Seven Stories heads On the Road to Sunderland Museums and Winter Gardens this May. Children can become an explorer deep in the tropical flora and fauna of the Winter Gardens and listen to jungle stories all weekend. Visitors will be treated to Seven Stories’ trademark vibrant costumes, lively interactive storytelling, quality craft activities and much more in this unique setting.
Families are invited to join in a jungle parade led by the wild and wacky, intrepid explorer Dr Burton and listen to all their favourite animal stories before making animal masks to take home.
Jo Cunningham, Museums Manager at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens says “We are delighted to welcome Seven Stories to the Museum & Winter Gardens. It will give our visitors the chance to hear first-hand about all of their exciting new developments as well as having a fun day with their family.”
The National Centre hopes the outreach programme will instil a fresh passion for reading in both regular visitors and first-time families who attend the events and help to build excitement for the relaunch of its Visitor Centre in July. Programme Director Alison Gwynn says, “The On the Road programme is a brilliant way to introduce Seven Stories’ flair to a wider audience and we are delighted to be hosted by Sunderland Museums and Winter Gardens which lends itself to explorative play. The weekend of imaginative programming promises to bring children’s books to life for families of all ages.”
The On the Road programming coincides with Seven Stories Visitor Centre’s current, temporary closure for exciting refurbishment work. The centre will re-open Sunday 19 July but during the closure, families will still be able to experience a taste of Seven Stories as it partners with other cultural venues, organisations and parks to host their On the Road events.
Those who can’t wait to see the fabulously refurbished National Centre have been offered the chance to attend an exclusive pre-launch day in July 2015. The lucky 100 families will be treated to a sneak peek of Seven Stories’ brand new exhibitions; Painting with Rainbows – A Michael Foreman Exhibition, Rhyme Around the World and A Bear Called Paddington and be the first to enjoy the brand-new Seven Stories experience.
The refurbishment is part of celebrations for Seven Stories’ 10th Birthday. Donations can be made to the 10th Birthday Appeal to help Seven Stories continue to save, celebrate and share the unique world of children’s books for future generations.
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Media Contact
For images, quotes or interviews please contact:
Hannah Lambert, Programming and Marketing Assistant
Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle. NE1 2PQ.
T: 0845 271 0777 ext. 223
E: hannah.lambert@sevenstories.org.uk
Notes to Editor:
1. Seven Stories is a charity which relies on donations to help deliver all of the extraordinary activities for which they are recognised. Public donations will help Seven Stories to build their unique Collection, bring it to life through a lively arts programme and broaden engagement through their learning, outreach and community work. To donate to the Seven Stories’ 10th Birthday Appeal, please follow this link: http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/get-involved/donate/your-details?value=other or Text READ07 followed by £amount to 07070.
2. Follow Seven Stories even while they are closed by reading their 10 Years of Seven Stories Blog https://sevenstories10years.wordpress.com/
3. To register interest for exclusive launch event, email reception@sevenstories.org.uk detailing why you love Seven Stories! Include a main contact name, email address and phone number along with how many adults and children in your party (maximum of 5 tickets per winner) and 100 lucky families will be chosen to celebrate the re-launch.
