Our Programme and Marketing Assistant Hannah Lambert has taken Seven Stories On the Road this Spring. Here are her highlights so far... “We don’t know what to do with ourselves while you’re closed!” said one delighted annual pass holder who attended one of our StoryParty On the Road sessions at Jesmond Dene.
Now into our seventh week of closure, we’ve already covered over 100 miles and we are really enjoying being On the Road! We’ve shared stories in a tropical garden, a “royal” library and delved into the deep, dark woods. As well as bouncing countless stuffed animals on Lycra with over 70 under4s down at the beautiful Jesmond Dene during our StoryParty sessions. Getting a chance to say hello to the goats and ducks at Pet’s Corner in the sunshine and get some much needed fresh air every Friday has definitely been a highlight.
There have been some brilliant moments so far. One of the best has to be looking round a bustling room at Palace Green Library, Durham and watching families of all ages immersed in reading together whilst other grownups, deep in concentration, “help” their children design imaginative specs. It’s a tough call to say who has enjoyed the craft activities more – the children or the grownups!
Meeting familiar faces, new families and enthusiastic children, babies and grownups – we’ve loved hearing your memories, reminiscing about your favourite exhibitions and learning just how many of you met the Gruffalo. This weekend we took the armchair to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens where over 400 people who made animal masks, binoculars and fabulous fish before listening to stories by Dr Burton the wacky “ornithologist”. Think Indiana Jones meets David Bellamy and you will be right there in the midst of a Seven Stories extravaganza.
We’ve had a brilliant time On the Road and been thoroughly looked after by all the venues we have dropped into. Not only have we been able to showcase the unique Seven Stories offer and drum up some excitement for the relaunch of our Visitor Centre on Sunday 19 July (only 44 days to go - eek!) but we’ve had a glimpse at some other fantastic venues and feel enthused ourselves by the culture and innovation happening in our region. Still to come… This weekend we will be doing a “sunshine dance” to ward off any threat of rain as we head back On the Road to not one but two local festivals. On Saturday 6 June join Seven Stories for Snorgh’s adventures at Cullercoats when we drop in on Iron Age Festival. There will be seaside stories and a chance to see a brilliant display by the children of Cullercoats Primary who worked with our Learning Team this week in a workshop inspired by best-selling book The Snorgh and The Sailor by Will Buckingham and Thomas Docherty. We will also be stopping at Jesterval, The North East's Premier Comedy Festival, Sunday 7 June which is returning to the region for the third year running. Families can take part in lively, interactive storytelling and make a pair of wacky specs to take away with them as Seven Stories lends a sprinkling of its trademark flair and family fun to this fabulously funny festival.
We’re really looking forward to a big bonanza at Kirkley Hall on Sunday 28 June when we help The Children’s Foundation celebrate their 25th anniversary. The Family Fun Day is packed with events, food, stalls and Seven Stories will be in amongst it all! Head Into the Woods to find Little Red, storytelling and activities. Find us On the Road at Jesmond Dene, Theatre Royal Newcastle and Ouseburn Festival before we reopen in our brand new building on Sunday 19 July 2015. As well as all of this we are also preparing for our launch and 10th birthday celebrations this July. Click here to find out more about our Summer Programme (spoiler: it involves Trolls and PIRATES!) We love seeing your photos from our events – why not share them with us #7SOntheRoad on Twitter and Instagram @7Stories and Facebook /7stories.com. Don’t forget, we are still collecting your memories from over the last 10 years of Seven Stories #7STurns10 Hannah x