Is your family up to the challenge?

Come and celebrate National Family Week this May half term at Leicestershire’s flagship tourist attractions and see if your family is up to the challenge!

Leicestershire’s award winning museums, Snibston and Bosworth and various libraries are hosting a fun packed week of great value activities to enable families to spend some quality time together.

Find out if your family is up to the challenge at Snibston Discovery Museum between 30^th May and 4^th June with creative activities including being a designer or inventor for the day, construction with K’Nex and even paper plane and junk modelling. There’s also a country park challenge for all members of the family to enjoy.

Bosworth Battlefield is celebrating by offering 10% off all family tickets between 31^st May and 3^rd June.  Bosworth Battlefield is hosting activities that will surely bring the family together with: Knight School for budding young warriors; a medieval camp with Les Routiers de Rouen; the chance to see falconry with some of Bosworth’s resident birds and a superb opportunity for the whole family to unwind with a pleasant guided walk around the country park.

Libraries across Leicestershire are also joining in with travelling, adventure and health & fitness themed activities as well as futuristic stories and crafts.

Some of the events require pre-booking. For inspiration on what to do during the half term and for details of these and other events in Leicestershire please visit: www.leics.gov.uk/schoolholidayevents

National Family Week

Get in gear, check your health, or explore forests at Blaby’s libraries

There will be plenty to keep both adults and children entertained and informed, and even a chance to check up on your health, at libraries in the Blaby area this February.

First off, there will be a story time session for children under eight years old at Enderby Library on Saturday February 5th from 11:30am to 12 noon.

Then if you fancy something a little different on Valentine’s Day you can enjoy coffee with a local Magistrate at Blaby Library. Find out more about this important legal position, and even how you can go about becoming one, at this free event on Monday 14th February between 10.30am and 11.30am

An insight into Willesley Wood is on offer two days later on Wednesday 16th February, when the Woodland Trust’s Ian Retson will be giving an evening talk at 7pm on its history and ongoing conservation at Glenhills Library. Tickets for this event cost £2 each and should be booked in advance.

Free health checks are also on offer through the third week of the month in all the area’s libraries, provided by Blaby District Council’s Active Together Team

• Braunstone Town Library: Monday 14th February, 9.30am until 11.30am.
• Glenhills Library: Tuesday 15th February, 3pm until 5pm.
• Countesthorpe Library: Wednesday 16th February, 10:15am until 12:15pm.
• Enderby Library: Wednesday 16th February, 2:30pm until 4:30pm.
• Cosby Library: Thursday 17th February, 10am until 12noon.
• Glenfield Library: Thursday 17th February, 2:30pm until 4:30pm.
• Kirby Muxloe Library: Friday 18th February, 10:30am until 12:30pm.

Over the half term break, fans of Jacqueline Wilson can immerse themselves in the world of her famous tomboy heroine, Tracy Beaker, with Explore Learning events on Wednesday 23rd February.

These fun literacy workshops are for children between seven and eleven years old and take place in Braunstone Town Library between 11am and 12 noon, at Kirby Muxloe Library between 2.30pm and 3.30pm, and at Enderby Library between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. These should be very popular events, so pre-booking is required.

Those looking for a real challenge over half term can take part in the Top Gear learning events, in which children pick up activity sheets from local libraries in preparation for the Top Gear Challenge at Enderby Library at the end of the week.

Teams of children and adults will compete between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 26th of February to design and create the best toy car they can using just the materials provided. Who will be the Top Gear Champion? This free event is for seven to twelve-year-olds and accompanying adults, and is bound to be popular, so spaces should be booked early.

Fitting in with the cars theme, on Friday 25th Feb Explore Learning will be providing another set of free workshops, this time on the subject of cars and combining numeracy as well as literacy skills. This workshop is aimed at six to eleven-year-olds and take place at Glenfield Library between 10am and 11am, Countesthorpe Library between 2:15pm and 3:15pm and Cosby Library between 4pm and 5pm.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council Lead Member for Adults & Communities, said, “Events like these across libraries in Blaby keep visitors of all ages stimulated and entertained, and for little or no cost.”

For further details of these and other events, please contact Ali Sheffield on 0116 305 5900, visit www.leics.gov.uk/blabyevents, or visit your local library.

Jigsaws, chats and carnival masks at North West Leicestershire libraries

There’s lots going on this February at Leicestershire County Councils libraries in North West Leicestershire, from carnival masks and wriggly reader sessions for children, to guided walks and book discussions for older visitors.

First off, Castle Donington Library will be launching a new jigsaw library service – just give 20p and you can keep a jigsaw for a whole month. The jigsaw library will run on the first Monday of every month from the 7th of February 2011 between 10am and noon.

There will be a free coffee morning at Ashby Library on Tuesday February 8th at 10.30, where book lovers can come and talk about their favourite novels, meet new people and find out about what they enjoy reading.