4. Sunderland Museums and Winter Gardens is in the heart of Sunderland and explores the history of the city from its prehistoric past to the present day through exciting displays and hands-on exhibits. Visit the Koi Carp in the Winter Gardens, climb to the top and look down over the canopy at the tropical plants and astonishing water features. To find out more, visit the website www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens
5. Full listings of Seven Stories On the Road events:
StoryParty On the Road: Ponds StoryParty • Friday 22 May, 10.30am & 1pm
Suitable for ages 18months – 4years
Pet’s Corner, Ouseburn Parks Visitors Centre, Red Walk, Jesmond Dene, NE7 7BQ
£3 per child. Accompanying adult free. Booking essential. Access to the rest of Pet’s Corner is free. Sessions will last approximately 1hour. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/22-05-2015
StoryParty On the Road: Bears StoryParty • Friday 29 May, 10.30am & 1pm
Suitable for ages 18months – 4years
Pet’s Corner, Ouseburn Parks Visitors Centre, Red Walk, Jesmond Dene, NE7 7BQ
£3 per child. Accompanying adult free. Booking essential. Access to the rest of Pet’s Corner is free. Sessions will last approximately 1hour. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/29-05-2015
Jungle Armchair Journey • Saturday 30 May 10am – 5pm & Sunday 31 May 2pm – 4pm
All the family at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Sunderland, SR1 1PP
Free event, no booking required. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/121865/jungle-armchair-journey
StoryParty On the Road: Creepy Crawlies StoryParty • Friday 5 June, 10.30am & 1pm
Suitable for ages 18months – 4years
Pet’s Corner, Ouseburn Parks Visitors Centre, Red Walk, Jesmond Dene, NE7 7BQ
£3 per child. Accompanying adult free. Booking essential. Access to the rest of Pet’s Corner is free. Sessions will last approximately 1hour. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/05-06-2015
The Snorgh and The Sailor (Part of The Iron Age Festival 2015) • Saturday 6 June, 12pm – 4pm
All the family at Iron Age Festival, Cullercoats Community Centre, Cullercoats.
Free event, no booking required. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/121867/the-snorgh-and-the-sailor
Jesterval • Sunday 7 June, 11am – 4pm • All the family at Jesterval, Baltic Quay, Newcastle
Free event, no booking required. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/121869/jesterval
StoryParty On the Road: Farmyard StoryParty • Friday 12 June, 10.30am & 1pm
Suitable for ages 18months – 4years
Pet’s Corner, Ouseburn Parks Visitors Centre, Red Walk, Jesmond Dene, NE7 7BQ
£3 per child. Accompanying adult free. Booking essential. Access to the rest of Pet’s Corner is free. Sessions will last approximately 1hour. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/12-06-2015
Wild Rumpus! • Saturday 13 June, 11am & 1pm •All the family at Gibside, near Rowlands Gill
Booking essential. £4 per person or £8 per person including a copy of Where the Wild Things Are. Entry to Gibside is free for all event ticket holders. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/13-06-2015
StoryParty On the Road: Julia Donaldson Stories • Friday 19 June, 10.30am & 1pm
Suitable for ages 18months – 4years
Pet’s Corner, Ouseburn Parks Visitors Centre, Red Walk, Jesmond Dene, NE7 7BQ
£3 per child. Accompanying adult free. Booking essential. Access to the rest of Pet’s Corner is free. Sessions will last approximately 1hour. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/19-06-2015
Into the Woods Armchair Journey • Sunday 28 June, 11am – 4pm
All the family at Kirkley Hall and Gardens, Ponteland, Newcastle, NE20 0AQ
Free Event. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/122020/into-the-woods-armchair-journey
Paws and Claws
Friday 3 July: 9.15-10am & 11.45-12.30pm; 12.45-1.15pm & 2.45-3.30pm
Saturday 4 July: 9-9.45am & 11.15-11.45am & 1.15-2pm
All the Family at Theatre Royal, 100 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6BR
Free Event. www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/122027/paws-and-claws
6. Seven Stories – National Centre for Children’s Books.
Seven Stories is the only place in Britain dedicated to the art of children’s books and the joy of reading, and one of just a few such places in the world. Our work is enjoyed by over 150,000 people every year.
Everything we do aims to inspire children and grown-ups to be curious, imaginative and creative. We strive to ensure that people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can take part to enjoy a lifetime of reading for pleasure.
Our home is a carefully converted Victorian warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. We opened in 2005 and our seven floors house galleries for exhibitions, performances and creative spaces, a specialist children’s bookshop and a café.
Seven Stories is widely recognised for our abilities and achievements. We have established an important collection of artwork, manuscripts and archives of Britain’s most acclaimed writers and illustrators for children from 1930s to the present day. We bring this unique treasure trove to life through playful and immersive exhibitions, an entertaining and informative public events programme and research opportunities.
Seven Stories was awarded National status by Arts Council England in 2012 in recognition of the significance of our Collection and its high standard of care, and the excellent way that we engage with our visitors and users. We were also awarded with a National Lottery Award in September 2013 after being voted the UK’s favourite education project.