Summer Family Fun Days in Preston

Families are invited to come along to two special free events

Saturday 14 August

In Avenham Park and in the Pavilion Café

12noon – 3pm

The first of these special events takes place in the beautiful setting of Avenham Park where families are invited to join in storytelling and illustration workshops full of inspiration and fun, exploring themes around family and what family means to them.

The fun starts at 12 noon and the storytelling sessions are every hour, on the hour and last 45 mins. (E.g. performances at 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm.) They are free to join in and everyone is welcome. There is no need to book tickets. Everyone is welcome to bring along their own deckchairs or picnic blankets to enjoy the show.

Artist Hannah Robinson will also be running creative illustration workshops exploring what family means to you. Everyone can have a go at creating their own artwork with Hannah’s expert guidance. These are drop-in workshops with no need to book and all materials are provided.

Harris staff will also be on hand to chat to families about what they’d like to see at the Harris in the future.

TV and theatre Actor, Melanie Ash who has appeared in Emmerdale, Casualty and The Bay will be leading the drama and storytelling workshops. 

Melanie Ash said, “As a child I spent many happy hours at the library and museum so it’s really special for me to be working with the Harris to deliver these informal workshops around the themes of family and belonging. It’s something that’s really close to my heart so I can’t wait to inspire the next generation of book lovers (and their grown-ups) with these fun and informal drama based and storytelling workshops/performances in the iconic Avenham Park.”

Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet member for arts and culture at Preston City Council, added: “We’re delighted to have these Summer Family Fun Days for everyone to enjoy and would like to thank Melanie and Hannah for bringing their expertise to these events. There’s also be a great opportunity for people to chat to Harris staff about what changes you’d like to see to make the library and museum more family friendly. 

You can also find out how you can keep in touch with the exciting £10.4m Harris Your Place project and follow its journey from now until its completion in 2024.”

The second event takes place on Saturday 4 September in the Harris. You are welcome to come along to both (or just one) of these Family Fun days.

More information on our website

https://www.theharris.org.uk/product/summer-family-fun-days/