Pirates Ahoy as youngsters in Holt celebrate National Bookstart Day

Added: 08/10/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Children will enjoy a pirate themed activity day later this week as Corpusty and Holt Area Children's Centre celebrates National Bookstart Day.

The event is being organised by Norfolk County Council to encourage children's love of reading and stories and to promote the Holt and Corpusty Sure Start Children's Centre, currently being developed in Holt.

Children in the area have been sent invitations to the event, on Friday 10 October, and are asked to come dressed as pirates - the theme of this year's Bookstart Day.

Bookstart, run by the independent national charity Booktrust, encourages a love of reading for reading's sake; helping children in the earliest stages of their development to associate books with pleasure.

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “It is crucial that children begin reading at a young age and events such as Bookstart Day help open children's eyes to the fun and excitement that can be found in books.

The event in Holt is also a brilliant opportunity for children in the community to meet those behind the new children's centre and for parents to talk to a range of different agencies about what services the centre will provide.

We are committed to delivering children's centres that offer a range of services for Norfolk's communities and, though the centre in Holt hasn't opened yet, this event shows that all the foundations are in place for it to be a huge success.”

Friday's event will run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at the Youth Project based in Old Station Way, Holt. It will include a range of activities, including a treasure hunt organised by the Youth Project and story telling by the community librarian.

As part of the event Jessica Perry, community artist, will be helping children to create a piece of artwork for the new children's centre. Parents will also be able to meet staff from the Pre-School Learning Alliance, who will provide childcare at the centre.

The children's centre in Charles Road, Holt is now nearing completion and is expected to fully open in January.