Welcome to city’s summer of fun

The school summer holidays can seem like endless fun when you’re young, but they can be challenging if you’re the one responsible for keeping the children entertained.

If you’re two weeks in and wondering how you’re going to survive the next month, don’t worry, there’s lots happening in the city.

If you’re looking for something educational, the National Literacy Trust’s popup literacy hub on Bridge Street is worth a visit. Children can design posters, help write a Peterborough family cookbook, read a story in the book corner or take part in arts and crafts.

The pop-up shop is a great idea and builds on the excellent work of the National Literacy Trust which has contributed to a marked increase in the number of primary school children that enjoy reading.

Just across the road at Peterborough Museum they’re celebrating the works of Roald Dahl with a programme of events that includes the chance to explore outer space, make your own chocolate creation or have a go at circus skills.

If you’d like to get the children outdoors then Travelchoice’s summer fiesta could be the answer. Still to come is an outdoor cycle cinema showing of Disney Pixar’s Inside Out at Hampton on Saturday, followed by a carshare cinema screening of the latest Star Wars film at Peterborough Garden Park on 12 August. All the events are free and encourage people to use their cars less and walk, cycle or use other forms of transport that are less harm- ful to the environment.

The Travelchoice team will also be at PECT’s Green Festival on 13 August offering you the chance to make your own boats out of recycled materials or battle it out in a Rollapaluza cycle sprint.

One of the most exciting events is the Celebration of Youth Day organised by the local branch of the YMCA which is taking place in Cathedral Square on 21 August. There is an enormous amount of talent amongst our young people which I see all the time at events such as the recent children’s film awards. This event is a fantastic way to give our young people the chance to show off their talents and for others to be inspired to develop their skills to achieve great things.

I hope I’ve provided you with some inspiration - I’ve only just scratched the surface. In addition, the Key Theatre will be hosting Key Youth Theatre’s summer musical, you can travel back 3,500 years with a visit to Flag Fen and the Lido is great on a sunny day. Ferry Meadows is a fun day out too.

It’s probably not one for young children, but don’t forget we have rock legend Bryan Adams playing the Embankment tomorrow - tickets are still available.

In the next few weeks the popular CAMRA beer festival returns (23 to 27 August), swiftly followed by the Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show on 3 and 4 August and the Italian Festival the weekend after bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to the city.

From time to time I hear people say there’s not much to do in the city. I hope I’ve shown you that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you have an event taking place that you’d like me to mention, let me know and I will try and include it in next week’s column.

Iwas proud this week to learn that we’ve been nominated for Council of the Year in the Association for Public Service Excellence awards. This is great news and recognition of the level of innovation that our officers are delivering on behalf of residents in challenging financial times.

I must also say a big well done to our Care & Repair Home Improvement Agency Service which has been awarded the National Foundations Collaboration Award at the Home Improvement Agency and Handyperson Service Awards 2016. The team was also highly commended in the Innovation Award category.

Each year the team helps 4,000 people through the handy person service, 1,300 people with minor aids and adaptations, and 500 through the larger jobs scheme.

The support they provide makes such a difference to so many people so to see the agency receive national recognition is fantastic.