READING’S youngsters are in for a summer treat as the Children’s Festival returns to the town this week.
From Saturday, May 11, three weeks of activities and events are taking place across town for its 35th iteration, sponsored by Station Hill.
It begins with the Forbury Fiesta, where the mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page, will kick off proceedings, followed by performances from Kalakunj the Arts dancers, Anyone for Tennis, Berkshire Music Trust, Theatretrain, Dance Reading, and the O’Gara School of Irish Dance on the main stage.
A number of performers are also holding workshops in the marquee, including Babyballet, Theatretrain, Kalakunj the Arts, and a showing of a collaborative performance between the Comfort School in Zimbabwe and a Reading school.
It will also feature a Sports Zone, with a range of activities on offer from Sport in Mind, such as racquet sports and archery taster sessions, as well as the VF Fencing Club, and an obstacle course from Leisure provider BETTER.
Saturday, May 11, will also see The Abbey Reading Festival of Sport, bringing sports taster sessions aimed at inspiring girls to take part in sport.
It sees sessions with GB gymnastics gold medallist Kelly Simm and Fulham FC’s Ellie Olds for sports such as hockey, netball, cricket, gymnastics, and dance.
Meanwhile Highdown School will also hold free sessions where children can be introduced to fencing, also led by VF Fencing Club.
Berkshire Music Trust is hosting a number of sessions to help children get into music, including Mini Maestros, a live interactive session for under 5s, and the contemporary singing workshop, which sees an international vocal coach helping youngsters sing safely and effectively.
Reading Chinese School is hosting sessions to help children explore Chinese culture through caligraphy, costume, and crafts, while the 79th Reading Scouts are set to hold a fundraiser ahead of a trip to Malawi to renovate an orphanage.
Libraries around Reading will host a range of events, including the Paper Aeroplane Championships at Battle Library, modelling and clay work at Whitley Library, and crafts at Tilehurst Library.
All of the libraries are also offering rhymetime sessions to help introduce toddlers and infants to language.
Fourbears Fest will see numerous events with authors and poets such as AF Harrold, Jo Clarke, Neill Cameron, and Margaret Bateson-Hill at their store in Caversham.
Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture said “I’m delighted our fantastic Children’s Festival is returning for its 35th year, ahead of a summer of sport with the Paris Olympics and Euros.”
“Our Children’s Festival is always maximum full-on fun for children and parents alike, do pop along and try something new at Forbury Fiesta and during the three weeks of fun free and affordable events across the borough.”
A full schedule of events is available via: reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events
