Wokingham Borough Connect
 Get creative at Cantley Park
Fancy learning some new arts and crafts skills? Looking to have some fun with friends? Why not sign up to one of our new courses at Cantley Park?
We've just launched our new spring programme of courses with a range of fun activities suitable for beginners as well as those with a bit more experience looking to improve.
Workshops running during February and March include:
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Candle Making - Thursday 10 February, 10am to 12noon
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Collage for wellbeing - Thursday 24 February, 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm / Thursday 10 March, 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm
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Floral lino printmaking - Thursday 3 March, 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm
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Artificial spring wreath making - Thursday 17 March, 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm / Thursday 24 March, 10am to 12noon or 2pm to 4pm
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Japanese brush calligraphy - Thursday 31 March, 10am to 12noon or 1pm to 3pm
You can find out more details about all these workshops and book on the Wokingham Borough Council Eventbrite page.
Costs vary depending upon workshop and all materials are provided. Refreshments are available at the Cantley Cafe.
 Celebrating LGBT+ History Month
We’re celebrating LGBT+ History Month throughout February, with a range of online resources and events for adults and children led by the library service, to highlight the creative, political and literary impact of LGBT+ people and friends of the community.
It’s an annual month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. Founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school history teacher, Rodney Wilson, it was initiated in the UK by Schools Out UK and first took place in February 2005.
The event is intended to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, LGBT+ people and history. Our library service is highlighting books, authors and music which are creating an impact within the community and beyond.
 Free mental health event for VCS groups
Do you work within groups that improve mental health or wellbeing?
Oxfordshire Mind is running a free ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Alliance’ forum event tomorrow (3 February) focusing on peer support for mental health and wellbeing. The event is available to voluntary community sector (VCS) organisations or groups that have a focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of Wokingham residents.
This alliance will help develop and integrate the local VCS offer of mental health and wellbeing provision in Wokingham. The ultimate aim of the alliance is to improve the experience of residents accessing mental health and wellbeing support through responding collaboratively to identified needs in the community.
The virtual event takes place tomorrow, 3 February, from 2pm to 3.30pm. To sign up, please visit the Eventbrite booking website.
 How to keep busy this February half term
There are lots of fun events running during half term at our libraries, including online workshops for children and a celebration of LGBT+ History Month.
Create your own prancing horses and join artist Chris Holley virtually on Monday 21 February as she explores paintings featured in the permanent collection in The National Gallery. She will focus on Whistlejacket, an oil painting by British artist George Stubbs. Suitable for children aged seven to ten, this talk runs from 2pm to 2.45pm.
Also running online is a maths sorcerer workshop with Explore Learning. This takes place on Tuesday February 22 from 11am to 12noon and is suitable for families with children aged eight and nine.
To sign up email libraries@wokingham.gov.uk with the session you would like to attend, your name and library card number and you will be sent details of how to join the day before.
 Library highlights for children and young people
Our teen writing group will be joined by Lisa Williamson on Saturday 12 February. The author of First Day of My Life and All About Mia is taking part in the virtual event, which runs from 10.30am to 12noon. This is suitable for young people aged 11 to 18.
The children's creative writing group, for those aged eight to ten, will meet on Thursday 10 February from 4pm to 4.45pm.
Virtual Storytime promises lots of fun for families with children aged seven and under, with this session taking place on Thursday 15 February at 11.30am.
To sign up email libraries@wokingham.gov.uk with the session you would like to attend, your name and library card number and you will be sent details of how to join the day.
 Authors Online returns with Elizabeth Okoh
Our popular Authors Online series returns on Tuesday 22 February at 7pm, featuring an interview with British Nigerian writer Elizabeth Okoh.
Her work has been influenced by social justice, Nigerian culture, immigration and living in diaspora. Her debut novel The Returnees was published in 2020.
Okoh is also a creative director, content creator and photographer. She is currently working on her second novel alongside empowering women through photography.
To sign up for this event email libraries@wokingham.gov.uk
 Still time to get a free bike check at Woodford Park
If you are looking to get your bike ready for the spring then don't forget there is still time to sign up for a free bike check courtesy of the MyJourney Wokingham team.
Dr Bike will be at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley this term, carrying out free bike checks to make sure your bike is roadworthy.
On Thursdays between now and the Easter holidays, you can book a slot and we'll get our Dr Bike to diagnose any issues and if he can, he'll fix them for free!
If there are any parts needed or it's beyond the scope of the session, he'll let you know and give you some advice and options to get your bike ready to ride.
Visit our MyJourney Wokingham events page to find out more and book a slot.
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