Tameside's Children Show They're Up to the Reading Challenge

THE children of Tameside certainly stepped up to the summer reading challenge. So far, 1,414 have managed to hit the target of reading six library books.

Having collected stickers and rewards along the way, they now qualify for a medal. Those who attend Tameside schools, and finished the challenge by September 16, will also receive a certificate in assembly.

The reading challenge, which was organised by Tameside Libraries in partnership with the Reading Agency, was entitled “Ready, Set, Read!” and had a sports and games theme.

Children could take part at all the borough’s libraries as well as at some of Active Tameside’s Fuel4Fun summer camps.

There were also free, family activities including Bollywood Dance, Lego Robotics, Circus Skills, and drawing workshops, alongside weekly craft activities in libraries. Together, these were attended by 625 children and 342 adults.

Schools also had their own competition, and the top three were Inspire Academy, Ashton; Parochial, Ashton, and St Mary’s, Denton. They will receive special certificates and a prize of books for their libraries.

Tameside Libraries received some great feedback, too. A nine-year-old said: “I really enjoyed the reading challenge. It has encouraged me to read even more and I tried to complete it faster than last year.”

A parent added: “We absolutely loved the summer reading challenge. We enjoyed our trips to the library and every night my son was so excited to settle down and relax with a new book.”

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusion, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to learn that the summer reading challenge was taken up by so many children.

“Reading is such a great thing to do on so many levels. It gives us knowledge, it fires our imaginations and creativity, and it helps us relax and unwind. This year was even better as the theme was ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ which encouraged sports and games to add a physical dimension.

“I send my congratulations to all the children and schools that have taken part. Hopefully, we’ll break the 1,500 barrier by the end of the year when the challenge ends.”