SUMMER fun for all the family was held up at Launceston’s Castle Green by the local library team.

Launceston Library, now part of Launceston Town Council, have run a couple of summer events for families, with more planned as part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. On Thursday, August 19, at 10am, Kerry Jo Gardiner from KJs Entertainment held a workshop in the Castle grounds. This is the second session where Kerry has provided a scarf juggling and gymnastic ribbon workshop for the older children and Rhyme time sing along for the babies and toddlers. People may recognise Kerry as a local fitness instructor and from entertaining at events across the county with husband and magician, Magic Martin.

Families said it was great to see live entertainment in the Castle grounds again and children with big smiles on their faces for the event.

On Saturday, August 21, people could join in a clay workshop, as well as help paint instruments made from recycled materials for Launceston’s Community Junk Band. These library events were held outdoors with a focus on nature and enjoying being outside this year as part of its WWF-sponsored Summer Reading Challenge ‘Wild World Heroes’.

Andi Snook, senior library and information assistant, said: “Kerry Jo is Magic Martin’s wife, and she normally runs our library baby group. Due to COVID we haven’t run those sessions inside the library in a while, but families would like to meet up, and the Castle seemed a good option.

“Starting at 10am she signed for little ones, and then at 11am she taught older children how to juggle scarves. The library has funded the two events as part of our Summer Reading Challenge ‘Wild World Heroes’. Reading six books earned children a folder, stickers and a medal. This year’s theme was nature based, prompting children to think about looking after woodland, wildlife and ways to look after the planet. The reading folder children worked through to collect stickers, looked at environmental problems, and solutions like recycling and ways to use less plastic.”

Opening hours were extended during the week so that children have more time to visit the library to choose their six books, pick up a folder and stickers along with their medal for reading.