Council Unveils Summer Family Activities

TAMESIDE Council’s programme of activities for the summer holidays includes all the features families have come to know and love: Theatre in the Park; fun sessions at Portland Basin Museum, and the Summer Reading Challenge.

Libraries have been first off the mark, launching the Summer Reading Challenge in partnership with the Reading Agency and the Tameside Loves Reading campaign on 6 July. There’s a special mini-challenge for pre-schoolers too.

This year’s theme is Marvellous Makers. As ever it’s open to children aged four to 11 who are library members. They are asked to read six books and qualify for smelly stickers and other rewards along the way.

Everyone who completes the challenge receives a medal and certificate. Those who finish it by 21 September will be entered into a draw for reading goody bags and Active Tameside vouchers.

To join Tameside Libraries, sign up for the challenge, or find out about the free Summer Reading Challenge activity sessions taking place during August, visit your local library. You can also find information at www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/src

The programme starts with “The Crew” in Hyde Park on Wednesday 7 August; followed by Kevin Tickle’s Dogs at King George V Playing Fields, Ashton, on Monday 12 August; “Goldilocks and the Three Bears Plus” in Mossley Park on Thursday 22 August and “Space Chickens” at Hollingworth Primary School on Tuesday 27 August and at Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw, on Wednesday 28 August.

Tickets are offered on a pay what you can basis and will be available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/tameside-mbc

Running alongside is a series of outdoor art workshops – Naturemakers: Behold and Wonder, Denton Park, Thu 8 August, noon to 4pm; Mushrooms and Pirate Adventures, King George Playing Fields, Ashton, Mon 12 August, 10am to 3.30pm; Experimental Marvellous Makers, Werneth Low, Wed 21 August, 11am to 3pm; Wild Wild Woods, Castle Clough, Stalybridge, Tue 27 August, 11am to 3pm.

Portland Basin Museum, Ashton, is again hosting its popular Make, Do and Play sessions – each with its own theme – every Tuesday and Thursday in August (11am to 3pm) at a cost of £1.35 per child.

My Museum Day takes place on Thursday 22 August when there will be a range of activities across the picturesque canalside site.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for culture, heritage, participation and sport, said: “Yet again the council’s various teams have compiled a superb programme of activities – indoors and out – that offers something for everyone, no matter what age, interest or ability.

“These events offer a great chance for families to have some very enjoyable days out whatever the weather.”

For full details of all the summer holiday activities, including places, times and booking details, visit www.intameside.co.uk/whats-on