THE READER

View this email in your browser   I long for scenes where man hath never trod A place where woman never smiled or wept From I Am by John Clare   February has been an exciting month for The Reader, starting with two days that were definitely worth celebrating: World Read Aloud Day and Time To Talk Day. To celebrate, we have put together 10 reads for you to help make time to talk. This month Professor Philip Davis from the University of Liverpool has published a new book, Reading For Life, with the Centre for Research into Literature and Society and The Reader. The new book presents leading research into the processes of reading with detailed interviews from a wide range of readers. Listen to Phil on BBC Radio 4's You & Yours programme uncovering the power of reading aloud. As ever, there’s a new set of monthly Books, Plays and Poems to dive into as we look forward to #WorldBookDay next week. Get involved in the conversation online and take part using #SharedReading on Twitter or Instagram. #TimeToTalkDay On Thursday 6 February, Time to Talk Day 2020 gave the chance for people across the UK to be open about mental health. We’ve put together a list of ten novels and poems to help start the conversation around mental health and wellbeing, including titles from Charlotte Bronte, Lemn Sissay and Ray Bradbury. One of our Readers, Damien, recently spoke to us about how going to a Shared Reading group has helped his mental health to improve: "I can honestly say that my mental health has improved more by regularly attending the reading clubs than all the medical assistance put together." See the full list of reads Inspire a child, be a Reading Hero Each week, dozens of volunteers read with looked-after children; either one-to-one, or in small groups. Our work with these children spans the whole of Liverpool, and we're always on the lookout for more heroes to join the team! This month we share with you  a personal story from Phill, a longstanding volunteer and Reading Hero. "He always seems to look forward to my visits, as do I!" says Phill. Read Phill's Story   Coming soon... The Reader Magazine is returning in March! We are so excited we couldn't wait to tell you. That's all we can say for now, but keep your eyes peeled online and in The Reader shop for more coming soon. Belgium Partnership The first Shared Reading training courses in Belgium took place in 2013. Since then, Het Lezerscollectief  - inspired by The Reader’s work in the UK - has been developing Dutch-language Shared Reading projects in Flanders. Dirk Terryn from Het Lezerscollectief, said: “We’re very glad that our ‘letter of friendship‘ has now evolved into a partnership that will help us to learn from each other" Read more about the partnership 'It was good to have something again'   Callam was recommended to try Shared Reading by his Occupational Therapist. He has attended the group for almost a year now and has recently trained to become a Reader Leader himself with the view to set up a group in his local area. "Attending the group felt like a way of ‘getting out there’ again, and it is now a weekly thing for me to enjoy'" said Callam. Read Callam's Story   February's Books, Plays and Poems It might be the most romantic month of the year, but this month’s selections feature lots of other things besides love. There’s a mixture of classic and contemporary with our longer texts for this month, including an extract from a Dicken's novel that has recently been adapted for film.  Discover our February books, plays and poems   The Reader is supported by Copyright © 2019 The Reader Charity Number 1126806 (Scotland SCO43054), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have signed up to The Reader's newsletter mailing list. Our mailing address is: The Reader, Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Merseyside L18 3JB, United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

