The Reader, a charity based in Liverpool, has revealed its largest ever schedule of events and activities to mark the arrival of Spring at its location in Calderstones Park.
The schedule comprises of various events such as Garden Parties on Sunday afternoons, in-depth analysis of literary masterpieces, a sleepover for Teddy Bears in the Storybarn, and roast dinners to commemorate Easter and Mothering Sunday.
On Sunday 3 March, The i Choir, a socially inclusive community choir based in Liverpool, will be hosting an event called Sing into Spring to celebrate the start of the Spring season. The event will be filled with joyful singing and creative activities to welcome the arrival of Spring.
On Good Friday, the Easter festivities kick off with some amazing Easter Tea Parties that everyone in the family can enjoy. These parties will feature a range of handmade treats that are sure to impress. To entertain the younger guests, the Reader’s resident Storyhunters will be present with some fun Easter-themed crafts and games. If you have children under the age of 2, there is also a special Baby Bunny afternoon tea that features food made especially for little hands.
The in-house chefs of the Reader will be preparing traditional three-course roast dinners, complete with all the trimmings, to treat mums on Sunday, March 10th for Mother’s Day. Additionally, they will celebrate with the entire family on Easter Sunday, March 31st. Both events will be served in the historic Theatre room that offers a picturesque view of the garden. The dinner will also be accompanied by live music.
Garden Parties are back for the warmer months and will be held on Sundays 5th and 19th May. During the event, guests are welcome to bring their own picnic blankets or deckchairs and enjoy live music, crafts and street food. The Reader’s chefs will be preparing the food. Additionally, hampers filled with handpicked stories and poems for both children and adults will be available to create a library on the lawn for all to explore.
The Reader, as always, will be organizing literary events to bring people together and breathe life into books. The latest edition in the popular Sunday School series is taking place on Sunday 14th April, which involves a pilgrimage to Medieval Canterbury led by the work of Geoffrey Chaucer. The event provides an opportunity to delve deeper into this great work, and includes refreshments and a light lunch.
An uplifting Spring Wellbeing Workshop is also being organized on Sunday 12th May, inspired by American novelist Wendell Berry. The workshop will begin with Shared Reading with The Reader’s experienced practitioners, followed by a guided walk through Calderstones Park, and an opportunity to build a personal poetry collection to take home.
Throughout the year, drop-in Shared Reading sessions will continue at The Mansion House and other venues across the city. These sessions bring people together to talk, connect and share experiences through stories and poems.
The highly anticipated event, Makers at the Mansion, is set to take place on Sunday, June 2nd, and welcomes Liverpool’s talented makers to the stunning Mansion House. The event will showcase the best locally made and handcrafted products such as candles, soaps, jewelry, home decor, clothing, art, crafts, and more. The products will be available for browsing and purchase throughout the house and garden, along with delicious food.
The Reader’s Storybarn is hosting its first-ever Teddy Bear’s Sleepover on Friday 19th April, which is an exciting play space especially designed for children and families. Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed toys along to the sleepover to enjoy games and bedtime stories together. After that, they will tuck their soft toys into cozy beds and say goodnight. The next morning, children will be able to reunite with their furry friends, enjoy a breakfast of croissants and juice, and watch a presentation of what their teddies got up to the night before. Each child will receive a mini photo album of their soft toy’s sleepover adventure to take home.
On Saturday, May 25th, the Storybarn will host Elmer Day to honor the much-loved, colorful elephant. The event will feature a variety of Elmer-themed activities, including storytelling and crafting. Come join the fun and celebrate Elmer with us!
During the Easter and May school holidays, families can enjoy special themed sessions in the Storybarn that involve storytelling and games taking place outside in the beautiful outdoors. Additionally, selected weeks will host School Holiday Clubs that offer all-day entertainment, enrichment, and adventures throughout the park.
Guided tours exploring the history of the Mansion House will be available every Tuesday at 2pm. The Mansion House will be open every day, with the History of the House exhibition and the ancient Calder Stones, which give the local area its name, on display.
The full season is available to book here.
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