Lots of activities coming up for the school summer holidays at the Upper Norwood Library, and in the maze in Crystal Palace Park, all beginning this week with the Summer Reading Challenge.

Library users aged between five and 10 are challenged to read six books of their choice over the summer holidays.

“This year the theme is Mythical Maze and we have lots of fun things for you to do, as well as rewards for each book you complete, topped off with a certificate, medal and an invitation to our award-winners party in September.”

The Summer Reading Challenge is free to enter, and has started this week. Sign in when you next visit the library.

Sat July 19, 10.30am: Saturday Waggle and Hum

This is an opportunity for working parents to waggle and hum with their babies at this ever-popular song and nursery rhyme session with puppets. Suitable for children up to two years old. Charge: £1 per baby (or more, if you wish)

Sat July 19, 10.30am-4.30pm: Usborne book fair

Kate O’Sullivan comes to the library approximately once a month to sell her popular Usborne titles. The more Kate sells the more free new Usborne books we receive for our children’s library.

Sat July 19, 2pm-4pm: Get Connected – Intergenerational Wellbeing

This is the second in a programme of five community wellbeing events run by Nicola Kelly and Bronagh Heaney of MWAH CIC, and LCF. Come along to share stories, get acquainted and take part in fun activities. Suitable for all ages, and free.

Sat Aug 2, 2.30pm-3.30pm: Book Club

The fifth UNL Book Club title is Solar by Ian McEwan.

Come along for lively debate and good company.

There are several copies available at the library and The Bookseller Crow on Westow Street offers £1 off a standard paperback edition of our title of the month.

Refreshments will be available.

Age: Adults

Charge: Free, but donations for the library welcomed.

Mon Aug 4, 10am -12pm: Stitch Pitch: patchwork and quilting workshop

Fiona will be teaching patchwork and quilting. Work will be done by hand, but if you have a PAT-tested sewing machine you may bring this along. Fiona’s sewing machine may be used on occasion, when required. Refreshments will be served.

Age: Adults

Charge: £3 per session

In the Crystal Palace Park maze at 11am-12pm and 1pm-3pm: Mythical Maze stories

Every Wednesday in August work your way through the maze at Crystal Palace Park to find Fiona, who will reward your heroic effort with the following tales:

Wed Aug 6: Dinosaur legends

Wed August 13: Egyptian myths

Wed Aug 20: Greek myths

Wed Aug 27: Legends of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Age: 5 – 10 year olds. Charge: Free

Sat Aug 16, 10.30am-11am: Saturday Waggle and Hum

This is an opportunity for working parents to waggle and hum with their babies at this ever-popular song and nursery rhyme session with puppets.

Age: 0 – 2 year olds. Charge: £1 per baby (or more, if you wish)

Sat Aug 30, 2pm-4pm: Get Connected – Intergenerational Wellbeing

This is the third in a programme of five community wellbeing events run by Nicola Kelly and Bronagh Heaney of MWAH CIC, and LCF. Come along to share stories, get acquainted and take part in fun activities. Age: All ages. Charge: Free

Coming to Croydon

• South Norwood Arts Festival, July 5-20
• Love Norbury launch event, July 19
• Boom Band plays the Half Moon Putney, July 19
• Summer butterfly walk, Farthing Down, July 20
• Picnic in Grangewood Park, July 20
• David Lean Cinema: Pantani: Accidental Death of a Cyclist, July 21
• David Lean Cinema: Tracks, July 24
• Lives Not Knives beer fund-raiser, July 24
• Fragile, Spread Eagle Theatre, July 24-26
• CODA’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Wandle Park, Jul 30-Aug 2
• David Lean Cinema: Locke, July 31
• Elm Tree Cottage garden open day, Aug 10
• Cinema Ruskin film show, Aug 16
• Warlingham rugby dinner with international Richard Hill, Sep 12
• Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
• Cinema Ruskin film show, Sep 20
• Streatham Common 6M race, Sep 27
• Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
• Cinema Ruskin film show, Oct 18
• Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20

Inside Croydon: Croydon’s only independent news source, based in the heart of the borough: 407,847 page views (Jan-Jun 2014)

If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or local event, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com