Oh What Fun We Had (Gorton Library)
It’s official the fun factor was high at Gorton Library’s Festival of Libraries Funday. The library vibe was a definite happy, smiley, chill one with music wending it’s way through the bookshelves.
Dragons Voice added to the general “feeling good” as they kicked off the proceedings with interactive Tai Chi workshops and a rather beautiful demonstration. We learnt some very simple restorative, movements that focussed on the body opening and closing, like breath in the form of Ba Duan Jin or 8 Silk Weaving. People loved the sessions and everyone participating appeared to be both invigorated and relaxed as they left the room.
“It was a wonderful experience. I liked it very much. It helped me to relax and feel very good. thank you so much” & “The energy is powerful and I felt like I can control my breathing much more.”
Dragon’s Voice also bought their ever popular Chinese Calligraphy activity to the afternoon also. They taught participants how to write Chinese characters and had comments such as
I really enjoyed this experience and learnt a lot from writing and generally learning about the language too
There should be more Chinese lessons!
RFK Human Rights UK brought their Lino Printing workshop along using lino images from their book, 30 Illustrated Human Rights. They run fantastic sessions for children and young people empowering them to speak out about things that matter to them.
I enjoyed the printing and want to go back to do more.
Local Herb enthusiast and Digital skills volunteer Potting Herbs with Gale brought amazing smells into the library. Gale bought loads of Rosemary that she then supported participants to pot up whilst talking about the benefits of herbs and all things gardening.
It was a beautiful experience for me and for the first time I am inspired to start a garden. Thank You
The National Literacy Trust early years team led a really gorgeous Gruffalo story session. They gifted all children their own copy of The Gruffalo picture-book to be able to follow along.
Brilliant Artist Nayna Ladd made paper Marionettes with children a design inspired by traditional Indian Folklore Marionettes.
It was fun and I enjoyed making my marionette. Her name is Skye.
The wider Gorton Hub team had been collecting cardboard boxes and packaging in the weeks leading up to the Festival of Libraries Fun-day for a really lovely and creative activity making a city made out of cardboard with Helen from the Manchester Libraries children’s team. The floor was strewn with boxes and very happy children transforming them into Universities, Libraries, Fish shops etc, which then at the end of the day were displayed at the libraries entrance. There was an unbelievably cute at the end of the afternoon as we were tidying up that we had a baby Godzilla moment as 9month old cutie played amongst the newly created cityscape.
“I liked it and I had fun. I built a house out of sticks and daddy built a clock tower.”
I liked it and I had fun. I built a house out of sticks and daddy built a clock tower.
Last but not least Gorton Library’s chess club delivered introduction to chess, simplified games. It’s so amazing to see the amount of children and young people who are actively playing chess.
It was such a lovely afternoon that flew by. Everyone had great time and went home armed with their newly potted Rosemary plants, names written in Chinese, marionettes etc
A big huge THANK You to everyone who provided wonderful activities and all our fantastic participants who showed up open to an afternoon of fun and connection.
