September - December 2014

Whats On
Calderstones Mansion
Get in Touch
Visit our website: www.thereader.org.uk
Email: calderstones@thereader.org.uk
Phone: 0151 729 2200
Follow us on Twitter:
@thereaderorg & @caldiesmansion
Follow us on Facebook:
/thereaderorg & /calderstonesmansion
Sign up to our mailing list by emailing:
calderstones@thereader.org.uk
The Reader Organisation
Calderstones Mansion, Calderstones Park
Liverpool L18 3JB
Davis Jones (Front / Inside Cover)
Welcome to the Autumn/ Winter
guide for Calderstones Mansion House. We hope youll
enjoy the variety of events we have lined up to bring
this great building to life. As ever, the purpose of our
being here is to support the work of The Reader
Organisation, a national charity aiming to bring about
a Reading Revolution connecting people and
communities through shared reading of great literature.
Our aim is to turn Calderstones Mansion into the
International Centre for Reading and Wellbeing. Its a big
task, but were excited to be making a start. If youd like
to know more about what we do or are keen to
support us then feel free to contact us - there are
plenty of contacts to choose from throughout this
booklet; and wed certainly love to hear from you.

If you havent had a taste of shared reading yet
please do! Our doors are always open to anyone
wanting to take part in our groups theres no pressure
to read aloud, you can simply enjoy being read to.
We have groups for all ages and the days and times
are now at your fngertips

Autumn and Winter are creeping in and we hope our
events compliment the changing seasons with something
for everyone. Whether youre a serious reader
and fancy a day delving into one of our short courses,
a (very) brave ghost hunter spending the night at our
Halloween ghost hunt, or gleefully counting down to
the Christmas festivities with visits from Santa and local
choirs carolling through the house. There are plenty
more events to enjoy and some particularly good
heritage days if youd like to know a little more about
the house itself.
Most of all Id encourage you to come on in and talk
to us we want to spread the word about the work
we do and to welcome you into our home here.
Jane
Dr Jane Davis MBE,
Director and Founder
Come in, come in! and know me better, man! I am the
Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me! You have never
seen the like of me before! - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
House Tours
10:30am every Monday
1:30pm every Thursday
Cost 3 Tours last approximately 1 Hour
Now weve told you a bit about what we do
- come and see where we are! Join our Heritage
Stories Maker Richard for tours of The Mansion
House every Monday and Thursday. Tour numbers
are limited and pre-booking is advised.
Heritage Open Days
Thursday 11th 14th September
10:30am & 1:30pm daily
Celebrate the history of our beautiful building with
free tours of the House and surrounding park each
day at 10.30am and 1.30pm culminating in our very
own 1940s Tea Dance.
1940s Tea Dance
Sunday 14th September
1pm 5pm
Free Entry
Re-live a 40s Holiday at Home.
In the 1940s the Mansion House became
a community hub for war-weary public to let
their hair down. Entry is free, swing dance taster
sessions, 1940s - style live music and a selection
of teas, coffees, cakes and sandwiches will be availa-
ble to purchase.
Heritage Walks
Calderstones Time Walk
Sunday 5th October
1pm 2:30pm
Cost 5
Join local environmental historian Ken Sloan
for this interactive time walk around
Calderstones Park, entering the vestibule
of the Stones and connecting with Liverpools
oldest heritage monuments.
Calderstones to
Cunard
Saturday 15th November
1pm 2:30pm
Cost 5
Join Richard as he takes you on a fantastic
journey through the history of Calderstones
Park, from the Stones themselves through to
Liverpool Shipping magnate Charles Maclver.
For more information on any of our heritage
offerings contact Richard Macdonald on:
0151 729 2200 or email
richardmacdonald@thereader.org.uk
Historical
Calderstones

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Special Events
at Calderstones
North West Conker Championship
Saturday 4th October
10am - 4pm
Entry Fee: 4 adults / 2.50 child & concession / Spectator: Free
They came, they saw they conkered! Join us at the Mansion House for our newly launched
North West Conker Championship! If youve always wanted a gold medal but havent quite managed
to get to the Olympics, this is your chance to join us and reign victorious. Bring along your conkers
and face the competition for a great fun flled day with some brilliant prizes
Liverpool Irish Festival at the Mansion House
Tuesday 28th October
1pm - 2:30pm
4 per child (for ages 5-10)
Celebrate Liverpools Irish Festival by coming along to Calderstones Mansion for a special Celtic
story session. For the bravest readers among you, we will be jumping into fantasy worlds flled with giants,
monsters and untold terror, created by your favourite Irish authors. We will then fnish the session with
a gruesome Monster Making Workshop, where we will be making models and masks.

