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All aboard for Family Library Summer Reading Scheme 21 June 2008 THE seas were suitably high on Saturday for the launch of the Family Library’s Summer Reading Scheme, which has a nautical theme. The Department of Education library, in Westmoreland Road, Douglas, challenged young members to become ‘Press Gang Pirates’ and embark on ‘The Great Reading Adventure’.  Participants must steer their ships through the tricky waters of the Isles of Mann, negotiating such landmarks as Shark Island and the Silly Isle and passing such places as Craine’s Cove and MH Quays, to reach their destination and win the treasure at the end. Their colourful galleons – mounted on a huge map on the library wall – will move forward each time they finish one of five books they must read over the summer holidays. This year for the first time there is a team element to the scheme called Crew Chase. The record 215 children who have signed up will be in either the red or the blue team. Four member of Douglas Lifeboat crew, Simon Bushe, Peter Washington, Alex McBride and Richard Coase, officially launched The Great Reading Adventure, handing out the first packs to the young pirates. The packs contained pirates’ bandanas, badges and maps to help children chart their course over a choppy couple of months. Librarian-in-charge Mary Cousins told those gathered for the launch: ‘The adventure starts here and all of you who have joined this scheme have a long journey ahead of you.’ Mr Washington told the children: ‘We are not pirates. We are here to keep you safe on the journey. But when looking for the treasure, if you find the barrel of rum, that goes to the crew.’ Craft events linked with the theme will take place at the library throughout the summer. Lieutenant Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks and Lady Haddacks will present the prizes on September 13 and the map contains places named in their honour, Sir Haddacks Plaice and Lady Penny’s Bay. More stories >>>
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