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Local Talent tops the bill at Penny Readings Festival

Written by Emma Walsh, 1st December 2013

The Penny Readings Festival, St George’s Hall, 1.30-5.30pm Sunday 15 December

Performers and organisations from across Liverpool are joining forces to support The Reader’s free Penny Readings Festival on Sunday 15 December in St George’s Hall. This special festival will be open to the public from 1.30-5.30pm and celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Penny Readings, the sold-out festive event which this year stars author Frank Cottrell Boyce, poet Paul Farley and Wirral Ukulele Orchestra.

As well as a full programme of shared reading activities for all ages, the free afternoon festival features books, arts and crafts for sale, refreshments and entertainment. Publiship, the specialist publishing logistics provider whose UK office is based in Liverpool, are sponsoring the Penny Readings for the fifth year in a row. This year they are joined by new sponsors Liverpool Learning Partnership, who have been working with The Reader to meet the Mayor of Liverpool’s commitment to ensure that every child in the city, if capable, leaves primary school a reader.

Jane Davis, The Reader's Founder and Director, said:

“It’s great to be able to open up the magnificent main hall to all those not lucky enough to get tickets for the Ha’penny and Penny Readings in the raffle. We’re always massively oversubscribed so are delighted to be able to offer this afternoon of fun and reading for everyone, no tickets required!”

Tony McKee, CEO of Liverpool Learning Partnership, said:

“Reading will be a central focus of Liverpool Learning Partnership’s activity in 2014 and The Reader has already been working with us to encourage shared reading for pleasure in schools and families.

The Penny Readings is a popular Christmas event with reading at its heart, so we were delighted to get on board with their special festival this year.”

Festival goers will be given the chance to polish their own read-aloud skills, get creative with Christmas crafts, and find out more about volunteering opportunities. The Reader is also asking anyone who has unread books lying on their shelves to bring them along on the day to donate.

Although the Ha’penny Readings is sold out, there will be a live video link for the family show packed with reading, comedy and music at 2.30pm, on a first-come first-served basis. The 10th Penny Readings at 6.30pm is also completely sold out and looks set to be another spectacular show, featuring readings from author Frank Cottrell Boyce and poet Paul Farley, music from Wirral Ukulele Orchestra and the i Choir, as well as the famous Reader raffle.

Event Information: St George’s Hall, Sunday 15 December 2013

Penny Readings Festival: 1.30-5.30pm, Great Hall, St George’s Hall - free, no tickets required

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

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