Find out about availability and booking at: http://www.thereader.org.uk/events
For more Information contact Abigail Leader:
abigailleader@thereader.org.uk or call 0151 729 2200
Weekly Shared Reading
Groups for Adults
MONDAY
10:00am - 11:30am
Book at Breakfast
Start the week with Beth and a hearty breakfast of
stories, poems and discussion, along with a generous
helping of tea and crumpets.
WEDNESDAY
10:00am - 11:30am
Book at Breakfast
Join Siobhan for the second breakfast shared
reading session of the week, delving into some
fantastic short stories and poems.
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Book A Break
(for people with a long term health condition)
Take some time for yourself and relax
with a cup of tea and some great stories.
Each week well have a chat while sharing stories
in a friendly informal group.
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Time To Unwind
(For carers and those they care for)
Take some time for yourself and escape into a book
with our reading group. Whether you come alone
or with someone you care for, this group is a place
for you to relax and unwind.
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Time for Me
The perfect end to a busy day. Read aloud or listen
as the group explores a wide range of literature,
from classic novels to modern poetry.
THURSDAY
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Relax With a Book
(For Over 50s)
Whether youre a bookworm or a reluctant reader,
this group is for you. Come along to share stories
and poems over a cup of tea.
FRIDAY
10:00am - 11:30am
Friday Morning Reading group
Join Jane Davis for this Friday morning,
shared reading session currently reading
Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. All welcome.
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Family Matters
Join Esther for this weekly shared reading group
and enjoy some literary greats, all exploring the
idea of family.
There is no need to book on to any of our adult groups - just come and join us!
Our shared reading groups for adults are free but donations are welcome.
Weekly Shared Reading
Groups for Children and Young People
TUESDAY
4:00pm - 5:30pm
The Book Thieves
(Age 10+)
Explore some explosive stories and get creative
with crafts at this weekly group for older and
teenage readers.
THURSDAY
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Caldies Explorers
(Age 5 - 10)
Join Siobhan in this after school reading session.
Explore new books, make adventurous crafts,
and have lots of fun!
FRIDAY
10:00am - 11:00am
Tiny Reads
(Under 5s and parents/carers)
An hour of picture books, fairy tales, rhymes
and songs to entertain the little ones - and you!
SATURDAY
10:00am - 11:30am
Caldies Creatives
(Age 7 - 12)
Packed with the funniest stories, thought provoking
poems and tons of crafts and games, our shared
reading groups for children and young people are
full of energy and excitement.
A suggested donation of 2 covers craft materials for each event
A suggested donation of 2 covers craft materials for each event
For more information on any of the reading groups
call 0151 729 2200 or contact siobhanmealey@thereader.org.uk
Read to Re-charge
Led by Clare Ellis
Saturday 20th September
10am - 4pm
30 (15 concessions)
The summer holidays may feel a million miles away,
but theres always a haven for you to retreat to here
at Calderstones! Sink into the luxury of a day of
reading for pleasure, reading for relaxation, reading
for you! The perfect opportunity to re-charge your
batteries, and return better to face all that your
busy life brings your way.
Feel the Fear and Read it Anyway
Led by Helen Wilson
Saturday 25th October
10am - 4pm
30 (15 concessions)
Halloweens on the horizon, and its hard to turn
for spooks and scares. With sales of horror fction
as high as ever, it seems that many of us seek out a
readerly fright in our book choices. But beyond the
ghouls and the gore, is there a different kind of fear
that reading tunes us in to? And can great literature
help us face our demons?
Around the World in 80 Pages
Led by Casi Dylan
Saturday 22nd November
10am - 4pm
30 (15 concessions)
Intrepid-explorer, world-adventurer, time-traveller:
a reader is all of these things. Come join us this
November on a wonderous days tour of the best
writing from across the globe. From prose to poetry
to the fnest travel fction, this course will convince
you that every book is in fact a travel book.
Its like going on holiday without
packing your bags. - George, vfull-time
carer, on his experience of shared reading
Dickens at Christmas
Led by Angela Macmillan
Saturday 13th December
9:30am - 12:30pm
15 (10 concessions)
As Christmas is all about family, there is probably
none better than Dickens, who practically invented
Christmas, to throw light on the concept of family.
Drawing on extracts from some of his fnest books,
we will consider the meaning of family not just for
Christmas but for life.
Short Courses for Serious Readers
For more information on upcoming courses,
or to book a place please contact Jennifer Kelly at:
jenniferkelly@thereader.org.uk or call 0151 729 2200
HalloWeen at CaLDERSTONES!
Night Vision Investigates
Friday 24th October
8pm until late...
30 (suitable for ages 18+)
Dare you join us for this late night ghost hunt
beneath the Mansion? Have you ever wanted to step
into the shoes of a ghost hunter? Join Night Vision
Investigations as they give you a crash course in
ghost hunting. Youll learn the skills and knowledge
to conduct a paranormal investigation and using
their scientifc equipment you will hopefully
capture evidence of paranormal activity.
No actors are involved, this is a REAL investigation.
Pumpkin Carving
Saturday 25th - 31st October
11am - 4pm
5

