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Special events
Nature themed crafts
Join us in the Story Garden this summer to design and make our nature-themed crafts! Lots of fun for all the family.
Suitable for age 3+. Cost: 50p per child. No need to book, drop in any time during our usual opening hours.
Themes and dates:
- Peg butterfly: Saturday 19 July to Friday 25 July
- Pinecone bees: Saturday 26 July to Friday 1 August
- Design cardboard mini bugs: Saturday 2 August to Friday 8 August
- Make a birdfeeder: Saturday 9 August to Friday 15 August
- Design a suncatcher: Saturday 16 August to Friday 22 August
Creative writing competition
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge has “a Story Garden” as its central theme, and we are delighted to invited you to enter our creative writing competition!
Closing date for all entries 23 August 2025.
Theme
Please write a story using the theme “The Garden”
Age categories
There are three age categories:
- 8 to 10
- 11 to13 and
- 14 to 16
Guidelines
Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not marked and entries will be judged by Alice Fowler, an award-winning author.
All stories must:
- Be 1000 words or less (title is not included in the number)
- Be written by an individual and not a group
- Be a child’s own original idea
- Be prose, not rap or poem
- Stories must not:
- Give any personal details (including their name)
- Recount an historical event (but they can use a real person or historical character as a source of inspiration)
- Be created, written or developed by Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- If you choose to type your story, please use a standard font e.g. Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman. Use of library computers is included free in your library membership - although printing is normally charged at the library - the printing charge of your story will be waived).
Shortlisting criteria
We will consider:
- Use of language and imagery
- Engaging narrative
- Exciting characters
- Use of suspense or an unusual plot twist
- Strong opening paragraphs
Submitting your short story
- Please write or type single-sided and include your name, age and contact details of a person over 18 on the reverse of each page.
- If your story is more than 1 page please number your pages in order.
- Please submit your short story on A4 paper by handing it into the helpdesk at one of the following libraries: Addlestone, Chertsey, Knaphill, West Byfleet and Woking.
- Closing date for all entries 23 August 2025.
Prizes
Your story will be read by an award- winning author! Other prizes include book goodies, badges and certificates. Winning entries will also be displayed in the library.
About the author and judge of the competition entries
Alice Fowler is an award-winning writer of short stories, poetry and longer fiction. Her debut short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, was published in 2023. Her writing is inspired by nature and the rich but often untold stories of the past.
Meet up and make friends for children starting Reception class in September 2025
Starting school is an exciting time but is a big step for your little ones!
Over the summer Addlestone Library is hosting meetup and make friends sessions for children starting Reception class in September.
We invite you to come and join us for a special story time, followed by fun activities and the chance to get to know one another.
The dates are:
- Ongar Place Primary School: Friday 1 August, from 11am to 12 noon.
- St. Paul's Church of England of Primary School: Friday 8 August, from 11am to 12 noon.
- Ottershaw Christchurch Church of England School, Thursday 14 August, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
- Holy Family Catholic Primary: Friday 15 August, from 11am to 12 noon.
- Darley Dene Primary School: Friday 22 August, from 11am to 12 noon.
- Sayes Court Primary School: Friday 29 August, from 11am to 12 noon.
No need to book, everyone welcome.
Pebble rhymetime and storytime
Pebble rhymetime
- Every Tuesday at 11am followed by Baby Duplo
- Tuesday Rhymetimes will focus on fostering a calmer environment and include more sensory experiences, including bubbles and stories with a sensory element. We sing the same songs each week to create a structured and predictable session. Tuesday Rhymetime is usually run by a neurodivergent member of staff.
- Rhymetime is followed by Baby Duplo. Aimed at children aged 1.5 years and upwards, this enables children to explore, share and create . All parents can stay and socialise in a friendly and supportive space.
- A visual support board is available for any parents/carers to share with their children during Rhymetime. Please ask at the desk before Rhymetime begins.
- A Social Story is available to support this Rhymetime. Please ask at the desk.
- Every Thursday at 11am
- Every Saturday at 11am and 3pm
No ticket needed, just drop in.
Find out more about Pebble rhymetime in Surrey libraries.
Storytime
There are currently no storytimes planned at this library.
Find out more about storytime in Surrey libraries.
Reading groups
There are currently no reading groups taking place in the library.
Find out more about reading groups in Surrey libraries.
Other events
Sensory Tray Play
Sensory tray play incorporates toys, books and activities to stimulate all the senses and can aid sensory regulation. It is suitable for all ages unless stated otherwise.
Next date and theme to follow, ask in the branch for more details.
Digital support volunteer
Do you want help using a computer, the internet, your iPad, tablet or iPhone, or other IT related problems?
Please see our Digital support volunteer page for more information and to find out which Surrey libraries offer a Digital support volunteer service.