Devon and Torbay Libraries gear up for a weekend of action with Fun Palaces 2018

Libraries across the county are gearing up for an action-packed weekend full of fun and frolics, with the annual Fun Palaces celebrations. Fun Palaces is a free, nationwide campaign taking place on 6th and 7th October 2018.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity responsible for running Devon and Torbay Libraries is committed to providing culture for all, and this year 31 of the charities 54 libraries will be holding their own free Fun Palaces for all to enjoy.

Fun Palaces promote community at the heart of culture and culture at the heart of community, through an annual weekend of action created by, for and with local people. Those hosting Fun Palaces are encouraged to combine arts, craft, science, tech, digital, heritage and sports activities to bring people and communities together. The events and activities are led by local people for local people, sharing their own passions and skills, as a catalyst for community-led transformation, with active participation for all ages.

Rachel Gee, Libraries Unlimited Service Development Manager said: “Libraries Unlimited first joined the Fun Palaces campaign in 2016 and it has been inspiring to see it grow in Devon ever since. Visitors to our libraries can expect everything from taking part in Tai Chi to making their own smoothies using a bike! Each participating library has something fun, free and community led. We love everything about Fun Palaces at Libraries Unlimited, not only do they bring people together, but they help communities to make positive change, share new skills and give everyone access to culture, art, science, technology and much more. We’re incredibly pleased and proud of all of our libraries that are getting involved in this year’s activities and we look forward to seeing lots of people in our libraries.”

Since 2014 a total of 934 Fun Palaces across the world have been made by 24,000 people (‘Makers’) with 340,000 taking part. 2018 marks the fifth Fun Palace weekend and is set to be the biggest weekend yet.

A full list of activities are participating libraries can be seen below:

Ashburton Library (hosted at Ashburton Arts Centre) – Saturday 6th October please click here for the full programme

Barnstaple Library– Saturday 6th October 10am-4pm – please click here for the full programme

Bideford Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -1pm. Laughter Yoga, Drawing Workshop, Lego Club, Patchworking.

Brixham Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -12.30pm. Card making, weaving, crochet, knitting, origami, craft, Lego and lots of fun! 

Churston Library – Saturday 6th October 2018 10am-12.30pm. Create a beach scene collage, Win a prize on our sea side trail, beach themed Lego Club.

Combe Martin Library – Saturday 6th October 2018 12pm -3pm. Belly Dancing Taster session

Crediton Library – Friday 5th and Saturday 6th October 2018 – please click here for the full programme

Dawlish Library – Saturday 6th October 2018 10am – 12.30pm. – please click here for the full programme

Exeter Library – Saturday 6th October and Sunday 7th October – please click here for the full programme

Exmouth Library – Saturday 6th October  10am – 3.30pm. Mosaic Making 10:00-13:00. Lego Club 10:30-11:30 Italian Folk Dancing 11:00-12:00 Lino Printing 13:30-14:00 and 14:00-14:30 British Sign Language 14:30-15:30

Holsworthy Library  – Saturday 6th October 10am -1pm. Willow weaving (including making Christmas tree ornaments), rag rug making, Citizen Science from the Westcountry Rivers Trust or learn how to use “looping” effects with a guitar as well as our regular Lego Club for children.

Honiton Library – Saturday 6th October 9.30am -12.30pm. There will be Fondant Fun with Christine – making toppers for cupcakes and a bit of icing……. and Creative Cardmaking with our very own Linda.

Ilfracombe Library – Saturday 6th October 10am – 1pm – please click here for the full programme

Ivybridge Library – Saturday 6th October 9.30am -12.30pm – please click here for the full programme

Kingsbridge Library  – Saturday 6th October 10am -1pm – Make something delicious with award winning Jamie Rogers of Restaurant 27. Write a limerick with South Ham Writers. Grab an egg with a computer controlled hand, with Kingsbridge Raspberry Pi group. Make something crafty with the Library Stitchers. Play with Bee Bots and enjoy a mini gadget show with Cosmic

Lynton Library – Saturday 6th October 10am-12pm.

Northam Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -12pm. 10am-11am Makaton workshop. 11.30-12.30 International Hour, mingle with speakers of other languages and learn some new words and phrases. 1-2 Try out musical instrument with Bideford Town Band.

Okehampton Library – Saturday 6th October 9.30am – 12pm. please click here for the full programme

Ottery St Mary Library

Paignton Library – Saturday 6th October please click here for the full programme

Passmore Edwards Centre, Newton Abbot – Saturday 6th October please click here for the full programme.

Seaton Library – Saturday 6th October 10am – 12.30 – please click here for the full programme, including African drumming!

Sidmouth Library – Saturday 6th October 10am – 1pm. Have a go at Tai Chi and make your own small electric motor kit with the Sidmouth Science Festival. 

South Molton Library – Saturday 6th October 9am -1pm. Expect music and dance. Fossils, Microbits, LEGO building, craft and more. Test out street dance moves with Dean from Masters Street Dance Company.

St Thomas Library – Saturday 6th October 2pm -2.45pm – Bamboo instrument fun for all the family with musician Dave Sawyer (spaces are limited, click here for your free ticket)

Tavistock Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -3pm – please click here for the full programme

Teignmouth Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -12pm – please click here for the full programme

The Hayridge, Cullompton Library – Saturday 6th October – please click here for the full programme

Tiverton Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -3pm. Wood carving, jewellery making, coding with a robot, learn chess, ballet be-fit, meet the Dog Trust four legged friend and find out what they do!

Torrington Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -12pm – please click here for the full programme.

Totnes Library – Saturday 6th October 10am -12pm.

All listed activities are subject to change at any time.