Head into our spooky garden, pass the ghosts
and ghouls and pick your own pumpkin.
Carve or paint it at the Mansion, then take it home
to scare your friends
Prizes for best fancy dress!
SoMEtHing Goes BuMp
in the ManSioN!
Tuesday 28th & 30th October at 7pm
Friday 31st October at 8pm
90 mins (suitable for ages 14+)
5
Not for the faint of heart! Join Dr Grimm as he
takes you on this theatrical ghostly tour of the
Mansion House will you encounter ghosts of
times gone by and what is it going bump in the
night? A fun flled evening with plenty
to make you jump!
Find out about availability and booking at:
http://www.thereader.org.uk/events
Or contact Roisin Hyland
roisinhyland@thereader.org.uk
or call 0151 729 2200
HalloWeen at CaLDERSTONES!
The Book Thieves
Tuesday 28th October
4pm - 5:30pm
For the most fearless among you only!
Come in your best Halloween get-up to our
special Haunted Mansion session especially for
teens. We will be quivering through some Anthony
Horowitz classics before embarking on a Spooky
Scavenger Hunt around the house.
CaLdies ExploRers
Thursday 30th October
Special Edition: 4pm - 5:30pm
Welcome to the Calderstones Academy for Witches
and Wizards! Put on your best Halloween face
and come for a session of mind-boggling trickery
and witchery as we read The Worst Witch and
conduct our wand-making workshop.
Tiny Reads
Friday 31st October
Special Edition: 10am - 11am
Bring your tiny terrors along with you to our
crafty story session! We will be reading some of
our favourite toe-tingling stories Room on the
Broom, Meg and Mog and the Funnybones,
and creating some pointy hats for tiny witches
and wizards.
CAldies CreaTives
Saturday 1st November
10am - 11:30am

A special Saturday at Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry! Read all about the
latest goings-on in the world of wizards and
come and take part in Professor Snapes Potion
Class, deep in the dungeon of Hogwarts Castle
Find out about availability and booking at:
http://www.thereader.org.uk/events
Or contact Siobhan Mealey
siobhanmealey@thereader.org.uk
or call 0151 729 2200
PERfect for Half Term HorRors!
A suggested donation of 2 covers craft materials for each event
City of Readers
Readers are astonishingly creative. Danny Boyle and I created the Olympic
Opening Ceremony from all the thoughts and imagination books had given
us over the years. - Frank Cottrell Boyce, Writer
City of Readers is the Liverpool Learning
Partnerships campaign to transform Liverpool
into the UKs foremost reading city.
City of Readers is here to develop a generation
of readers who will take the power of great books
into the future. Nationally, more than 22%
of children rarely or never read a book in their
own time. Yet we know that people who read for
pleasure not only do better at school but are also
more creative.
We want every child who has the ability to do
so to learn to love reading. That means growing up
with reading as an enjoyable part of every day life,
sharing stories, talking about books, and surrounded
by adults who love reading.
Were going to highlight reading and readers
everywhere across the city, bringing books and
people together in public, so we can all see who
is reading what, where!
Its Liverpool - so carry a book!
www.cityofreaders.org
To help build a City of Readers, were asking
everyone in Liverpool to Give Us 5 for reading.
Give Us 5 Minutes
The most important way you can help build a
City of Readers is to give 5 minutes every day
and read to someone you care for - a child or
grandchild, brother or sister, friend or neighbour.
Let us know what youre reading on Twitter:
@LivCityReaders
Give us 5 (or 50 or 500 or 5000!)
You can donate safely and securely online to the
Reader Organisations Virgin Money donation page.
Log on here at:
www.thereader.org.uk/make-a-donation
Please email Emma Melling after you have
donated so we can make sure your money goes
towards our City of Readers Campaign.
You can also send a cheque to:
City of Readers
Calderstones Mansion House
Calderstones Park
Liverpool L18 3JB
Your donation will help us bring books and people
together across Liverpool.
Give Us 5 Books
If youve got books sitting unread on your shelves
gathering dust, then why not bring them back to life
and donate them to City of Readers?
You can drop books off at Calderstones Mansion
House between 9 - 5, Monday - Friday.
Give us 5 Online
Record yourself reading your favourite story or
poem aloud, see our website for more details.
Give us 5....?
If youve got any more ideas about what you can
give us get in touch by contacting Emma Melling
emmamelling@cityofreaders.org
The Reader Organisation is proud to be a partner
of Liverpool, City of Readers.
www.cityofreaders.org
Give us 5
Depictions of Land and Sea
by Carol Miller and Jackie Wagg
Thursday 4th - 11th September
10.00am - 5.00pm daily
Private View
Thursday 4th September
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Before we take to the sea, we walk on land...
before we create we must understand
- Ernest Hemmingway
A new and beautiful exhibition showcasing the
work of local artists organised by dot-art.
Please see www.dot-art.com
or call 0845 017 6660 for more details.

