Awen Cultural Trust will launch the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge and Awen Libraries’ summer programme of activities with a fun-filled, family event at Newbridge Fields in Bridgend on Saturday 5th July from 12 – 3pm. The event is supported by Bridgend County Borough Council.
‘Fun in the Park’ will include movement and dance sessions, inflatables and soft play, craft activities, story times and story walks, a treasure hunt, giant games and sunflower seed planting. All activities are provided free of charge.
Awen Libraries staff will be on hand to help children and their parents, grandparents or carers register for the Summer Reading Challenge, which this year has the theme of ‘Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors’.
Children – usually aged between 4 and 11 years old, although older and younger people can participate too – are encouraged to read six or more library books during the school summer holidays, to earn rewards including stickers, medals and certificates.
Research shows that children’s enjoyment and engagement in reading for pleasure is in decline, despite it being the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success; more important than either parent’s educational background or household income.
It is hoped the Story Garden theme will inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading-based events and activities, which explore the connection between storytelling, nature and wildlife, to minimise any dip in reading skills.
Following the launch, libraries across Bridgend County Borough will run a programme of free events including The Phoenix Comic drawing workshops, puppetry stories with Skirrid Mountain Productions, storytelling by Tamar Williams, Zack Franks Movement and Dance workshops and Mad Science.
There will also be weekly Story and Craft sessions at Y Nyth in Bryngarw Country Park, every Tuesday and Thursday from 22nd July until 28th August. These sessions will need to be pre-booked via www.awenboxoffice.com as spaces are free but limited.
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:
“The Summer Reading Challenge is one of our most anticipated annual events, enjoyed by thousands of children and young people across Bridgend County Borough every year. Our library colleagues do a great job of organising a fantastic Fun in the Park launch, followed by a programme of free activities, which I would encourage all families to take full advantage of.
“There is a serious side to the Summer Reading Challenge, however. Sadly, 1 in 4 children cannot read well by the age of 11. This significantly limits their life skills and future choices, so we are committed to doing all we can within our libraries and local communities to combat the reduction in children’s literacy levels during the school holidays.”
The council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Social Services, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jane Gebbie, said:
“We know children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure, impacting their learning at the start of the next school year. The annual Summer Reading Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity for young readers to get excited about books and reading in a fun and engaging way.
“This year’s ‘Story Garden’ theme offers children a chance be inspired by nature, make the most of outdoor adventures and read some fascinating facts about the natural world and best of all, it is completely free! Please pop down to your local library to find out more.”
The Summer Reading Challenge in Wales is supported by Welsh Government and Books Council of Wales.
