot. For children. When a big storm whips up the sea, two very different creatures are left stranded in an isolated rock pool, far from the open water. As their little pool starts to drain away, Prawn and Crab don’t have long to find a way of getting on and getting home. Funny, tender, exuberant, partially submerged theatre from award-winning company Inspector Sands. Featuring rock music and splashy dancing! For children ages 3 and up (and their adults) ‘They are brilliant and reckless, precise and inventive, intelligent and frank. They are kaleidoscopic creators. Commissioned by Farnham Maltings and Arts Partnership Surrey in association with Take Art and supported by Arts Depot and South Street Reading. Tickets £9 All tickets are inclusive of booking fee 0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com
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Scooby Doo: The Mystery Of The Pyramid
Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 June Thurs, Fri & Sat 6.30pm plus 2.30pm Sat Matinee Sun 1pm & 4.30pm The Hexagon Zoinks... book early for best seats! Scooby-Doo and the gang are back by popular demand and with even more Spooky Mystery and fun - this time in the Pyramids - Warner Bros.’ Cartoon Classic Comes to Life! Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne arrive in Egypt where they must solve the mystery of Pharaoh Hatchepsout’s Pyramid. Easy, you say?... Not if the gang has to deal with mysterious mummies plus the wrath of the Pharaoh who will transform anyone who dares to approach the pyramid... into stone! With hilarious physical comedy, popular tunes and special effects, the whole family will enjoy this new episode live on stage. Tickets £21.50, U16s £16.50, Family of Four (Max 2 Adults) £66, Groups 10+ £15.20 plus 1 in 10 free 0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com Images: TM & Copywright Hanna-Barbera. WB Shield: TM & Copywright Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Angelina Ballerina - The Mousical
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Friday 18 July - Sunday 20 July Fri 4.30pm, Sat 11am, 2pm, 4.30pm, Sun 11am, 2pm, 4.30pm The Hexagon
eh T The Sooty Show
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Everyone’s favourite little star, Angelina Ballerina, pirouettes onto the stage in her brand new musical - a magical show packed full of singing and dancing. Angelina and her friends think their dreams have come true when Camembert Academy wins the opportunity to appear in their favourite television programme ‘Dancing With Mice!’. But when the girls and boys have very different ideas for the show and just can’t seem to agree on anything, it’s up to Angelina as Dance Captain to ensure that the show goes ahead. So put on your ballet shoes and join Angelina, Alice, Gracie, Viki, AJ and Marco for the most stupendous Mousical of the year! ‘Terrific! Energetic performances, a great set design, lovely songs. Top class family entertainment.’ Nottingham Evening Post Tickets: £14.50, Family of four (max. 2 adults): £44.80 Groups 10+ and Schools : £10.20 0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com 08
Tuesday 29 July, 11am & 2.30pm The Hexagon Izzy Wizzy Lets get busy – Its The Sooty Show! Direct from Citv, Sooty heads into town in a fabulous new show to delight the whole family. Joining the nations favourite bear will be Sweep , Soo and Sooty’s TV Partner Richard Cadell -who will be attempting to keep Sooty from getting up to mischief! Boy will he have his hands full! It’s Sooty’s Birthday party and things aren’t going to plan. Sooty and Sweep get messy baking the Birthday cake and will Soo ever decide which dress to wear? Special party guests include legendary Sooty favourites Butch the bulldog and Ramsbottom the snake. So join in with all the fun and games at Sooty’s Birthday Party! There’s also a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show. A spectacular mix of magic , music and mess- guaranteed giggles for Sooty Fans old and new! Don’t miss it! Tickets £14, Under 16s £11.20, Family of 4: £42.80 0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com
Join the fun at Reading Libraries Roald Dahl Day
Drop In Art Club
Free Thursday 15, 22, 29 May, 3.30pm – 4.30pm Whitley Library, 205 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PX Free
Saturday 10 May, 2pm – 4pm Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ We will be celebrating 50 years of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Drop in between 2pm to 4pm for Charlie activities and cake!!
