Summer Fun in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Families can enjoy a fun, healthy and active summer in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Several organisations, including Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, are delivering special activities, sessions and events – which are either free or low cost in most cases – in addition to their standard facilities.
Cllr Craig Skelding, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said: “We want our communities to be healthy, happy and active and able to enjoy living in a safe environment, not just during the school holidays but throughout the entire year. The Council provides an outstanding suite of facilities so that residents of all ages, and also visitors, can enjoy an active and fulfilling experience in the borough.
“It’s very easy for youngsters to get bored during the long school break so we want to
encourage them to fill their spare time with fun and positive activities. I’m pleased to say that there is so much going on in Newcastle-under-Lyme, not just organised by the council, so I hope young people take advantage of the many opportunities available to them on their doorstep and have a brilliant time.”
The Brampton Museum, the Borough Council’s award winning heritage and culture venue, as daily trails, the popular retro toy display, a Victorian street and a family-friendly exhibition exploring rocks, minerals and soils – and how these natural resources have shaped Staffordshire – a series of themed workshops are available every Wednesday at 10.30am thanks to National Lottery players:
Beginners’ watercolour painting – 7 August – £5 per child
Play with clay – 21 August – £5 per child
Wild about Brampton – 28 August – £5 per child
Free tickets to these activities are available to families in need by contacting the museum.
The museum, which is free to enter and also has a tearoom, is based within the Green Flag Brampton Park where there is a bird aviary, sensory garden, children’s playground, poignant sculptures, a soft play centre and lots of green space to enjoy a picnic and a game of football. A miniature railway, operated by the North Staffordshire Model Engineering Society, runs free train rides on Sunday afternoons, and Wednesdays during the holidays, in return for a small donation. Free parking is available.
More information, including museum opening times and workshop pre-booking, is available here
A short distance away is the New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire’s only theatre-in-the-round. Young people, aged 10 to 15, are invited to take part in a “Play in a Week” experience from Monday, 29 July to Friday, 2 August
Younger children can celebrate the work of Frances Hodgson Burnett on Tuesday, 6 and Wednesday, 7 August through craft making and drama.
More information about both events is available on the New Vic’s website.
Meanwhile, youngsters can swim at Jubilee2 during school hours for just £2 per week. The Borough Council is providing a limited number of subsidised summer memberships – supported by funding from Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams – as part of Space 2024 which is delivered by a wide collaboration of public and voluntary organisations.
Eight to 16-year-olds, who live in or receive education in Newcastle-under-Lyme and have a Lyme Card, can use the Council’s swimming pool and gym every weekday from Monday, 29 July to Friday, 30 August (excluding Monday, 26 August) for just £10 per person.
There are limited spaces available from Jubilee 2’s reception on a first come, first served basis. Please see the booking instructions for more information.
A holiday swimming timetable will be in place at Jubilee2.
Other out of this world Space opportunities in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the surrounding area, include –
Free DJ workshops in the safe space, opposite Café Nero, in Newcastle town
centre – as well as Clough Hall Park – every week.
Multi-sports in Newcastle and Clough Hall Park.
Free tennis sessions at Clough Hall Park, Westlands Sports Ground and
Wolstanton Park, with equipment provided.
Complimentary comic book art and animation sessions with a professional artist at Brampton Museum on Tuesdays.
Free trampolining coaching , including disability-friendly sessions, at Chesterton
Community Sports College.
Climbing wall at Chesterton Park and Clough Hall Park on two dates.
Free practical studio sessions at Hitmix Radio, based at Alsagers Bank.
More information is available on the Space website