There will aslo be hour long guided walks from Ashby Library every Thursday morning at 10.30am. The walks, organised by the North West Leicestershire Active Together Team, are designed to keep people healthy while taking in the sights of the town and cost just £1.50 per person.

Over half term there are many events for children, all of which are free.

Learn all about the world with the Goofy Geography sessions on Thursday 24th at Kegworth Library (10.30am -11.30am) and Castle Donington Library (3pm-4pm), featuring fun learning and story times.

And for very young library users there’s Wriggly Readers with a difference – children can learn about objects and rhyming at the Pic n’ Mix sessions, taking place at Ibstock and Coalville libraries on Thursday 24th February at 10am and 10.30pm respectively.

Children can also bring a splash of colour to half term at Coalville, Ashby and Measham Libraries by making masks at the Carnival Masquerade sessions. Measham Library’s starts at 3pm on Saturday 19th, Coalville’s is at 10.30am on Wednesday 23rd and Ashby’s is at 2.30pm on Thursday 24th.

Finally, at the end of the month there will be a book, CD and DVD sale at Castle Donington Library. Prices of items start at 25p and the sale takes place on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of November during normal opening times.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council Lead Member for Adults & Communities, said, “Events like these across libraries in the North West area keep visitors of all ages stimulated and entertained, and for little or no cost.”

For more details of these and other events in libraries in North West Leicestershire contact Liz Evans on 0116 3053570, visit the Leicestershire County Council’s website at www.leics.gov.uk/nwleic_libraries, or visit your local library.

Return to the stars at Hinckley’s libraries

There will be plenty to keep families and older people entertained and informed at libraries in the Hinckley area this February.
For fathers, grandfathers, uncles and carers there will be Dads Day, a free event for men and their pre-school children featuring stories and songs. This takes place at 10:30am at Newbold Verdon Library on Saturday February 5th 2011.

Following the huge success of Stargazing Live last month, at which nearly 150 people attended, Newbold Verdon Library will also be opening its doors from 6:30pm on Tuesday 8th February for the first Stargazing Club, which is free to visitors.

Other events at Newbold Verdon Library include afternoon tea on Wednesday 9th February and a local history group which will convene for the first time on the following Wednesday, 16th February. Both of these events are free and all are welcome.

Those looking for a real challenge over half term should consider the Top Gear activity morning, in which families can drop in to Hinckley Library for fun activities with a motoring theme. This free event is for children aged between seven and eleven years old and takes place between 10:30 and 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd February.

And for fans of Music Hall and Variety performances there will be a special coffee morning in which a guest speaker will be reminiscing on this era of entertainment. This free event starts at 10am on Thursday 24th February at Barwell Library in the George Ward Centre, and there will also be the opportunity to get online throughout the day.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council Lead Member for Adults & Communities, said, “Events like these across libraries in the Hinckley area keep visitors of all ages stimulated and entertained, and for little or no cost.”

For further details of these and other events, please contact Tracey Beighton on 0116 3052501, visit www.leics.gov.uk/hinkley_libraries, or visit your local library.

Family Fun Day

Fleckney Library is currently hosting an exhibition on a wonderful local find, the Hallaton Treasure.

On Saturday 19th February the library is having a family fun day from 10am – 4pm.

Visitors will be able to meet Flavinus, a Roman soldier and Seren, an Iron Age woman and discover what life was like 2000 years ago, try on Roman and Iron Age costumes, make a Roman helmet, Iron age jewellery and their own coin to take home. There will be children’s story times at 11am and 2pm. Visitors can also try on a replica helmet and view the exhibition including 20 of the actual gold and silver coins from the 2000 year old site at Hallaton. No booking is required, just call in on the day.

For more information on the Hallaton Treasure visit www.leics.gov.uk/harboroughmuseum

 

 

 

Broughton Astley Community Event

Broughton Astley Library is having an open morning for young families and OAPs to find out more about learning and community opportunities in Broughton Astley.

It takes place on Wednesday 26th January 10am – 12.30pm. It’s free and refreshments will be provided.

Activities include:

• Have a go on a computer – ICT taster sessions for adults (supported by Thomas Estley C C pupils)
• Games and stories for under 5’s
• Meet your local police officers
• Meet the Children’s Outreach Worker from the Children’s Centre
• Meet a representative from the Parish Council
• Broughton Astley Improvement Team – find out what we’ve been doing
• See the fantastic 3D model of Broughton Astley
• And lots more!!!

 

Further date announced for stargazing event

Due to high demand, a further date has been announced to enable people to gaze at the stars at Leicestershire County Council’s Newbold Verdon Library.  Inspired by the BBC, the event involves a whole host of astronomers and stargazers in Leicestershire to look to the skies in the New Year in a season of events and programmes headed up by Professor Brian Cox.

On Tuesday 18th January at 6.30pm, Newbold Verdon Library in association with BBC Learning will host a Stargazing LIVE event where total beginners, amateur astronomers and professional stargazers will get a chance to explore the night sky.  The first event to be held at the library tomorrow has been completely booked up!

