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Blue Peter is launching a FREE book club for kids at Manchester’s Central Library

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th May 2024

Blue Peter is launching a book club for kids right here in Manchester later this month, and it’s free for everyone to get involved with.

Book-loving mini Mancs are in for a real treat in a couple of weeks time, as the iconic BBC children’s TV series is partnering with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency for an exciting new project called ‘Blue Peter Book Club Live’.

Officially kicking off at the Central Library in the heart of Manchester city centre next Saturday (18 May) Blue Peter Book Club Live is set to be a “fun-filled event” that’s open to all.

Not only will kids get to discover a whole host of “brilliant books” and “celebrate the joy and adventure of reading” with guest authors Eve Ainsworth, and the Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, but there’ll also be the chance to meet Blue Peter presenters Abby, Joel, and Shini, along with Henry the Blue Peter Dog, at the free event too.

CBeebies presenters George Webster and Gyasi Sheppi will also be there to take families on some “enchanting escapades” with magical story time sessions.

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Creative crafts, masses of books, and the opportunity to meet some classic book characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Peter Pan, and more, are also set to make the library “come to life”.

Blue Peter is launching a free book club for kids in Manchester / Credit: BBC & The Reading Agency

The Blue Peter Book Club ‘Badge Trail’ also launches on the day too, and it challenges children to discover special Blue Peter badges on display in 12 different cultural venues across Manchester – with a bonus badge in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford, and some exciting prizes up for grabs.

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Beyond the launch event, a series of ‘Book Hunt events will also be coming to “unexpected settings” in Manchester’s parks and open spaces throughout the summer too, and schools across the Greater Manchester region can also join in with Blue Peter Book Club Live by using activity packs and reading resources developed by The Reading Agency to create a “nationwide celebration”.

Ahead of the event next weekend, Councillor John Hacking, who is the Executive Member for Skills Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, has called Blue Peter’s new book club a “magnificent initiative”.

Blue Peter Book Club Live will kick-off with a launch event at Manchester Central Library / Credit: Ricardo (via Flickr)

“We are thrilled to be hosting this exciting book event alongside our partners in the iconic Central Library,” Cllr Hacking commented.

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“The book club is a magnificent initiative to inspire a love of reading and creativity to get our children engaged and excited by books, and this launch event is one that families with young children will not want to miss.”

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Find out more about Blue Peter Book Club Live on the BBC website here.

Featured Image – gov.uk (via Flickr)

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The northern village, caves, and medieval street named among the most beautiful places in the UK

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash @shawnaggg

The most beautiful places in the UK have been named, with several spots up north elbowing their way onto the list.

From mystical caves in the Lake District to the Mediterranean-style architecture in… Wales… there are so many stunning places to explore on our doorstep.

Time Out’s list of the 15 most beautiful places in the UK, compiled by travel writers, has picked out ‘pinch-me’ destinations across the nation.

Several of the places chosen are within a couple of hours’ drive of Manchester, too, so you really don’t have far to go to seek out the very best of the British isles.

One spot that was well-deserving of a mention is Portmeirion, a popular village in North Wales that’s famous for its colourful architecture.

The village is the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was inspired by the Mediterranean, which is plain to see in the colourful buildings and palm trees jutting out from an otherwise very British scene,

The tourist hotspot completed in 1975 and Time Out says it’s ‘like something out of a dream’.

Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash Karen Cann
Portmeirion village in North Wales has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK. Credit: Unsplash Karen Cann
Shambles in York. Credit: Unsplash, Karl Moran
Shambles in York. Credit: Unsplash, Karl Moran

The guide said: “This unique tourist village has established itself as the most romantic spot in north Wales. 

“Of course, it certainly helps if it comes with Italianate architecture, colourful facades and an unforgettable sense of romance. How could you not fall for Portmeirion?”

Another spot in the north of England that has been named one of the most beautiful places in the UK is Rydal Caves, tucked in the heart of the Lake District.

Now us Mancs know that nowhere in the country can compare to the majestic scenes right across the national park, but there is something really special about the dramatic cave system.

Located right between Grasmere and Ambleside, they’re accessible in just a 15 minute walk from the nearest car park.

Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out's list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
Rydal Caves in the Lake District made Time Out’s list of the Most Beautiful Places. Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios

You can leap across stepping stones all the way to the back of the cave, then look back out at the surrounding woodland through the cave’s huge entrance.

This spot was chosen by Netflix for scenes of the second season of The Witcher – told you it was magical.

Over in Yorkshire (and it’s a surprise to no one to see this on the list), is The Shambles in York.

The well-preserved medieval street features ramshackle buildings, cobbled street, and quaint little shops, and again looks like something straight out of a storybook.

Skipping over its gory past, Time Out said: “There are few easier, more atmospheric ways to transport yourself back hundreds of years (without the iffy smells and sights) than a stroll down Shambles.”

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Featured image: Unsplash

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Ashton is hosting its first-ever street art festival this weekend

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ashton free street art festvial

The people of Ashton are set to be treated to their first-ever street art festival this weekend as Art Battle Manchester is set to descend on the market town.

Running for over a decade now, Art Battle MCR has gradually been building a loyal following across Greater Manchester and now they’re taking their talents over to Tameside.

Dubbing it the ‘Ashton Underlined Paint Jam’ (very, very good punnage there), the free festival will see over 20 of the UK’s top street artists arrive in Ashton to transform the hoardings outside the town hall into a dynamic outdoor art gallery. 

Curated by internationally renowned street artist, Jay Sharples, the town’s inaugural Paint Jam promises to be a lively celebration of art, culture, and community, whilst also being crucially free for all to attend.

Set to deliver fun for all the family – no, we don’t mind using that old chestnut when it’s actually true – the day will also feature live music from local DJs, top-notch food from local independents and activities for all ages.

For instance, kids will be able to unleash their creativity with supervised spray-painting sessions, as well as enjoying dynamic break-dancing and skateboarding performances will provide entertainment for the whole family.

It’s all about expression this weekend.

Kicking off from 10:30am and running until 5pm on Saturday, 18 May outside Ashton Town Hall, you don’t need to book tickets, just simply turn up and soak up the colour and creativity.

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Art Battle co-founder John Macaulay said of the event: “The Ashton Underlined Paint Jam is right up our street – it brings art outside the gallery for the enjoyment of all.”

Funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for Communities and Place for the Ashton Creative Improvement District awarded to Tameside Council, the Ashton Underlined Paint Jam aims to enhance the cultural vibrancy of Ashton town centre and get people creating.

And if you’ve never been to an Art Battle event in Manchester before, trust us, you’re seriously missing out.

Credit: The Manc Group

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Featured Images — Art Battle MCR

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