Above and Beneath
Paintings by Josie Jenkins
and Peter Appleton
Saturday 13th - 28th September
11:00am - 5:00pm daily
Private View
Friday 12th September
6:00pm - 9:00pm - open to all
Both artists are drawn to the less glamorous
parts of the landscape; wasteland, industrial units,
lonely, maybe even sad places. The focus is not just
to impart an image but also a feeling for a place -
a sense of place. Not just what you can see on
the surface but what lies underneath the things
we see; hence Above and Beyond.

Threading Dreams
Textiles from destitute Women at the
Sreepur Village also local mothers
in rural Bangladesh
Monday 29th September - 5th October
11:00am - 4:00pm daily
An exhibition of Textiles including traditional
Bangladesh Kantha quilts all made by the
women who live at the Sreepur Village Orphanage
and Womens Refuge also the mothers from the
local villages in rural Bangladesh. The work is
beautiful and very colourful, all worked by mothers
who have lived in adverse poverty
Art from the square
Autumn Exhibition
Monday 6th - 19th October
10.00am - 5.00pm daily
Local professionally trained artists show an eclectic
selection of their latest work including paintings,
drawings and their own manually produced prints.
Merseyside Artists Association
Autumn Exhibition
Monday 20th October - 3rd November
10:00am - 4:00pm daily
The Association welcomes painters from all
over Merseyside. We will be showing some of
the pictures they have worked on since our
Spring Show.
Sunflowers Charity
Monday 4th - 9th November
10:00am - 4:00pm daily
A beautiful showcase of work, from artists using
art as an outlet for emotion and creativity.
The Reader Gallery

South Liverpool Arts Group
Winter Exhibition
Monday 17th - 23rd November
10:00am - 4:00pm
A welcome return to The Reader Gallery for
this well-established local arts group and their
diverse and eye catching work.
A Calidad Christmas
Tuesday 25th - 30th November
10am to 5pm daily
Private View
Tuesday 25th November
5pm to 7pm - Open to all
Mike of Calidad Canvas is a Liverpool artist
who captures local landmarks and landscapes
in watercolour, acrylic and oils.
Jan of Calidad Creations designs and makes
contemporary, handmade jewellery using
Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones.
Join them both in the Gallery, in the run up to
Christmas, to browse and buy quality gifts for
the festive season.
See their work at: www.calidadcanvas.co.uk
and www.calidadcreations.co.uk
Art from the square
Winter Exhibition
Monday 1st -14th December
10:00am - 4:00pm
Local professionally trained artists show an
eclectic selection of their latest work including
paintings, drawings and their own manually
produced prints.
Find out about availability and booking
by contacting Roisin Hyland at:
roisinhyland@thereader.org.uk
or call 0151 729 2200
Christmas at Calderstones
Santa Claus is coming to town!
Every Weekend
7.50 per child
Every weekend in December youll have the chance to visit Santa in his Grotto. Enjoy some merry shared
reading with Santas trusty elves and join in some Christmassy crafts while you wait. If youve been very
good youll have your own gift to take home too!
Merry Music
Every Weekend
Free entry
Step inside the Mansion House each weekend for a different musical treat
flling the air with all your favourite music for the festive season.
Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday 13th December
Free Entry
Join us for this Christmas craft fair and pick up the perfect gift or treat yourself to something special!
Weath Making Workshops
Saturday 20th December
10
Get into the festive spirit and create something special this Christmas.
Come and escape from the hustle of Christmas preparations and indulge yourself
in a creative experience. Join Roisin in this craft workshop making your very own wreath
to take home and decorate your door with pride. All materials are provided and included
in the cost. Dont forget your wreath will also make a great gift
Find out about availability and booking at: http://www.thereader.org.uk/events
Or contact Roisin Hyland roisinhyland@thereader.org.uk or call 0151 729 2200
Christmas at Calderstones
Penny Readings Festival at St Georges Hall
Sunday 21st December
The Penny Readings is our incredibly popular annual event, holding true to a well-established Victorian
tradition, popularised by Dickens. They have become a staple of the festive season in Liverpool,
with a spectacular show of reading, music and entertainment, including star names such as
David Morrissey, Janet Suzman and Alexei Sayle, all for the price of a penny. Since 2004,
the Penny Readings have reached over 500 people every year: from residents in care homes and hostels,
to keen theatre goers. In 2010, the Penny Readings became accompanied with the Hapenny Readings,
our family-friendly reading and entertainment event for children.
Tickets will be available soon and more information will be released on The Reader Organisation website.
For more information about the Penny Readings please contact Abigail Leader on:
abigailleader@thereader.org.uk
Tim Murray
Treat yourself at the Reader Cafe
Offering seasonal homemade breakfast, lunch,
soups and specials with hot drinks from 1.