James Palmer from the National Space Centre will give a presentation about the night sky in winter, after which people can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies whilst studying the stars!  Visitors are encouraged to wrap up warm, bring along a telescope and binoculars, and come on down to the library.

It’ll be a great way to find out about the glories of the universe and a great way to start 2011.

 

Stargazing LIVE events are taking place between 3-16 January nationwide.

The stargazing event at Newbold Verdon Library costs £2.00 for adults and is free for children.  To book your place, pop into the library or phone:

0116 305 3660/1 or email: newboldverdonlibrary@leics.gov.uk

For more information please also visit: http://www.leics.gov.uk/newboldverdon_library

Families urged to read together in the New Year

Leicestershire parents and carers are being urged to go along to their local library in the New Year and enjoy shared book time with their youngsters and encourage them to read.

A series of wriggly reader sessions have been arranged throughout libraries in Leicestershire for the New Year.  They give families the chance to share books, stories and rhymes and provide an opportunity to meet other parents and carers, make new friends and have fun.

Leicestershire libraries offer free access to books and learning resources. They also promote the value of literacy through reading, and offer informal learning opportunities for residents and community groups.

Whilst at the library, families can take advantage of the many resources and facilities that libraries now offer. Alongside books, libraries offer free use of internet ready computers and music and films for hire from as little as £1 per week.

Did you know that Leicestershire has:

• 54 libraries and 6 mobile libraries
• Nearly 4 million library visitors
• Over 400 library computers
• Around 24,000 DVDs to rent
• Nearly 790,000 books to borrow

Local Wriggly Readers sessions are being held at a number of libraries in the   County including:

• Newbold Verdon Library (Tel 0116 305 3661) – 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month, 10.30 -11.00 am.  Please note the new time.

• Desford Library (Tel 0116 305 3624)– 1^st Thursday of each month; 10.00 10.30 am

• Market Bosworth Library (Tel 0116 305 3581) – 1^st Friday of each month; 10.30 – 11.00 am

For more details about sessions at other libraries please contact your local library or visit: www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Have a night with the stars at Newbold Verdon Library!

The BBC is set to inspire a whole host of astronomers and stargazers in Leicestershire to look to the skies in the New Year in a season of events and programmes headed up by Professor Brian Cox.

On Tuesday 11th January at 6.30pm, Newbold Verdon Library in association with BBC Learning will host a Stargazing LIVE event where total beginners, amateur astronomers and professional stargazers will get a chance to explore the night sky.

James Palmer from the National Space Centre will give a presentation about the night sky in winter, after which people can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies whilst studying the stars! Visitors are encouraged to wrap up warm, bring along a telescope and binoculars, and come on down to the library.
It’ll be a great way to find out about the glories of the universe and a great way to start 2011.

Residents in Newbold Verdon will be sharing the experience with tens of thousands of fellow stargazers as part of the nationwide extravaganza that is tied into the new BBC Two show Stargazing LIVE. In this three-day series, which airs during the first week of January 2011, Professor Brian Cox will be joined by Dara O’Briain as the pair look to the skies to bring the wonders of the stars into our living rooms. Plus Mark Thompson, the One Show’s resident astronomer, will be on-hand to offer viewers tips on how to navigate their own way across the skies.

As well as the Stargazing LIVE events there will be other ways to get involved. Brian is asking stargazers of all levels to share their photographs of the night sky, with the best showcased during the live shows in January. Whether the pictures are of the moon or the planets, galaxies or nebulae, comets or meteors, the Stargazing LIVE team would love to see them. Images can be uploaded and a comprehensive starter guide to the night sky can be downloaded by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/stargazing

Mark Thompson, Astronomer said:

“The night sky is one of nature’s most incredible treasures so it’s fantastic that there are going to be Stargazing LIVE events up and down the country to give the public a chance to try their hand at stargazing.

“Although a star filled sky can be daunting to many people taking their first steps around the sky, the Star Guide is an invaluable tool and will soon help newcomers to pick out some of the incredible sights of the Universe.”

Stargazing LIVE will be on from 3-5 January at 8pm on BBC Two

Stargazing LIVE events are taking place between 3-16 January nationwide.

The stargazing event at Newbold Verdon Library costs £2 for adults and is free for children. To book your place, pop into the library or phone: 0116 305 3660/1 or email: gill.harris@leics.gov.uk or newboldverdonlibrary@leics.gov.uk

For more information please also visit: www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Autumn Animals at Enderby Library

Families wanting to learn about wildlife this half term can head to Enderby Library for a free afternoon session on Monday 18th October.

There will be stories and learning sessions about animals, plus a chance to make a model hegehog from clay to take home and keep.

The session runs from 2.30pm for an hour and is free to attend. For more information contact Enderby Library on 0116 3053523.