Free
Thursday 15 May, 2.15pm – 2.45pm Whitley Library, 205 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PX A lively story & craft session where experienced members of staff will read to children & bring all sorts of creatures to life! Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 5 years and under 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 5 – 11 years. 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
Games Club
Free
Friday 16, 23, 30 May, 3.30pm – 4.30pm Whitley Library, 205 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PX
Suitable for all ages 0118 901 5950 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
A Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytime & Activities
This is an after school art club for children aged from 5 – 11 to create art.
Drop in games club – come along and join in with board games such as Chess, Jenga, Ludo and many more! Free event, booking recommended Suitable for all ages 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
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Red Riding Hood Storytime & Activities Session
Free
Thursday 22 May, 2.15pm – 2.45pm Whitley Library, 205 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PX
Thursday 29 May, 2.15pm – 2.45pm Whitley Library, 205 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7PX
Fun storytime and activities session.
Thursday 29 May, 10.30am – 11.30am Southcote Library, Coronation Square, Southcote, RG30 3BA Come along and make your own bracelets. Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 6 + 0118 901 5109 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries 10
Free
Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 5 years and under 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries Free
Beautiful Bugs!
Free
Friday 30 May 10.30am – 11.30am Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ
A storytime and activity session for under-fives where experienced members of staff will read to children and bring all sorts of characters to life!
Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 5 years and under 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
Making Bracelets
Gruffalo Storytime And Activity Session
Free
Festival Masks
Friday 30 May, 3.00pm – 4.00pm Battle Library, 420 Oxford Street, RG30 1EE
Come along to our craft session and make beautiful bugs.
Come along to our festival mask making craft event
Free event Suitable for children aged 6 years + 0118 901 5950 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
Free event, booking recommended Suitable for all ages 0118 901 5101 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries Free
Spaceship Mobile Making!
Friday 30 May, 10.30am – 11.30am Whitley Library, 420 Northumberland Ave, RG2 7PX Craft activity for 5 – 11 year olds. Free event, booking recommended Suitable for children aged 5 – 11 years. 0118 901 5115 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries
selfie #Reading_CF
Take a Children’s Festival at any of our special events and use the hashtag to be in with a chance of winning one of our special anniversary prizes!
AT&T
take a selfie!
Make Wonderful Paper Birds!
Free
Free
Saturday 31 May, 10am – 11am Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomew’s Road, RG1 3QB Come along and make some wonderful paper birds. Free event, booking recommended Suitable for ages 5 years + (with parental help) 0118 901 5106 www.reading.gov.uk/libraries Reading Libraries also run regular rhymetimes and storytimes throughout the year. To find out more about these free fun sessions contact your local library. 11
Reading Museum
Second World War Schoolroom Experience
May Half Term Don’t Miss Our Bank Holiday Monday Opening! Activity Cart
Visit us throughout the holidays and enjoy a range of craft activities. Free, drop in*
Free
Soldiers and Spitfires
Tuesday 27 May, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm Take inspiration from our Reading at War exhibition and create your own special bravery medal and simple model aeroplane. Ages 5+, Families, £3, pay on the day, drop in*
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Tuesday 27 May, 11.30am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm What were schooldays like over 70 years ago? To mark our exhibition, Reading at War, we will be running a special wartime version of our unique schoolroom experience. Ages 5+, £1 per person, drop in (35 places max per session)*
Reading Detectives Launch Day Wednesday 28 May
Join us to celebrate the launch of a new book by local publishers Two Rivers Press. Reading Detectives features fun walking trails around Reading with questions to solve by paying careful attention to clues found on buildings, statues and shop-fronts. Create your own super sleuth disguise in our drop-in craft session, and then meet the author before heading off into town to complete the trail wearing your disguise!
Make and Take: Detectives in Disguise
Families, half-hour sessions between 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm £1, pay on the day, drop in*
Reading Detectives: Meet the Author
*Our drop-ins are very popular. Please be aware that we have limited capacity for activities in the Museum.