View this email in your browser   Always a night from old to new! Night and the healing balm of sleep! Each morn is New Year's morn come true, Morn of a festival to keep. From New Year's Morning By Helen Hunt Jackson.   Welcome to the first Reader newsletter of 2020! In this, our first issue of the new decade, we have news of the return of outdoor theatre to our home in Calderstones Park and we look back at Jane's 2019 TEDx talk. We share stories from some of the people powering the Reading Revolution across the UK, including the London volunteer who was recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours list. We also have details of what's happening at the Storybarn this half term, along with our latest job opportunities and, of course, the books, plays and poems of the month. Shakespeare's Globe comes to Calderstones The Reader is bringing Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour to our home in Calderstones Park, Liverpool, this June, with a programme of four outdoor performances over three days. Shakespeare’s Globe Touring Ensemble will offer audiences at Calderstones a choice of three plays, each exploring themes of nature, the city and the places beyond: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It and The Tempest. In keeping with tradition – and with thrilling unpredictability – the choice of play will be put back into the hands of the most powerful members of the house – the audience. The crowd will be asked to cheer, clap and shout to vote for the play they want to see.   Enjoy outdoor theatre at Calderstones this June Jane Davis TEDx Liverpol Back in November, our founder and director, Jane Davis, took to the stage at TEDx Liverpool to tell the world about Shared Reading's power to help us connect and to feel better. Jane and our patron, Frank Cottrell Boyce, were among an eclectic line up of speakers with “ideas worth spreading" who inspired a packed audience at the ACC Liverpool. Watch Jane at TEDxLiverpool 'It is a great, mind-broadening experience and often my own views are challenged.' Damien has been part of the Wirral Shared Reading community for over a decade. Read his story to discover how he got involved and the positive impact that Shared Reading has had on his life. Read Damien's Story Flights of Fancy at the Storybarn Saturday 15 - Sunday 23 February Tickets £3.50 per person. Under 1s go free! Join the Storyhunters on a quest for myths, legends, fairy tales and all things magical! Explore the hidden depths of the Storybarn, from dungeons and dragons to fairies from faraway lands. Whether we're crafting our own mythical story, or embarking on daring quests, bring your courage and imagination. Incy Wincy Rhymers, for ages 0 - 3, is a fantastic opportunity for little ones to discover new rhymes, sing-a-long, be creative and get involved with take-home crafts. The Storyhunters, for ages 3 - 8, will get the youngsters to explore their imaginations and will take them on a theatrical, literature based adventure in the magical surroundings of The Storybarn. Book your tickets Queen honours London Volunteer Kate Fulton, a former media lawyer who gave up her career in 2005 to concentrate on voluntary work for The Reader, has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the community in the London Borough of Barnet. Kate’s story with The Reader began in 2011 when she sat in on a group at health and social care organisation, Jewish Care. Following the session, Kate enrolled on The Reader’s transformative training programme, Read to Lead, before becoming a fully-fledged Reader Leader in 2016.   Read Kate's Story   January's Books, Plays and Poems This month’s books, plays and poems feature a selection from across the ages, dating all the way back to the 16th century. As we move forward into a new decade, take a look back through the centuries at a diverse collection which explores a range of themes, from emotional upheaval to perspectives on marriage and politics.   This month’s titles include extracts from Julius Caesar and Middlemarch, as well as a selection of poetry that will take you on a transformational journey from winter to spring. Discover our January reads   Join the Reading Revolution! We're currently looking for people to join our catering, events and heritage teams here at our Calderstones HQ. If you - or someone you know - is looking for an opportunity to make a difference then we want to hear from you! See our website for details of all our live job vacancies. See our Jobs   The Reader is supported by Copyright © 2019 The Reader Charity Number 1126806 (Scotland SCO43054), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have signed up to The Reader's newsletter mailing list. Our mailing address is: The Reader, Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Merseyside L18 3JB, United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 

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And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. From 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore. Welcome to the last Reader newsletter of 2019! We have literary gifts in store for you this December. Thank you to all of our partners, volunteers and supporters who have supported the Reading Revolution this year. In 2020 we're looking forward to bringing more people together and books to life, re-launching The Reader Magazine and launching our Spring/Summer programme at Calderstones. A gift for you - our Home For Christmas poetry anthology to download and share. Let us know what you think by using #SharedReading to talk to us on Twitter or Instagram. If you're still looking for gifts to give this festive season, you can help support the work we do by gifting a Reader Friends Membership this Christmas. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from everyone at The Reader! Home for Christmas The Reader team has been counting down the days to Christmas the only way we know how - with a poetry advent calendar in the entrance hall at our HQ. For those who haven't been able to pop over to Calderstones Park to take their pick - we've pulled together a special collection for you to download and share. Whether you are involved in Shared Reading or not - we hope you'll love the poems we've picked for you this festive season. Download our Home For Christmas anthology The Penny Readings 2019 This year’s Penny Readings took place for the first time in our new home at the Mansion House in Calderstones Park as a thank you to our incredible volunteers and friends. Alongside The Reader’s founder and director Jane Davis on Saturday night was patron and author Frank Cottrell Boyce, BBC North West Tonight’s Mairead Smyth, BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Philips. Read more about the event Leonie trained with us two years ago at “an unplanned crossroads” in her life. Since then, she has run two Shared Reading groups where she lives in North Derbyshire, including one in sheltered housing accomodation. The “small but fantastic” group have read poems from Emily Dickinson to Simon Armitage, and have built strong bonds - “this has created a wonderful blending of ideas and sentiments with a group of residents who previously didn’t know each other – even though they live in the same place.” Read Leonie's Reader Story 'It gave so much to me that I wanted to give the same joy back to others.' Shared Reading is a great way to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation - never is this so important to many of us as at Christmas. Read our article in this month's SAGA magazine to find out more. “At this time of year – as the days get shorter and darker – the need for connection and meaning-making is, for many of us, at its strongest. Getting together around great literature is an ideal way to meet this need and beat the winter blues. There’s never been a better time to give it a go!” Read the article Give the gift of Friendship You can help support The Reader this Christmas, and spread the word about Shared Reading, by gifting a Reader Friends Membership. With a welcome gift, priority booking for selected events and 20% discount on all purchases at The Reader Café and Ice Cream Parlour, a Friends membership is the perfect gift for the book-lover in your life! Email  to find out more. Email us The Reader is supported by Copyright © 2019 The Reader Charity Number 1126806 (Scotland SCO43054), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have signed up to The Reader's newsletter mailing list. Our mailing address is: The Reader, Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Merseyside L18 3JB, United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 

