The Big Reader Picnic at Calderstones Park
Written by The Reader, 16th July 2018
Last weekend The Reader welcomed hundreds of people for a scorching picnic in Calderstones Park to celebrate its 10th birthday and the work of everyone who's help us get here.
The celebration included fabulous guest readings from our group members and volunteers, as well as our patron, author and screenwriter, Frank Cottrell Boyce.
The programme included children's and adults' Shared Reading sessions, crafting workshops, face painting, family activities and outdoor heritage tours visiting the park's ancient Calder Stones.
The Reader team also displayed its plans for the Mansion House, a £5m redevelopment project due for completion in Spring 2019, which will see the opening of the world's first International Centre for Shared Reading.
Arriva North West, Make Liverpool and its tenant Puppetuity Puppet Zoo, Merseyside Woodturners Association, Little Sunshine Yoga, plus children's author Leonie Roberts (My Colourful Chameleon), joined the bill with reading, making and doing activities.
The Reader's Knit & Natter Group, which recently yarn-bombed Liverpool Central Library as part of Make Fest, also held craft workshops.
The Reader's founder Jane Davis officially kicked off the picnic feast at midday with a special birthday message - and shared 'literature's most famous picnic scene' from the Wind in the Willows.
We wanted to extend another huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day, and has helped make The Reader, a success.
Listen in to hear Sophie, our Director of Communities and Communications talking to Paul Beesley from BBC Radio Merseyside on the day:
Thanks to Laurence Grant of Myphotosforever for capturing the day. See the full gallery below:
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