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0118 937 3400 www.readingmuseum.org.uk
£1
A chance to purchase the new Reading Detectives book at a special discounted rate and meet the author, Kerry Renshaw. Don’t forget to bring your completed trail back to the Museum to pick up your Detective certificate. Families, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3pm Free, drop in*
Free
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Beat The Street
Thursday 1 May – Wednesday 4 June Across Reading
Free
Help Reading reach for the moon! Join the whole town and take part in a fun walking game from 1 May-4 June 2014. Everyone is invited. Reading needs you to help walk or cycle together 238,857 miles – the distance from Reading to the moon! Win spot prizes for you and your team, have fun and get moving. One small step for you, one giant leap for Reading! This initiative is run by the NHS North and West and South Reading Clinical Commissioning Groups and is supported by Reading Borough Council
How To Play
Pick up a Beat the Street card from your local GP practice, library, museum or Reading Borough Council Leisure Centre from week commencing 22 April. You can register there as well as online for yourself or as part of a team in order to be in with a chance to win a whole host of prizes. 14
Swipe your card against a Beat Box fitted to 130 lamp posts across Reading from 1 May (Beat Boxes only active from 1 May) find another and repeat! The Beat Boxes will be situated in areas throughout Reading, from Whitley to Caversham, the Town Centre to Tilehurst, East to West Reading. Go between Beat Boxes by walking or cycling, swipe your card and each journey takes Reading closer to the moon. Registered cards can win a spot prize with a lucky swipe. For further info or to follow your progress visit www.reading. beatthestreet.me alternatively see coverage in the Reading Post. Any questions or to set up a team with your school, community group or business email team@beatthestreet.me Follow us on Twitter @BeattheStreet
Shine Free Taster Session, Apollo Musical Presentation Singing, Street Dance & Acting Saturday 10, 17, 24 May and 1 June, 10am – 1pm St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5JT
Free
Parents are welcome to bring their children down to SHINE any Saturday during Reading Children’s Festival for a FREE taster session. They will enjoy 1 hour of singing, 1 hour of dance and 1 hour of drama. Free event, booking recommended. Suitable for ages 4 – 12 years 0791 228 9777 www.shineperformingarts.co.uk
Thursday 22 May, 5pm Apollo Club, Mapp Centre, 22 Mount Pleasant, RG1 2TD The children from Apollo present for one night only Oliver, the musical. Entry: £1.50, booking recommended 0118 916 8416 info@apolloyouthclub.org.uk
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Spring Into Action This Half Term With Reading Sport & Leisure
Wheelie Fun
Palmer Park Sports Stadium Tuesday 27 May, 10.30 – 11.30am Wednesday 28 May, 10.30 – 11.30am Thursday 29 May, 10.30 - 11.30am Spring into Action on your bike! Children can learn a number of cycling skills in the safe environment of the velodrome, with qualified instructors. A range of adaptable and balance bikes will be available to cater for all ability levels, or bring your own bike!
Footy Fun
Palmer Park Sports Stadium Thursday 29 & Friday 30 May Mini Soccer: 5 - 7 years 10am - 12noon £6 per day Soccer Skills: 8 - 12 years 10am - 3pm £12 per day To book onto any of the courses please contact Palmer Park Sports Stadium Tel: 0118 937 5080
Bounce Around for £1*
Slide Sessions*
Central Swimming Pool Every Wednesday, 4pm – 5pm, Child £2.85 (£2.50 with YRP) Enjoy zooming down our inflatable slide and plunging into the pool!
£1
Meadway Sports Centre Great fun for under 5’s, enjoy fun on the bouncy castle, softplay shapes and arts & crafts. Every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays), 9.30 – 11.30am
Splash Around for £1
Ages: 3 to 16 years, £2.50 per session
Bubbles*
Central Swimming Pool Bubbly fun in the pool, we provide pool games and toys along with underwater obstacles for you to negotiate and improve your underwater swimming skills. Every Friday, 7.00 – 8.00pm, Adult £5.00, Child £3.00, under 3’s free Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied in the pool by and adult aged 16+ years.
