Fun Activities Offer Plenty to Do Over Half-term

IF you love Lynley Dodd’s books about the adventurous Scots terrier Hairy Maclary and his four-legged friends, you’ll love the activity sessions Tameside Libraries have organised for the coming half-term holiday which starts on Monday, May 29.

They’re free and fun and ideal for children aged four to 11, their parents and carers. They take place at Dukinfield, 30 May, 11am to noon; Hattersley, 1 June, 2.15 to 3.15pm; Droylsden, 5 June, 10.30 to 11.30am and Ashton, 9 June, 3 to 4pm.

Half-term will be equally busy at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton, where things start on 29 May with “Day at the Museum” where you can try out the self-led craft activities and a new trailMake, Do and Play sessions, where you can join the resident artist to make something arty and crafty take place on the Tuesday and Thursday of each week of the holiday between 11am and 3pm. Just drop in as you please. There’s a charge of £1.30 per child.

An old friend returns on May 31 when there’s another chance to meet Tommy Atkins and learn about the conditions British soldiers experienced on the Western Front in the First World War, with lots of authentic kit to examine. 11am to 3pm.

No school holiday would be complete in Tameside without family theatre and there are two productions to look forward to.

On 31 May, Booster Cushion Theatre bring the slapstick adventures of “Little Red Riding Hood and Friends” (for the fives and over) and on 7 June Goofus Theatre perform “Carried by the Wind”, a pop-up, playful, non-verbal journey for all ages complete with puppetry, masks and music.

Both take place at the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Trinity Street, Stalybridge, with performances at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets are £3.50 per child, with one accompanying adult free. Call 0161 342 4144 or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/tameside-mbc

This year, half-term overlaps with the Greater Manchester Festival of Libraries and there are three events to choose from.

8 June: “Fishing for Rainbows” – a theatre performance based on the new Oliver Sykes book. For children aged five and over. 11.30 to 12.30am at Droylsden Library.

Beatmaking with Yussuf Maleem: Music and lyric making session for people aged 11 and over. 4 to 5.30pm at Ashton Library.

10 June: Manga Workshop – Creative illustration and writing workshop with experts for people aged 11 and over. 10am to noon and 1 to 3pm at Stalybridge Library.

All three events must be booked in advance at: www.tamesidelibraries.eventbrite.co.uk 

Book Trust Story Time sessions continue at Hyde Library every Wednesday (9.30am) until 14 June. Join staff for a fun story followed by a themed craft activity and nursery rhymes.

At the end of the session you and your children can explore the library and see if you can find the six hidden owls. Your child will receive a sticker book with six stickers to collect. Booking is essential www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/news8

On 3 June, youngsters aged seven to 17 are welcome to join in with our free Coder Dojo coding club at Stalybridge Library (10am to 1pm).

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusivity, said: “Yet again our services have worked together to assemble a wide- ranging programme of fun activities to keep people entertained over the half-term holiday.

 “There’s something to suit all tastes and ages, and mostly for free, including crafts, theatre, music and coding. Whatever the weather there will always be something to do.”