Transparent Language

Thinking of learning a new language? Thinking of learning a 100 or more new languages?!

Check out our online resource – transparent language. You’ll find it challenging. You’ll find it fun. If you find your tongue is twisted, that’s because you’ve just begun!

It will open up a whole new world of cultures. don’t just rely on someone from foreign parts speaking to you in English.

Show them and their culture respect by speaking to them in their own language. just a phrase or two has a remarkably positive effect.

Try it and see for yourself. this resource is available to you right now on our website. a new language to speak.

Allez! May you reach your peak!

https://www.transparent.com/personal/transparent-language-online.html

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The Wornington Word: A People’s History, Part 2

Last month, we introduced you to Natasha: founder of the oral history project “The Wornington Word”. Check out the first part in our three part series here to read about how Natasha was inspired by Wornington Green and the people living around her.

The Wornington Word: A People’s History, Part 1

The Wornington Word: A People’s History of The Wornington Green Estate W10 is a recently completed oral history project featuring 18 residents of the estate talking about their memories and regeneration.

Book Break reading groups in Kensington and Chelsea

This is guest blog post from Liz Ison. She works for The Reader and looks after the Book Break reading groups that run in Kensington and Chelsea . Over to Liz to tell us more…

Do you love stories, poems and great literature?

Would you like to find out what shared reading is?

Did you know that there are many shared reading groups going on in your local neighbourhood running every week?

Meet The Reader, an organisation that is passionate about the power of reading together.
We at The Reader are the pioneers of Shared Reading. The volunteer Reader Leaders who run our weekly groups, bring people together to read great literature aloud.

Groups are open to all, readers and non-readers alike. Come along and listen to stories and poems read aloud. It’s an opportunity to read and talk together in a friendly and relaxing environment. Free refreshments provided!

Our shared reading groups have been running locally for many years bringing shared reading to the residents of Kensington and Chelsea. We work in libraries, community centres and other organisations spreading the joy of shared reading.

Here are what our group members have to say about shared reading:

“I’ve felt really happy since the session with you —bought myself some flowers the next day…and went for a long walk while listening to music— all in one day. Our happy thoughts trigger happy chemicals in our brain.” Aysha

“An anchor during the week”

“It always makes me feel more fulfilled than the other days”

• 95 % look forward to the group as an important event in the week
• 84% think the reading session makes them feel better*

Here are some groups to try in our local libraries:

Brompton Library – Tuesday, 10.30am to 12 noon
Chelsea Library – Tuesday, 2.30 to 4pm
Kensington Central Library – Tuesday, 2 to 4pm
North Kensington Library – Thursday, 3 to 5pm
North Kensington Library – Saturday, 10.30am to 12 noon

We look forward to welcoming you to a group soon. To find other shared reading groups in your area you can contact:

Erin at erincarlstrom@thereader.org.uk or call 07483 972 020

Liz at lizison@thereader.org.uk or call 07807 106 815

More information is on the The Reader website too.

And if you’d be interested in volunteering with us, get in touch!

 

* 2017 Reader evaluation data for Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea shared reading groups

Silver Sunday – 2017

This year’s Silver Sunday programme launches in the borough on Sunday 1 October.

Kensington and Chelsea residents who are 65 years of age or over are invited to participate in an amazing week long programme of mostly free activities and events to celebrate their contribution to community life.

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The aim is to increase health and well-being by reducing social isolation through introducing older residents to new activities, meeting new people and staying active and involved in their communities. Some activities are held regularly throughout the year and others are one-off events delivered specifically for Silver Sunday.

If you are not able to get out and about due to physical limitations or ill health, and want to join in from the comfort of your own home, the Phone Club is a free and friendly activity that you can take part in on Monday and Thursday during Silver Sunday week and throughout the year too. Topics include: current affairs, health, food and culture.On 1 October why not join in and –

• take the opportunity of visiting the Design Museum, the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design, at its new location in Kensington High Street and explore your creative side with a range of design briefs (tea, coffee and cake provided)
• grab your dancing shoes and join in the Open Age dance-a-thon with fantastic music and instructors
• discover what goes on behind the scenes at the English National Ballet and take part in their artistic dance activity which improves physical and mental health and well-being through creative expression
• join a tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground and then relax with an afternoon tea and watch a cricket match
• add a little colour to your windowsill or balcony by planting up winter pansies and spring bulbs at Sybil Thorndike House in Earl’s Court (planter, compost and flowers/bulbs provided as well as refreshments)
• visit 18 Stafford Terrace (the preserved Victorian family home of Punch cartoonist Linley Sambourne) and discover what life was like back then

These are just some of the events that you can choose from and you don’t have to go on your own – why not invite a friend, family member or carer to join you.

You can find the full programme of events on the borough’s website – most activities and events are free of charge, some have limited space and others need to be booked in advance.

You can also see what else is happening near by and right across the UK on the Silver Sunday website.

New Year’s Message

Fireworks

2012 has been a great year for our libraries across the three boroughs.

• Hammersmith and Fulham library website
• Kensington and Chelsea library website
• Westminister library website

As well as keeping all the libraries open to meet your reading, learning and information needs, we have introduced additional services, such as One Stop express in Westminster, an online reading group, and extended our business and community events programme. We have made it possible through One Library Card for you to borrow material from any of the 21 libraries across the 3 boroughs, and to use the many special collections and services now available, including online from your home.

2013 will see more investment in library buildings in Marylebone, Hammersmith and Kensington and other service developments.

On behalf of all library staff, thank you for your support and custom this year and we look forward to seeing you in 2013.

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

David Ruse

David Ruse

Tri-borough Director of Libraries and Archives