*These sessions run all year round (excluding Bank Holidays)
Your local RSL centres: Arthur Hill Pool & Fitness Studio Kings Road 0118 937 5055 Central Swimming Pool Battle Street 0118 937 5070 Highdown Sports Centre Surley Row, Caversham 0118 937 5095
£1
Arthur Hill Pool & Fitness Studio & Meadway Sports Centre Splash-tastic fun in the pool, all our Splash sessions are just £1.00. Pick up an RSL swim timetable for session details. Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied in the pool by and adult aged 16+ years.
Meadway Sports Centre Conwy Close, Tilehurst 0118 937 5060 Palmer Park Sports Stadium Wokingham Road 0118 937 5080
www.readingleisure.co.uk
European Cycle Challenge 1 – 31 May Across Reading
Reading will be taking part in the European Cycle Challenge between 1st and 31st May, along with 31 other towns and cities, including Barcelona, Bologna, Bristol, Groningen and Oslo. Track your journeys with the free Endomondo App, or via the website, and challenge other European cities. The City that “rides” the longest total distance wins! The Challenge is open to all people living in participating cities, or travelling to/from those cities for work, study or other reasons.
Free
A number of cycle activities are being organised to support the Challenge, including neighbourhood rides, bike polo sessions, bike breakfasts and Dr Bike sessions. Why not come along for a neighbourhood led-ride aimed at families, including refreshments and bike polo. Rides will take place from: • • • •
Prospect Park to Mapledurham Lock Palmer Park to Dinton Pastures Christchurch Meadows Treasure Hunt/Ride South Reading WhitFest Ride
More information, including prizes, will be available at the following website. www.reading.gov.uk/events 17
Family Tree Walk
Free
Saturday 24th May, 10.30am -12noon Forbury Gardens Do you know what a handkerchief tree is? Have you ever been round a mulberry bush? Reading Tree Wardens invite you to a guided Family Tree Walk to learn more about these and other trees in the Forbury Gardens. Then, working with artist Suzanne Stallard, using willow and tissue, you will be able to make floating butterflies and leaf branches inspired by our walking adventure. This event would be suitable for children aged 5-11 who must be accompanied by a parent. Book early as there will be limited numbers. To book: contact rtwn11@gmail.com
change their
Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May jelly ArtPad, 42 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2DE
life&yours...
Monday 26 May, 10.30am-12.30pm Join artist Mark Webber and create your own linocut, you will draw your own design, carve your lino and then print! Suitable for ages 10+ £8 advance booking, £10 on the day
Could you foster?
We need foster carers for Reading children of all ages If you could offer a safe, caring and loving environment, enough space to accommodate an extra child/young person, we would like to hear from you...
0118 937 3740
fosteri n g adoption &
www.reading.gov.uk/fostering
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Half Term At jelly
clihvaenge n s
Help us
Monday 26 May, 1.30pm -3.30pm Join artist Mark Webber and create your own linocut, you will draw your own design, carve your lino and then print! Suitable for ages 10+ £8 advance booking, £10 on the day Tuesday 27 May 10.30am -11.30am The Messy Club and Jelly Tots come together for a half term treat. Come along and join Luisa and Emma making our own arty party. No artist too young! £3 per child under 5. Older siblings are welcome, £4 for 5yrs +
How to Draw like a Fashion Designer
Tuesday 27 May 1.30-3.30pm 8+ years. Inspired by the vintage items showing fashion over the decades from Alexandra Vintage’s collection, designer Emma Bradbury will show techniques to draw and examples for fashion illustration throughout fashion history. £8 advance booking, £10 on the day
Papier Mache Figures
Friday 30 May, 10am-12pm This is a two hour workshop, suitable for ages 5+. jelly artists will help you create your own personalised quirky papier mache figures, from someting based in your own imagination. The workshop is held at the jelly first floor studio at 42 Market Place. Please bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty just in case! £8 advance booking, £10 on the day
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Papier Mache Figures
Friday 30 May, 2-4pm This is a two hour workshop, suitable for ages 5+. Design a picture or pattern and create a mosaic with colourful tiny stones. The workshop is held at the jelly first floor studio at 42 Market Place. Please bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty just in case! £8 advance booking, £10 on the day
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Come & Try Canoeing...
