Sunderland libraries launch Easter programme

A fun-filled programme is taking place at libraries in Sunderland during the Easter holidays.   

Activities for the whole family will take place from April 14 to 26 at the Creative Smart City Hubs at Houghton and Washington libraries and the City Library at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, as well as at the Expo Sunderland Pavilion at Keel Square.   

Most events are free to attend and there is a range of sessions for young people of all ages.  

Cllr Beth Jones, Cabinet Member of Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: "Easter is a great time for people to come together and I'm delighted we're able to deliver this bumper programme of activities that families across our city can enjoy."  

The activities spring into action with an Easter Egg Hunt where families can help find the Easter bunny's lost eggs. The hunt will take place throughout the holidays at the hubs in Houghton, and Washington and the City Library.   

Houghton and Washington hubs will each be running an Easter Film Club with a screening of Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit on Saturday, 19 April.   

On Saturday, 26 April, people at the Washington Hub and City Library can sit down at different times for a special storytelling session with illustrator and author Lucy Farfort as she reads her book, In Our Hands. Afterwards, participants can work with Lucy to create their character.   

Houghton Hub will also be hosting a storytelling session on Saturday, 26 April, as musician Ashleigh Lowes brings together singing, dancing, music-making and stories for an interactive session to read books and sing along. The session is aimed at children in their early years.   

Expo Sunderland Pavilion will host two events. To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, 22 April, families can enjoy an interactive workshop by Threads in the Ground and learn about the magical powers of mushrooms to build, make art, feed people and support the planet. Participants will also have the opportunity to write and illustrate a story on the windows of the Expo Sunderland Pavilion.   

On Saturday, 26 April, families can come together for some arty party family fun with the Art Cafe, allowing individuals to make, create, draw, play and party, letting their inner artist free.   

Other activities taking place across the holidays include Rhyme & Shine for under 4s; Easter themed crafts; digital art and animation sessions; Lego coding and Dungeons and Dragons. 

The programme is being delivered by Culture House Sunderland a multi-purpose cultural venue that will sit at the heart of Riverside Sunderland and is set open later this year.   

Culture House Sunderland aims to create a living room in the heart of the city where everyone feels welcome and loves to spend time. The venue will be home to the City Library, and will be packed with interactive, digital, educational features, with a year-round programme of things to do and see. 

The Easter activities are just one part of a year-round programme for people of all ages being delivered by Culture House Sunderland at its Creative Smart City Hubs at Washington and Houghton Libraries.   

More information about the events can be found at www.culturehousesunderland.co.uk/events.