Get Into Reading’s Big Birthday Bash!

As you're already aware, this month has been Sep10ber at The Reader Organisation - marking ten years since the start of Get Into Reading. We've been celebrating throughout the past few weeks, and today the jubilation is coming to a head as we hold our big birthday party.

Get Into Reading's 10th Anniversary Party is taking place this afternoon from 4-6pm in Wirral - the birthplace of Get Into Reading - and it promises to be a wonderful day. Coming along are volunteers, staff, supporters of The Reader Organisation and the most important V.I.Ps of all - lots of local Get Into Reading group members. There'll be tea, testimonials, lots and lots of reading, as well as the ingredient that no birthday or TRO party would be complete without - cake.

Even those Get Into Reading members who are unable to be there in person have been involved in helping us to celebrate, as we've been asking group members from across the country to share their memories of the past years of Get Into Reading. They'll all be pinned up on a special memory wall at the party, but here's a selection of some of the brightest highlights:

‘It's like time stands still, a tranquil moment in my week’ - Shona, Reading Room, Newton Ferrers, South Devon

'Feel cock-a-hoop since I joined the group! Great reads, kind friends, no fuss - just a lovely buzz!' - Betty Gris, Vauxhall

'You can travel and have adventures by the turn of a page' - George Norman, The Lauries

'Kindness, new horizons, commitment, generosity, respect, mutual aid, support, sharing' - Lesley Pole, Chelsea Reading Group

'Get Into Reading has inspired me and taken me to another planet' -  S, HMP Liverpool

'A not to be missed weekly intellectual and happy club. A God send!' - Jim Warbrick, Bebington Central Library

'I might mention things buried deep down that are bothering me, cos something in the story or the poem will remind me, and it like releases the pressure inside me.' - Lesley, Upstairs @ 83, Liverpool

'When you read literature or poems it brings things back to you from your own life, which you couldn’t have put into words before, and it helps us to put some of our deep things into words.'  - Nick, Upstairs @ 83, Liverpool

‘To read about a new situation
To feel a new sensation
And have great elation
Is a really new education
Thank you Reader Organisation
It’s been a real revelation’ - Terry Formby, Norris Green Library, Liverpool

We've also asked members to share their favourite poems from Get Into Reading, and there's been a plethora:

‘Adlestrop’, Edward Thomas: Such a wonderful, peaceful impression of a still, sunny afternoon in times gone by - Ann, Reading Room, Newton Ferrers, South Devon

‘The Trees’, Philip Larkin: The poem evokes promise of hope after tragedy, fresh start after failure - Tina Campbell, St James Library, Wirral

‘Friendship’ by Caroline Norton: It says how it is, how life is. I like reading. - Jean, Cartref Residential Care Home

‘After a While’ by Veronica A. Shoffstall: I like this poem as it is so true about life and you have all you need inside you, you just have to look and believe this fact. - Brenda Dyer, Chelsea Reading Group

‘Invictus’ by William Henley: A positive perspective on a very hard life! - Lawrence, Ealing Hospital

Keep your eyes on the blog for all the fun of our big birthday bash!