Snakes alive! It's the Peculiar Pop-up Story Shop (From Wirral Globe)

Snakes alive! It's the Peculiar Pop-up Story Shop

10:46am Monday 6th August 2012 in News By Geoff Barnes

A disused shop in Seacombe was transformed for a week into a den of delights for youngsters in the area.

The group enjoyed drama workshops at the Peculiar Pop-up Story Shop, a visit from the herpetological society with their collection of snakes, lizards and creepy crawlies and a healthy cooking and eating day, all underpinned by stories and games.

The scheme was hosted by the Reader Organisation, and was opened by the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Gerry Ellis.

Activities were co-ordinated with special visits by Wirral Council’s Library Service, the NHS oral health team, artists, story-makers and crafty cooks.

Councillor Pat Hackett, Wirral Council cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy said: “This sounds like a really fun week.

"The Empty Shops Fund was created to do much more than just fill space on Wirral’s high streets, and with help from our partners in the NHS and the Reader Organisation, the Peculiar Pop-Up Story Shop has provided a week packed with activities for children from Seacombe, and one which we hope they will remember fondly for a long time.”

Lynn Elsdon, Reader Organisation’s young person’s project worker, who organised the event said: “We’ve had a brilliant week letting our imaginations run wild with the cookery, creatures, and crafts and bringing a disused space to life with the stories and poems.

"The children have really enjoyed taking part and will hopefully be encouraged to carry on reading and being active for the rest of the summer.”

The week of events was open to twenty children aged eight to 11 and included readings from "A Little, Aloud for Children", an anthology of poems and stories for young people.

The collection's editor, Angela Macmillan, dropped by to read from the book.