Book lovers of all ages came together to mark World Book day in Knowsley.
The day was also a chance to look back on 12 months of exciting projects which took place across schools, libraries, community centres and workplaces during the National Year of Reading 2008.
Huyton Gallery hosted a celebration event for Knowsley Library Service’s Creative Writing competition, which was open to budding authors of all ages.
Entrants were faced with the tough challenge of putting together a short story exactly 50 words in length, which had to have a beginning, a middle and an end. This year’s judge was Sarah Maclennan, Creative Writing lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, and Co-ordinator of the Dead Good Poets Society - an arts organisation that promotes live literature events in Merseyside.
Sarah said “It was an honour to be invited to judge this year’s Creative Writing competition. The high standard of work made it difficult to pick the overall winners. It’s great to see people from the community becoming involved and trying their hand at creative writing.”
St Columba’s Catholic Primary School on Hillside Road, Huyton, rolled out the red carpet for Chief Fire Officer Tony McGuirk and Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe who came into school to read to the children.
Tony, McGuirk, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, said:
“I’m delighted to have been invited into the school to meet the children and provide a reading. The Service has strong links in local communities and our firefighters work regularly in schools promoting fire safety and good behaviour.”
Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "It's a great opportunity for me to come here today and read to the children. The ability to read is a key to living a successful life. Without the ability to read, so much knowledge is unavailable. I hope anyone of any age who cannot read finds this day motivates them to start that journey of learning to read and enjoying books."
Meanwhile, a celebration event took place at Huyton Library, looking back over the events which took place during 2008, the National Year of Reading. Many of these were so successful that they will be continued into 2009 as part of the council’s Reading for Life commitment.
During 2008, the projects included:
- Mini libraries set up in all Children’s Centres, full of colourful, fun books that young children love to read. The libraries also stock books for parents, making it easier than ever for mums, dads and children to enjoy reading together.
- The Six Book Challenge – Inspiring new readers to read more books by committing to read six in a set timescale. This was such a success it will be running again this year, as will the Summer Reading Challenge which encouraged people to read books on holiday.
- Around Knowsley in 80 Reads – Six poets visited 80 venues across the borough in one day, taking poetry recital to whoever they found in places as unusual and varied as Knowsley Safari Park, supermarkets, Jaguar car plant, dentists and bakeries!
- Magical Tales – Knowsley Arts and Museum Service worked with 13 primary schools across the borough to look at the artwork that brings children’s books to life – and gave children the chance to try illustrating their favourite reads for themselves.
- Bedtimes stories – Schools including St Columba’s held pyjama parties so children could share their favourite bedtime tales.
- Books for health – A partnership between libraries and local health professionals to supply books on mental health issues for users of health centres and residential homes to borrow to help them better manage their health conditions.
Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for children and Family Services at Knowsley Council, said: “Reading is an essential skill for life, but it is also something that people of all ages can get so much enjoyment from.
“Our events as part of the National Year of Reading helped encourage people to read more and to improve their reading skills. It showed people that creative writing and poetry can be really enjoyable, and be inspired by even the most unusual of subjects.
“As a council we are committed to giving people more opportunities to reap the benefits of reading. We recently opened a new library in Halewood, and we have received funding for a Family Reading Matters co-ordinator, who will help many more families discover the joy of reading together.”
Tony, McGuirk, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officerwith children from St Columba’s Primary School, Huyton
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