celebrate a love of words this summer!

visit your local libraryAre you ready for some tear jerking, heart thumping, edge of your seat, laugh out loud moments?

Then join us as we celebrate the love of reading and writing over the summer months of 2016, with our packed programme of literacy inspired activity:

Too Write Competition with Hot Air Literary Festival open until 20th May for all ages. Get your pen out and start writing!

The Little Library Van started it’s journey round the city on 5th April, sharing stories with children and families. You can book it for your community event to bring a love of reading to your doorstep. Contact Stoke-on-Trent Libraries.

little library van

100 Reads is a list of the 100 favourite children’s books chosen by local children (and some parents and teachers). Every child will get a copy of the list, and libraries and schools will get a copy of each of the 100 books. The Stoke-on-Trent Libraries and Stoke Speak Out 100 Reads project will be celebrating on the 18th May. Look out for lists and books in your local library from then.

The Big Read Staffordshire University will give a new book to all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children in the city, in partnership with Beanstalk, Stoke-on-Trent Libraries,  and local newspaper the Sentinel – there will be two weeks of press stories about literacy activities.

Voices Festival on the 8th June is a one day literacy festival at Staffordshire University for 110 secondary school students from Horizon Academy. They will be encouraged to develop their writing skills in workshops led by professional writers and to explore their own regional voices through performance poetry, story writing and drama. As part of the celebrations of Shakespeare’s anniversary, The Globe Theatre will also work with a company of student players to present a performance of Macbeth at the end of the festival.

hot air festival logo

Stoke’s Literary Festival “Hot Air” runs from the 9th to 11th June 2016.
The programme includes the Too Write competition prize giving on the 9 June at Staffordshire University, a talk with Catherine Burgass a lecturer at Staffordshire University, interviewing Lisa Blower and a Hot Air author workshop at Staffordshire University on the 10 June.

Read Poetry Out Loud on Friday 10th June – Join with everyone in every school in Stoke-on-Trent, people at Staffordshire University, Stoke Sixth Form College and other organisations across the city reading the poem ‘“Read To Me” by Jane Yolen out loud at 11am.

Staffs Fringe Community Open Day at Staffordshire University & Stoke Sixth Form College on Saturday 11th June includes “Somewhere Special To Read” spaces for reading and storytelling with Beanstalk Charity.

big book swap picnic new logo

The Big Book Swap Picnic in Hanley Park on Sunday 12th June invites the whole community to bring a picnic and a book to swap, from 12-2pm. If you haven’t got a spare book you can write a story or poem in exchange for a spare book. (Secondhand books donated by Stoke-on-Trent Libraries and  service). For ALL ages. Adult and Community Learning and Family Learning, Creative Learning and Wavemaker will run free workshops and activities. Organised by the University Quarter Community Action Network.

 

And there is more planned – keep your eyes open for the Wee Free Library Boxes coming your way soon!

Look for updates on the University Quarter facebook and twitter
as well as Staffs Fringe facebook and twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

Community Open Day April 2016

We are excited to have Jim from the BBC’s Great Pottery Thrown Down with us on Saturday 23rd April.
slim jim wildcards
 At 11am and 11:30am Jim will be giving a talk and pottery demonstration.
At 1pm we will have live music from Jim with his band Slim Jim and the Wildcards.
During the day you can take part in lots of FREE activities:

10-3
  • have a campus tour starting from the Science Centresports centre activities
  • hear a University talk on a wide range of subjects – book in at the Science Centre
  • view plans & find out more about developments on campus in the Science Centre
  • grab a bite to eat or a drink in the Coalport Community Garden
  • take part in Charity Sports competition and see activity demos in the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre

10.30 – 12.30 take a Labyrinth Walk with Prof Bernard Moss in the Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre Sports

labyrinth

11-3 in the LRV

  • have your face paintedface paint
  • learn about the Big Read summer literacy programme
  • find out how you can get involved in local community action with UniQ CAN
  • share your ideas for My Stoke Community Archaeology in Stoke on Trent

my stoke new vic

CLAY

12-3pm do a hands on Creative Clay workshop in the LRV

 

meditationdog

 

1-1.30pm relax with Midday Meditation at 1pm for half an hour led by Kitty Reim (over 18) Sir Stanley Matthews Sports Centre

Literature on Your Doorstep

2-3pm

Hear a lecture on “Literature on Your Doorstep – Stoke-in-Print with Dr Catherine Burgass in room B169 in the Brindley building

 

 

For more information contact transformation@staffs.ac.uk or call 01782 294345.

 

Festival of Learning fun day

Join us at the Festival of Learning

outside Hanley market in the city centre.