Tuesday 27 May – Sunday 1 June Thameside Promenade, off Richfield Avenue, Caversham
Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May, 10am – 4pm (1hr sessions) Reading Canoe Club, The Warren, Caversham
Thames Rivercruise are offering FREE boat trips for accompanied children aged 0-16 years during the half term week of Children’s Festival on the following trips.
During term time...
Tuesdays, The Messy Club - A special needs drop-in playgroup for 0-5s at Jelly Market Place Reading, every Tuesday at 10.30am – 12.30pm There will be messy play and painting, as well as activities, special guests and music. There will also be the all important coffee and cake available! Come and meet other parents while your children make a mess. Parents, carers, grandparents, siblings – you’re all welcome at The Messy Club, £3 per child
Thames Rivercruise
30 Minute Round Trip Cruises Wednesdays, jelly tots art club, Tuesday 21 – tots and big person collaborate on a masterpiece, 10.30-11.30 Tots go crazy with paint, tissue paper and glue and big person does the fiddley bits. No artist too young! £3 per child under 5. Older siblings are welcome, £4 for 5yrs +
0118 954 8086 www.jelly.org.uk
Departing from Thameside Promenade, Caversham at the following times; 12 noon, 12.45pm and 3.30pm Adult £5.00 / OAP £4.50 / Children go FREE with this brochure*
80 Minute Round Trip Cruises
Free
These ever popular “have a go” sessions return to the children’s festival for 2014. This is your chance to take part in an hour long paddling session. Remember to bring a towel and a change of clothes and sun cream if it’s a sunny day. Free event, Booking essential Suitable for children aged between 9-16 years 0758 078 0961 www.reading-canoe.org.uk
Departing from Thameside Promenade, Caversham at the following times; 2pm and 4.15pm (on some weekdays, the 4.15pm cruise may be substituted with a 30 minute cruise) Adult £8.00 / OAP £7.50 Children go FREE with this brochure* *Children must be accompanied by a full fare paying adult. One child can travel free per full fare paying adult. For more information or to request a brochure please contact Thames Rivercruise. 0118 948 1088 www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk
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Build It And Hunt Challenge Reading Play Playclubs At The Reme Museum Tuesday 28th May – Friday 31st May
Monday 27 May – Friday 31 May, 11am – 3.30pm REME Museum of Technology, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield
Reading Borough Council’s Childcare Team offer Playclubs in and around Reading. They provide a wide range of structured play activities for children through May half term.
Complete this massive museum wide hunt to find our missing object. Plus the ever popular junk modelling “Build It!” will be running.
Venues for these activities are:
Ticket prices – Adult £5; Child £4; Family £15. Under 5s go free. (Prices include entry to museum). Tickets available on the door. Suitable for children of all ages. 0118 976 3375 www.rememuseum.org.uk
Friday 30 May, 10am – 3pm Cintra Park, Cintra Avenue, RG2 7AV
Free
Free football training for 5 – 13 year olds, come along and play football and maximize your skills.
Waterloo Meadows – Katesgrove Children’s Centre, Elgar Rd Highdown, Highdown Academy, Emmer Green,
An emphasis will be put on encouraging effort, flair, teamwork, sportsmanship and most importantly FUN!
Age Range – 4*-11 years 8.30am – 1pm & 1-5.30pm (Full days available) *(4 year olds in full time education)
Bring a packed lunch and drinking water. Free, suitable for ages 5 – 13 years. 0756 418 8086 carol.shepherd@yahoo.co.uk
Full day charge is £20, Short Day £15 and half days £10 either morning or afternoon. For more information and how to book contact 0118 937 2637 or check out the website www.readingplay.co.uk play.development@reading.gov.uk 22
Hexham Strikers Football Training
Daddy’s Drum Club
Free
Saturday 31st May, 10.30am and 11.45am Readipop, 35 Milford Road, Reading, RG1 8LG
As part of Reading Children’s Festival local music & arts
charity Readipop present Daddy’s Drum Club - a rhythm workshop for under 5’s. The session is led by Gavin Lombos who is a dad and has over 15 years experience running Reading’s community samba drumming group Beatroots working with kids and grown ups. Kids will have fun playing lots of drums, singing songs and rhymes and dancing to the beats. The session lasts 40 minutes and all drums are provided. Dads (or mums or other adults) need no drumming experience and all drums are provided. The session is interactive with children and adults playing and singing together. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult, however an adult can bring more than one child but they must remain under their supervision at all times.