The cafe is open:
Monday - Sunday
8:30am - 4:30pm
throughout Autumn / Winter
Treat yourself at the Reader Cafe Support Us:
Calderstones Patron
95 per year
All the benefits of standard membership plus:
A private tour for up to 4 people of the House and Garden.
A subscription to The Reader magazine.
Recognition in the annual report.
10% discount of room and garden hire.

You can find out more or register for either membership at the Mansion House.
Calderstones Membership
25 per year
Benefits:
A free tea or filter coffee every month in The Reader Caf.
Receive a copy of our Whats On Guide mailed through your door.
Discounted rate on a wide range of events at the Mansion and Garden.
Welcome gift of one of either Minted or Poems to Take Home.
You can support the work of The Reader Organisation
and our plans for the Mansion House by joining our membership scheme.

Monday
10:00am - 11:30am
Book at Breakfast
10:30am - 11:30am
House Tour / 3
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Yoga with Liz Miller / 5
Tuesday

4:00pm - 5:30pm
The Book Thieves (ages 10+)
Wednesday
10:00am - 11:30am
Book at Breakfast
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Book a Break
(For people with a long term health condition)
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Time to Unwind
(For carers and those they care for)
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Time for Me
Thursday
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Relax with a Book
(for over 50s)
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Mansion Tour / 3
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Caldies Explorers
(ages 5 - 10)
Friday
10:00am - 11:00am
Tiny Reads
(under 5s and parents/carers)
10:00am - 11:30am
Friday Morning Reading Group
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Family Matters
Saturday
10:00am - 11:30am
Caldies Creatives
(Ages 7 - 12)
Calderstones Calendar
Weekly Events

September
5th September
7:00pm
Purple coat Productions presents Twelfth Night
10, 8 concessions
11th - 14th September
10:30am -11:30am / 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Heritage open days house tours (free)
14th September
1:00pm - 5:00pm
1940s Tea dance (free)
20th September
10:00am - 4:00pm
Read to Re-charge
30, 15 concessions
October
4th October
10:00am - 4:00pm
North West Conker Championship
4, 2.50, spectators (free)
5th October
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Ken Sloans Calderstones Time Walk
5
24th October
8:00pm - late
Night Vision Investigates
30
25th October
10:00am - 4:00pm
Feel the Fear and Read it Anyway
30, 15 concessions
25th - 31st October
11:00am - 4:00pm
Pumpkin Carving
5
28th October
1pm - 2:30pm
Liverpool Irish Festival
4 per child (suitable for ages 5-10)
7:00pm
Something Goes Bump in the Mansion House
5
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Book Thieves Halloween Special
30th October
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Caldies Explorers Halloween Special
7:00pm
Something Goes Bump in the Mansion House
5
31st October
10:00am - 11:00am
Tiny Reads Halloween Special
8:00pm
Something Goes Bump in the Mansion House
5
November
1st November
10:00am - 11:30am
Caldies Creatives Halloween Special
14th November
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Calderstones to Cunard
5
22nd November
10:00am - 4:00pm
Around the World in 80 Pages
December
13th December
9:30am - 12:30pm
Dickens at Christmas
6th - 7th / 13th -14th / 20th December
10:00am - 4:00pm
Santa Claus is coming to town
7.50
10:00am - 4:00pm
Merry Music at the Mansion House (free)
13th December
10:00am - 4:00pm
Christmas Fair (free)
21st December
Penny Readings
Calderstones Calendar
Events by Month
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost
The Reader Organisation
0151 729 2200
info@thereader.org.uk
www.thereader.org.uk
Registered charity number: 1126806