Essex libraries are holding free events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publishing of Alice in Wonderland. Local libraries across the county are hosting a range of creative workshops at sixteen library venues, with the theme ‘Create Your Own Wonderland’. Children will be offered by all Essex libraries, a Wonderland trail and a chance to take part in a prize draw, with Alice goodies to be won. The celebration is from 24th October, running up to 21st November. Find more information in the website- essex.gov.uk/libraries, on the What’s New page.
Funding from the National Lottery, through the Arts Council England, launched the Down the Rabbit Hole project. Young volunteers were recruited by the libraries to work wit Helen Dodsworth, the artist, to design the workshops and trial. Four artists were selected to host the workshops. They are- decorating Mad Hatter hats by Jo Keay, decorating Mad Hatter house by Sarah Bracey, decorating a Cheshire cat by Marion Lindsay and making pop-up Wonderland cards by Becky Hurst.
Children can also take part dressed as their favourite character from the book with Alice themed Rhymes. Anyone can join in the free events by Essex libraries. They just have to post on the council’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, the front cover of their copy of Lewis Carroll’s classic book and say how old it is.