Places are limited so contact Readipop to book your places. 0118 938 7156 www.readipop.co.uk 23
Children’s Festival Sports Challenge Day
A special certificate and prize from the Mayor of Reading will be awarded to those who complete the Sports Challenge Day by taking part in four activity sessions
Free
Saturday 31 May, 10am – 3pm Rivermead Leisure Complex, Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ As part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy we have teamed up with Reading Borough Council/ Reading Post/ Reading’s Cultural Partnership and the Reading Sports Awards and a number of local clubs to offer you the chance to try some of the sports FREE of charge.
Every part of the Rivermead will be used, with synchronised swimming in the pool to challenges in the gym. There will be free swimming for children throughout the day when accompanied by a full paying adult. Very young children will be kept entertained at the toddler fun time.
Football, Swimming, Cycling, Basketball, Rugby amongst other sessions have all been laid on for you to get a taste of what training for an Olympic Sport is like! AT&T
The sessions are absolutely free and will be taken by fully qualified coaches from Reading Football Club, Reading Rockets Basketball Club, Reading Royals Synchro Squad, Reading CTC (the National Cycling Charity), Redingensians Rams RFC, Thames Valley Taekwon-Do and Rivermead Leisure Complex and who knows it might be your first step towards to competing in the 2020 games. 24
Some sessions are pre-bookable, please visit www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest for further information or keep an eye out for information in the Reading Post. For more information contact 0118 937 2771 or visit www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest
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Museum Of English Rural Life Village Fete Saturday 31 May, 10am – 4.30pm The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading MERL’s annual Village Fete has a food theme this year. Come along and enjoy the fun! Traditional entertainment including morris dancing, face-painting, silver band as well as cooking demonstrations, games, free family workshop, biscuit bake-off and lots more. Entry: £2.50 in advance, £3 on the door (children free) Drop-in 0118 378 8660 www.reading.ac.uk/merl/whatson
Museum of English Rural Life
Coley Park Children’s Funday
Free
Sunday 1 June, 11am – 4pm Coley Park Recreation Ground , Wensley Road Come along to this annual family fun-day where there will be a whole host of activities for you to take part in. Attractions on the day include; inflatables, refreshments, coconut shy, tombola, ,mobile farm, funfair rides, car boot sale and lots more! 0118 937 5662 Booking required for car boot pitches
Events at Waterstones, The Oracle Short Story Competition 10 May - 1 June
Storytime Fun with Local Author and Radio Presenter Matt Brown
Free
Saturday 7 June 2.30pm
Free
Calling all budding authors - celebrate Reading Children’s Festival with our short story competition! Are you the next John Green, Lauren St. John or David Walliams? Why not try your hand at our short story competition? You could win a £10 Waterstones voucher! There are two age categories: 5-12 years with a 250 word limit and teen, 13-19 years with a 500 word limit. There are no restrictions on topic, theme or style – so let your imagination run wild and the ink flow!
Meet Matt Brown, presenter of Heart Radio Breakfast (Thames Valley) who is launching his new children’s book Compton Valance, The Most Powerful Boy in the Universe – the start of a fantastically funny and delightfully disgusting time travelling adventure series. Come and listen to Matt talking about the new series and reading extracts from the first book, followed by a book signing. The book is recommended for children aged 8 and above. We know this will be a very popular event so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Entries can be emailed to ReadingOracle@waterstones.com or posted in the Short Story Competition Post Box at the till point in Waterstones Reading Oracle. Please write your name, age and contact details on each entry. Good luck! Closing date for this competition is Sunday 1 June 2014.