 

 

O hushed October morning mild, Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild, Should waste them all. October by Charles Dickens As October comes to an end and the clocks go back, our minds are on last-minute, half-term holiday plans. While the Storybarn's Spooky Roots sessions and Wondrous Welly Walks have limited availability - we might just be able to squeeze you in if you're quick - and there's lots more to explore at The Reader at Calderstones over the next week... Liverpool-based dance company Movema are hosting two new, energetic storytelling workshops - one for adults and one for the whole family - plus, there's yoga in our Studio and a brand-new Shared Reading group that will take you around the world with poetry. Looking further ahead, Shared Reading favourite George Eliot would have turned 200 in November, so we're celebrating throughout the month - read on for all the details and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our latest announcements. Moving Tales: Storytelling dance workshop for adults Monday 28 October, 6pm - 7pm £5, pre-book online Join this special workshop for adults run by the Liverpool-based dance company Movema, who are known for their high-energy and fun classes, choreographed and taught by global experts. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Book Tickets Moving Tales: Storytelling dance workshop for families Friday 1 November, 2pm - 3pm £3.50, pre-book online A family-friendly dance workshop that uses the body to tell stories from across the world, suitable for adults and children (5+). Accessible and inclusive, this class explores different cultures through the joy of dance. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Book Tickets George Eliot in the World: Conversation and reading Friday 22 November, 7pm - 8.30pm, Free, pre-book online Join Professor Alison Liebling from the University of Cambridge and the University of Liverpool's Professor Philip Davis as they ask how George Eliot can help us think about some of the hardest problems in today’s world. Book Tickets George Eliot at 200: Reader Day Saturday 23 November, 10am - 4.30pm, £50, pre-book online It’s 200 years since Marian Evans was born, daughter of an estate manager, near Nuneaton. That midlands country girl grew up to be one of the world’s greatest writers, George Eliot, and this day is a celebration of her life and work. Book Tickets A Poetry World Trip Every Wednesday, 4pm - 5pm Free, drop in Travel across the globe using great poetry as your guide - explore places you might never have been, see things you might not otherwise see.  Perhaps you’d like to come along before joining our Language Café, happening at the Mansion House straight after. Find out more The Friday Flow - Yoga @ The Mansion House Every Friday, 5pm - 6pm £5, pre-book online ‘We think by feeling’, Theodore Roethke wrote. Join us for an energising Vinyasa yoga flow class to end the week. It uses breath and continuous, repeated movements to help enable more feeling, less thinking. Suitable for beginner to intermediate level. Book Tickets Practice with Poetry - Yoga @ The Mansion House Every Saturday, 10am - 11.30am £7.50, pre-book online A gentle yoga practice, followed by 15 to 30 minutes sharing a selected poem together – expand body and mind, and connect to the world we live in. Suitable for people who are new to both yoga and poetry. Book Tickets Be part of the next chapter Want to make amazing things happen? We’re looking for people of all skills, interests and ages to help make the Mansion House a home. Maybe you saw a show in the Garden Theatre, celebrated your wedding here, or walk the dog in the park. Whatever memories you have, help make more for future generations and become part of a warm family. Find out more Hire a space and make a difference The magnificent 1940s Garden Theatre is back to its former glory and is now a licensed space for events. You can hire it for family celebrations and corporate occasions, and we can even lay on a spread from our new catering kitchen. There's the Studio at Calderstones for wellbeing activities, the Making Room for crafts, and many more spaces besides. We have dedicated parking, AV, whatever your requirements – just ask! Find out more The Reader at Calderstones is supported by Copyright © 2019 The Reader Charity Number 1126806 (Scotland SCO43054), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have signed up to The Reader's newsletter mailing list. Our mailing address is: The Reader, Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Merseyside L18 3JB, United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.