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Energise Luton Holiday Camps

For Children not on Free School Meals (payment required)

Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden

Friday 15th August, 10am – 11.15am, Children’s Library, Central Library

Meet the Author Camilla Chester

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<h1 style="line-height: 1.5;">Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden</h1>
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Throughout the summer, children joining the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge 'Story Garden' can discover new books, participate in free activities at their local library, and explore the link between reading and the great outdoors, where nature and imagination come together.
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Recent research shows that children&rsquo;s enjoyment and engagement in reading is in decline, despite research from the OECD showing that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success &ndash; more important than either parents' educational background or household income!
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The Summer Reading Challenge supports children to get excited about reading throughout the summer, helping to maintain their reading at a time when engagement can often dip. There's also a host of FREE and fun activities taking place across libraires to get involved in each week.
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How do I take part?&nbsp; Signing up is easy! Simply visit your local Luton Library. Or, join online via <a href="www.summerreadingchallenge.co.uk">www.summerreadingchallenge.co.uk</a>
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What do I have to do? Simply read 6 books of choice before 6th September. Each time you finish a book, visit the library. You will collect a special stickers and rewards along the way!
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Swim for only &pound;2.50 This summer, anyone who joins the challenge, can also swim at their local Active Luton swimming pool to enjoy a Fun Time Splash session for only &pound;2.50 per child! Ts&amp;Cs apply. <a href="https://www.activeluton.co.uk/terms-conditions">Find out more</a>.
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You can also get involved in a host of fun activities each week at your local library.&nbsp;
Whats happening at your local library&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/185687060@N03/54637742717/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54637742717_4aa5ae4b03_b.jpg" alt="SRC Story Garden Timetable" width="1024" height="135" /></a>
Stories and Craft with the Wildlife Trust Join us at Lewsey Library for a wild and wonderful storytelling adventure in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants! Listen to nature-inspired tales full of bees, bugs and butterflies, then enjoy a creative craft session to make something special to take home. It&rsquo;s part of this year&rsquo;s Summer Reading Challenge &ndash; where stories bloom and imaginations grow. &pound;2.50 per child (pay on the day) (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Book your place now</a> &nbsp; Inflatable Theatre Magic Show Prepare to be amazed! The Inflatable Theatre Magic Show is a spellbinding mix of laughter, wonder and imagination &ndash; perfect for families taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge. Expect surprises, giggles, and magical storytelling, all inspired by the Story Garden theme. Tickets &pound;3.75 per person (children &amp; adults) &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Join the fun &ndash; book here</a> &nbsp; Taleshakers &ndash; Next Generation Youth Theatre Let imaginations bloom with Taleshakers, a vibrant mix of storytelling, music, games and movement! Designed for little ones aged 0&ndash;6, each joyful session supports creativity, early language and confidence &ndash; all through play and rhythm. &pound;5.30 per child &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk on the day (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult).&nbsp; <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Reserve your spot today</a> &nbsp; Circus Workshop with Splats Circus Roll up, roll up! The Story Garden comes alive with our exciting Circus Workshop Learn to juggle, balance, spin and more with Splats Circus &ndash; perfect for ages 3 to 11. Whether you&rsquo;re a tiny acrobat or just love to clown around, this hands-on session is packed with fun! &pound;5.30 per child &ndash; pay at the enquiry desk on the day (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). <a href="https://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/events">Secure your place now</a>

Summer Reading Challenge 2025

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Activities

All you need to get started at your local library.&nbsp;

We host regular activities in our libraries for all ages and abilities to join in with.

Our digital eLibrary is always open so you can access your favourite books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines all of the time.
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Come and see what else you can do at your local library.

The library supports your health and wellbeing.

Learn something new at your local library.

Active Luton is our town's community wellbeing trust, supporting the health and wellbeing of all.&nbsp;

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<h1 style="line-height: 1.5;">Talk Together</h1>
A warm, welcoming space for everyone to meet others and build confidence in using library services. &nbsp; Join us on Thursday afternoons for Talk Together, a friendly and relaxed drop-in session held from 2pm to 3.30pm in the Heritage Room at Central Library.&nbsp; &nbsp; Talk Together offers: &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;A safe and inclusive environment to chat and socialise &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds and communities &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Games, conversation, and a chance to relax &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Friendly support for those learning English &nbsp; No booking required, just come along and say hello!

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A warm, welcoming space for everyone to meet others and build confidence in using library services.

Talk Together

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<h1 style="line-height: 1.5;">Memory Boxes</h1>
A Memory Box is a time capsule that connects people with the past through the items inside.
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These boxes are a great way to help recall events and people from the past, stimulating and prompting memories that can take you back to moments in time that are held dear and can stir thoughts of happy moments in life.
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For those living with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease or other kinds of dementia, the joy of life&rsquo;s special memories are eventually lost. While dementia takes away a person&rsquo;s short-term memory, their long-term memory can remain intact much longer. A Memory Box can help stimulate those long-term memories and promote cognitive functioning, helping to recall happy memories and positive responses.
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Our popular Memory Boxes are available to loan up to 4 weeks at a time from Leagrave Library, for just a refundable deposit of &pound;10 per box (you can borrow up to 2 at a time). We have a number of boxes with a variety of emotive subjects such as the 1960s, Luton and School-days available for you to choose from.
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All our boxes are based around different themes and contain a wide selection of objects, music, smells and photographs.
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<h2 style="line-height: 1.5;">Memory Box Workshops</h2>
Alternatively, Memory Box workshops can be provided by a member of our team at your local community club, organization, care home or, school. These are charged at &pound;30 an hour.
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To enquire/ book a Memory Box workshop please contact:
 Grant Savage Reminiscence Collection Leagrave Library, 1st Floor Office, Marsh Road, LU3 2NL Telephone: 07394 575455 Email: <a href="mailto:grant.savage@lutonlibraries.co.uk">grant.savage@lutonlibraries.co.uk</a>&nbsp;

A Memory Box is a time capsule that connects people with the past through the items inside.