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Getting Around During Children’s Festival... For an easier, cheaper way of getting around during the Children’s Festival, get the bus! The Reading Buses group ticket has been designed with families in mind – up to four people get unlimited day’s travel in Reading for just £5 on weekends and school holidays! And at all other times, it’s still just £8! Any combination of up to four people can use it, adults, children or both! And remember, under 5’s travel for free. Visit www.reading-buses.co.uk to check out which route you need to get you to all your favourite Children’s Festival events. All Reading Buses vehicles are low-floor and fully accessible with dedicated wheelchairs and buggy bays, so if there is space on the bus, you won’t need to fold down your pushchair or buggy! Don’t forget that Readibus provides an excellent service for people who find it difficult to use public transport. Call them on 0118 931 0000 to book or for details of special excursions, alternatively, visit www.readibus.co.uk
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Reading’s Parks, Playgrounds And Open Spaces Are Great Places To Visit... Reading boasts some beautiful open spaces - some of them in the middle of busy places, others sit on the banks of the river, and with all the play parks as well, they make a great venue for free Children’s Festival entertainment!
Play in the Park
There are over 50 play parks across the borough, ranging from the large play areas at Christchurch Meadows and Palmer Park to small local play parks within housing estates. That means whether you want to pop to the local park or pack up a picnic and make a day of it, there is a park that fits the bill!
The Big Lunch The fifth annual Big Lunch will take place on Sunday 1st June 2014. Led by the Eden Project, The Big Lunch is an initiative to celebrate neighbourliness across the UK by encouraging communities to come together for lunch once a year. Reading communities are being urged to pack a picnic, head to their nearest green space and make friends with each other. Reading people are being encouraged to go to a nearby park or open space, eat together, play together, dance together and get to know one another. For more information on your local park or open space call the parks department on 0800 626 540. www.thebiglunch.com
The full list of these parks can be found by visiting www.reading.gov.uk 29
Reading Scrapstore Reading’s Play Scrapstore is a local resource offering arts and crafts and educational resources for use by local community groups working with children and adults. The scrap has been collected from local business waste material. The materials we collect range from reusable off-cuts, overruns, rejected materials and production process by-products to unwanted finished goods of all sorts. Reading Play membership - Schools £200, Groups £50, Individuals £25 Scrap is priced at £3 per bag and there are also lots of exciting arts and crafts materials in stock which will be priced individually.
AT&T
take a selfie!
selfie #Reading_CF
Take a Children’s Festival at any of our special events and use the hashtag to be in with a chance of winning one of our special anniversary prizes!
Hire
As well as that, we will have a list of items available for hire: • Parachutes • Giant parachutes balls • Basket ball nets • Giant connect 4 • Giant Lego • Face painting kits • Boxes of books • Mini pool/table tennis tables • Circus kit • Sports kit The scrapstore is open every Tuesday 10am – 12pm and Thursday 12-2pm and at other times by appointment. For more details or to arrange a visit, please call Melanie O’Hare on 0118 937 2636.
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1 hour Dance - 1 hour Drama - 1 hour Singing WE ARE CURRENTLY CASTING THE MUSICAL 13 AND WE WOULD WELCOME MORE BOYS TO BE A PART OF THE EXCELLENT TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR ALL
For young people aged 6-18 years Classes for 6-9 Years, 9-12 Years, 13-18 Years
EVERY Saturday between 10am-1pm at the Hill School, Peppard Road, RG4 8TU During School Term Time (incl. half term)
Join Theatretrain NOW and experience many performance and training opportunities, including performances locally, in the West End and abroad! Open to all abilities – no audition necessary Tel: 0118 3750 638 Email: reading@theatretrain.co.uk PATRONS: SIR DEREK JACOBI KBE, ALFRED MOLINA, FRANCES DE LA TOUR, CATHERINE TATE, LUCY DAVIS
www.theatretrain.co.uk
Theatretrain the company that loves to perform
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take a selfie!
www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest