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Special events
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.
Summer Reading Challenge
Saturday 5 July to Saturday 13 September.
If you want to ensure your child continues their reading journey over the summer holidays then look no further than the Summer Reading Challenge.
The theme this year is ‘Story Garden: Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors’. This exciting new theme will inspire children to tap into a world of imagination through reading, exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature.
Join the Summer Reading Challenge
Scavenger hunt
5 scavenger hunts over 10 weeks (each one lasts for two weeks). Collect a sticker for each one you complete and participation is free.
Each Scavenger hunt is themed around a story that heavily features gardens and woodlands, the themes and dates of each scavenger hunt are listed below:
- Saturday 5 July to Friday 18 July: The Secret Garden
- Saturday 19 July to Friday 1 August: Peter Rabbit
- Saturday 2 August to Friday 15 August: Winnie the Pooh
- Saturday 16 August to Friday 29 August: The Wind in the Willows
- Saturday 30 August to Saturday 13 September: Alice in Wonderland
Anyone who completes all 5 scavenger hunts will receive an extra prize of a badge!
Lego Club
Woking Library's Lego Club returns this summer:
Spend two hours letting your creativity shine by building what ever idea pops into your head with the library's collection of Lego:
- Friday 15 August at 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
- Saturday 30 August at 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Suitable for ages 4 years old and over (Duplo will be available for younger siblings). Parents must stay with their children at all times.
£1 a ticket, available at the Woking library help desk. We recommend booking in advance as places are limited.
Summer crafts
In addition to our regular Craft time with Tracy which will continue to run over the summer, there will be summer crafts on the following dates (Suitable for children aged 4 and above) :
- Friday 25 July from 2pm to 3pm
- Monday 28 July from 2pm to 3pm
- Wednesday 30 July from 11am to 12 noon
- Tuesday 5 August from 2pm to 3pm
- Friday 8 August from 2pm to 3pm
- Monday 11 August from 11am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 13 August from 11am to 12 noon
- Monday 18 August from 11am to 12 noon
- Tuesday 19 August from 2pm to 3pm
- Friday 22 August from 11am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 27 August from 11am to 12 noon
Badge making
- Saturday 26 July from 2pm to 3.30pm
- Saturday 23 August from 2pm to 3.30pm
Unleash your creativity to make your very own pin badges with our Woking Library badge Making Sessions.
Suitable for for ages 4 years old and over.
£1 for 2 badges. No need to book ahead, join in on the day.
Quiz Night
Thursday 31 July at 5.30pm.
Test your book and author knowledge. Play as a group or solo, £2 per person.
Prizes up for grabs!
You can book in advance or just turn up on the night. You can pay on arrival. To book: email woking.library@surreycc.gov.uk.
Woking Photographic Society exhibition
Available from Monday 4 August through to Saturday 30 August during open hours.
Come along to enjoy seeing some of their best prints in person. You will also be able to cast your vote on your favourite print, out of the many stunning photographs. Entry is free and the exhibition will be located in the Woking Library display space, located at the end of the general fiction.
Join the amazing Sharon Davey for a Children's Drawing Workshop
Saturday 9 August from 2-3pm
Suitable for children 4+
Tickets are £4 per child.
Grow your own grass-head person and plant a seed.
From 2pm to 3pm on:
- Wednesday 6 August and
- Monday 11 August
Get your hands dirty and make a person with real growing grass for hair (takes 3-4 days to germinate) and plant a pot of seeds to grow at home.
Suitable for children aged 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets can be purchased at the library desk. Cost: £2 per child, per session, in advance or on the day.
This event is supported by Squires Garden Centre, Woking
Dragon Flowers with Sharon Davey
Saturday 9 August, from 2 to 3pm.
Everyone knows dragons live on turrets or craggy mountains but what if dragons lived in flowers? Imagine a world where dragons bloom.
Join the amazing Sharon Davey for a Children's Drawing Workshop
Suitable for children 4+. Tickets cost £4 per child.
Book online for Dragon Flowers with Sharon Davey
If unable to book online, please book in Woking Library.
Football fun
Join us for some fun football activities at Woking Library.
Wednesday 13 August, Two session :
- 2 to 3pm. Suitable for ages 3 to 6 years
- 3.15 to 4.15pm. Suitable for ages 7 to 11 years
Sessions are free but booking necessary.
Book online for fun football activities for ages 3 to 6
Book online for fun football activities for ages 7 to 11
If unable to book online, please book in Woking Library.
Explore the art of photography: live talks at Woking Library
On Tuesdays in August, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Woking Photographic Society will be presenting series of free Tuesday evening talks in partnership with Woking Library as part of their Annual Exhibition.
Whether you are a budding photographer, seasoned enthusiast, or just curious, these sessions offer unique insights into a wide range of photographic styles, techniques, and journeys.
Tickets are free but booking necessary. Select an session below for more information and to book your place online. You can book for more than one session. If unable to book online, please book in Woking Library.
- 5 August: Stephen Wilder, The Highs and Lows of Drone Photograph
- 12 August: Justin Cliffe, The Art of Travel photography
- 19 August: Connie Kinley and Sally Howard. From snapshots to standouts; Where are you taking your photography?
- 26 August: Mike Tibbotts, A Journey in Wildlife photography
Teddy bear's picnic
Monday 18 August from 3pm to 4pm.
Bring along your favourite cuddly toy.
Teddy bear’s picnic activities:
- Teddy bear mask craft
- Parachute games
- Songs
Tickets are free but must be booked, either ahead or on the day (though places are limited) at the Woking library helpdesk.
Helen Taylor talk
Thursday 14 August, from 6pm to 7pm.
Join local author Helen Taylor talking about her detective series, which alternates settings between Surrey and international locations.
Suitable for adults.
Tickets are free but booking necessary.
Book online for author talk by Helen Taylor
If unable to book online, please book in Woking library.
What’s Your Garden Story? workshop for adults with author, Alice Fowler
Thursday 21 August from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Unleash your creativity this summer in our enchanting garden-themed writing workshop!
From ‘The Secret Garden’ to The Lost Gardens of Heligan, gardens have long been a source of creative inspiration. Tying in with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Woking Library is proud to present a creative writing workshop, ‘What’s Your Garden Story?’.
Led by award-winning writer Alice Fowler, this fun and encouraging 1.5 hour workshop will explore the richness, beauty and hidden stories of our gardens. Perhaps you’ll write about a garden you played in as a child, a historic garden and the people who created it, the wildlife in your garden, or a fantasy garden you’ve imagined.
For anyone with an interest in greenery and gardens, join us to find seeds of inspiration, and let your creative writing grow!
Tickets are £5 per person and can be booked online.
Book tickets for What’s Your Garden Story? workshop at Woking library
Pebble rhymetime and storytime
Rhymetimes
- Every Monday at 10am.
- Every Wednesday at 10am.
- Every Friday at 2.30pm.
- Every Saturday at 11am.
Rhymetime sessions are free.
No booking necessary, just drop in for a session on the days and at the times above.
Find out more about Pebble rhymetimes in Surrey Libraries.
Storytimes
Every Tuesday from 4pm until 4.30pm.
For children aged 4 to 8 years
All sessions are free, and you don't need to book. So just come along and have fun!
Find out more about storytime in Surrey libraries.
Reading groups
Reading group
Every second Monday of the month at 11.30am.
There are currently some spaces available. Do you enjoy a good read? Relish a lively conversation? Like meeting people in a friendly environment? Why not join our reading group?
Chatterbooks reading group
Last Tuesday of every month from 4pm until 5pm
Join our friendly Chatterbooks Reading group at Woking Library
The group is suitable for ages 9 to 11 years old. We read, discuss books, and take part in fun activities.
Places are limited, so if you're interested, please speak to a member of staff for details.
Find out more about reading groups in Surrey libraries.
Other events
Knit and Stitch club
Every Thursday morning from 10am until 12noon.
It's a great way to make new friends, share tips and enjoy some great company. Prepare your yarn and needles and settle yourself down with a cuppa and a chat.
The club is free and no need to book. Simply turn up with your knitting, crochet or stitching.
Craft time with Tracy
Every Thursday from 3.45pm until 4.45pm.
Suitable for children aged 4 and above. Tickets are £1 per child and no booking is required.
Poetry hub
Every Friday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The Poetry Hub will be our weekly gathering, designed to be a haven for adults seeking connection and creativity through the power of poetry.
Held every week, our morning sessions will offer a warm and welcoming environment where participants can engage in various activities centred around verse. From writing challenges to a cosy book club atmosphere, each session is a chance to explore the beauty of language and share stories in a supportive community. With limited time but endless possibilities, join us at your local Poetry Hub for enriching conversations, inspiring challenges, and the joy of discovering the poet within.
The sessions are free. No booking required.
Meet the Beat
Next session: To be confirmed.
Come and chat to our local Police officers at Woking Library.
Digital support volunteer
Would you like help using a computer, the internet, your iPad, tablet, iPhone or Android device, or other IT related problems?
Make an appointment to see one of our Digital support volunteers:
- Every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm
- Every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm
Sessions are for 30 minutes and must be booked in advance at the enquiries desk in Woking Library.
Please see our Digital support volunteer page for more information and to find out which libraries currently offer a Digital support volunteer service.