Seven Stories - National Centre for Children’s Books is thrilled to join forces with National Trust Gibside to take part in The Big Wild Rumpus 2015, a nationwide campaign to celebrate the nation’s love of the Maurice Sendak book, Where the Wild Things Are.
The two National organisations will launch their partnership in a series of events this spring for all the family. The collaboration will include a Wild Rumpus full of noise and colour as families are invited to parade through Gibside following Max from Where the Wild Things Are.
Both Seven Stories and the National Trust are inspiring charities who share an ethos to celebrate, share and protect national heritage for future generations whether that is by preserving treasures from children’s literature or the rolling countryside, coastline and historic houses, castles and gardens intrinsic to British history.
“This is an ideal time to launch the partnership” says Alison Gwynn, Programming Director at Seven Stories, “Gibside is a stunning venue with an exciting events programme; our shared family audiences can expect a bigger, better collaborative offer as Seven Stories sprinkle our storytelling flair. We are delighted to share practice with such a charity like the National Trust and I am excited to see how this relationship flourishes.”
On 13 June, little Wild Things can stomp, shout and adventure through Gibside’s beautiful surroundings in an event for all the family. Visitors can listen to a reading of Maurice Sendak’s timeless classic Where the Wild Things Are before making flags and musical instruments to create a Wild Rumpus through the woods. Families can purchase their tickets for the event at Gibside by visiting the Seven Stories website www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on .
Seven Stories will also pop up during May Half Term for a three day storytelling residency at Gibside from Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 May. Families strolling through the scenic woodlands of the 18th-century landscape garden will stumble upon Seven Stories’ iconic armchair in a rustic yurt and are invited to join in with interactive storytelling. The free events will complement Gibside’s popular family activities and outdoor adventures running every day of the school holidays.
Ed Jagger, Visitor Experience and Events Officer at Gibside says “We’re delighted to be working with Seven Stories – an organisation that shares the National Trust’s high standards for days out and belief in engaging people with their heritage. Through this partnership we aim to reconnect people of all ages with the outdoors and help them experience a little bit of magic!”
The events with the National Trust venue forms part of Seven Stories’ On the Road programme which brings a taste of Seven Stories to families and festivals across the North East whilst the Visitor Centre is closed for refurbishment. Those who can’t wait to see the fabulously refurbished National Centre when it reopens on Sunday 19 July 2015 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. To be in with a chance of winning, email reception@sevenstories.org.uk and share why you love Seven Stories!
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Media Contact
For images, quotes or interviews please contact:
At Seven Stories
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
At Gibside, National Trust
Sadie Parker, PR and Communications Consultant
National Trust, Holy Jesus Hospital, City Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 2AS
T: 0191 2558650
E: Sadie.parker1@nationaltrust.org.uk
Editors Notes:
- To register interest for the 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.
- Wild Rumpus, Saturday 13 June, 11am. 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. Book via Seven Stories’ website: www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-onThe Big Wild Rumpus is a nationwide campaign run in collaboration by Random House Children’s publishers (www.randomhousechildrens.co.uk) and Wild Rumpus CIC (www.wildrumpus.org.uk), a social enterprise who produce large scale family arts events in wild natural landscapes. The event is celebrating children’s picture book Where the Wild Things Are by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, first published in 1963.
- Gibside is a stunning 18th-century landscape garden and haven for nature. A taste of the country on the edge of the city, Gibside is a Georgian 'grand design' on a spectacular scale. The vision of coal baron George Bowes, the Palladian chapel is an architectural masterpiece, the stable block is a vibrant learning and discovery centre, and the once grand hall is now a dramatic shell. Gibside is also a haven for wildlife with red kites often circling in the skies above. For more information about events at Gibside, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside/things-to-see-and-do/events
- 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. 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.
CLICK HERE for full listings for the On the Road programme.