More activities planned in Tameside for the National Year of Reading

TAMESIDE Libraries are continuing the National Year of Reading celebrations by hosting a vibrant programme of activities and events for residents to enjoy.

Exciting highlights include a big book quiz and a short story writing competition, offering fun ways for everyone to get involved.

The World Book Night big book quiz will be held at Ashton Library, OL6 6BH on Thursday 23 April from 6pm-7:30pm. The literature themed quiz is for both teams and individuals, with prizes to be won.

It is free to enter, and anyone interested can simply turn up on the day.

For National Share-a-Story Month, the short story writing competition encourages Tameside’s young writers to write their own fairy tale and submit short stories with the chance to become published authors on BorrowBox.

The theme is ‘Once Upon a Story’, so the competition is looking for fantasy stories, from wizards to fairies to goblins. There are three different age categories with a limit of 500 words.

The deadline is Friday 1 May, with the winners being announced by the end of May. The winner in each category will have their short story published as an e-book and e-audiobook for everyone in Greater Manchester with a library card.

Entries are open now and can be made at: https://forms.gle/TUYzQrBRfU71pDRf6.

The 2026 National Year of Reading aims to celebrate and foster a love of books and reading. This year’s theme is to ‘Go All In’, encouraging people to read about whatever interests them most.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson said: “It’s wonderful to see our National Year of Reading celebrations continuing with even more fun activities designed to encourage creativity and reading for pleasure.

“Whether you’re testing your knowledge in the book quiz or creating your own fairy tale for the short story competition, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“I encourage everyone across Tameside to get involved, have fun, and discover the joy that reading can bring.”

For any questions, please contact information.direct@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 4000.