A4 POSTER_V1

Performance from AllSorts community choir

workshops:

  • face painting
  • tai chi
  • make a fruit kebab
  • community singing

A4 POSTER_V2Advice and Information about all types of adult education –  from basic maths and English to Degree level

Sing with the Voyagers at London Rd Festival 13th June

The Voyagers Chorus are a community singing group. We met when we took part in the recent ReStoke performance at Tunstall Swimming Baths, called, “The Voyagers”.

voyagersAfter the performance we realised that we had so enjoyed singing together that we wanted to continue on a more informal level. We sing a wide variety of songs from a variety of cultures, blending simple chants with more intricate harmonies, to create a lovely flowing medley of music.

Join us for a workshop at London Rd Festival in Stoke, at Boothen Gardens on Saturday 13th June from 12 to 1pm.

You do not have to be a “good” singer – it’s just for fun. If you enjoy making sounds, like music and fancy trying something together, please join us.

Community events at YMCA

Our great Fringe Friends and University Quarter partners YMCA North Staffs hold regular community events.

This June sees the opening of their new Spar shop – a very special business venture. When you shop with them you will be directly investing in children, young people and families as all profits made in store go straight back into providing services.

The grand opening of the new YMCA ‪#‎SPARintheuk‬ store on Saturday 6th June includes the YMCA World Challenge event – trying to break a world goal record, come along for free sessions of football, The fun and activities start at 11:00 a.m. and including Free Running, climbing wall and much more. Food and refreshments will be available.

On the 20th June the YMCA are holding a big arts day supported by Speight of the Art with lots of different types of music, dance and art workshops, all free and open to all. It’s aimed and children, young people and families and runs from 11am to 3pm.

Fantastic Fringe Finale 2015 – 20th June

The Fantastic Fringe Finale Community Day is packed with activities for people of all ages.

The Fringe Community Parade led by B Arts, starts by the Children’s play area in Hanley Park at 11.45am and will go down Boughey Rd to the Leek Rd site of Staffordshire University to arrive at about 12pm.

There will be lots to see and do on Leek Road. Activities will take place at Staffordshire University and Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College. This is the plan for the day so far……

Get creative in the “make it” zones:

Face painting and Henna art

clay flowerWorkshops:

  • animation
  • clay flower-making with Rita from the British Ceramic Biennial,
  • hands on clay with Etruria Artists potters wheel
  • drumming
  • Jasmine flower garlands (1 to 2pm)

Check out the “entertainment” zones:

market

  • Live Final of #StaffsFringeTalent
  • local business and craft markets

 

big hero 6 film poster

 

 

Family FILM show at 3pm – Big Hero 6

 

 

 

Afro-Brew band logoMusic from:

  • Afro-Brew
  • Steel for Stoke
  • Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College students

 

Have fun in the outdoor “action” zone:

sack race photo

  • bouncy castles – one for young children, one for older children
  • tombola
  • egg and spoon race
  • tug of war
  • sack race

 

Talk, listen and learn at the “Info” Zone:

people in communities

  • find out about the Community Plan for Shelton area and share your ideas
  • learn about Etruria Industrial Museum history from volunteers in Victorian dress
  • Give your views on the plans for Hanley Park
  • NHS health information
  • youth and adult education advice
  • meet the University Quarter Community Action Network
  • Look at the plans for Staffordshire University campus developments and have your questions answered.

art show posterView the exhibitions:

  • tours of the University’s student Show and Tell Art and Design show
  • Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College student Art showphoto of art exhibition

picnic

Grab an ice cream from the van!

Bring a picnic or a bit a money for refreshments.

baby changing symbolaccess symbol

 

 

 

If you have got any questions about access please phone or email.

Tel: 01782 294415

Email: factnews @staffs.ac.uk

Photos from Fantastic Fringe Finale in previous years give you an idea of what to expect!

Big Lunch in Hanley Park

Join us for a picnic in Hanley Park 

Big Lunch logoMeet your neighbours, play games and watch performances on the bandstand.

people playing twister picnic games 3 picnic games

Active Uni will lead some team games, so get ready for the fun.

There will be activities for all the family, supported by Thomas Boughey Children’s Centre.

photo of hanley park bandstand by Tony JonesPark Live! means you can take part too. If you have a skill to show off – sing, dance, play, act, tell a joke, read a poem – the stage is yours.

photo of accordion players on hanley park bandstand

 

 

 

 

photographers collective logoThe Photographers Collective North Staffs and Staffordshire University students will join us to lead a photography walk, so bring your camera or phone and meet at the bandstand at 12pm.

See you there!