13 October 2009
Young Quest Seekers find treasure at Guildhall
A record 348 children from across the City of London and
surrounding areas successfully completed the Quest Seekers 2009
Summer Reading Challenge, organised by the City of London
Corporation.
Yesterday, many of the participants gathered at historic
Guildhall to receive medals and certificates from the Lady Mayoress
of London in recognition of this achievement.
The Lord Mayor of London Ian Luder spoke to the children before
the presentation ceremony got underway. He commented:
"This year’s summer reading challenge has broken all previous
records and exceeded all of our expectations.
"I am delighted that so many children successfully completed
this year’s challenge – they should all be tremendously proud of
themselves.
"I would also like to thank the many parents, teachers and
library staff who offered invaluable support and encouragement
along the way."
David Pearson, Director of Libraries, Archives and Guildhall Art
Gallery at the City of London Corporation, added:
"The City of London Corporation is committed to helping local
children fulfil their potential - encouraging a love of reading is
an important step on the path to future success.
There is a clear link between reading for pleasure and academic
achievement and I am pleased to report that our lending libraries
are as popular as ever."
Brother and sister Luke and Lauren Satterthwaite both took part
in the 2009 Quest Seekers challenge:
"We both really enjoyed this year’s challenge and lots of our
friends did it as well. We will definitely all be taking part again
next year."
"I can’t wait to get my medal and certificate!" Luke added.
First established in 2007, the City of London’s Summer Reading
Challenge is designed to encourage children aged 4-12 who use the
City’s three lending libraries to continue reading during the long
summer break.
Each child was asked to read six books and to carry out a
number of library-based tasks in order to successfully complete
this year’s challenge.
The presentation ceremony took place in Guildhall’s Great Hall,
which last Friday played host to Prince Charles, Prince William,
Tony Blair and David Cameron as part of a reception to mark the end
of combat operations in Iraq.
Ends
Notes to editors
About the City of London
The City of
London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports
and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance
and business services and provides local services and policing for
those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also
provides valued services to London and the nation. These include
the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama;
the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan
Archive; a range of education provision (including three City
Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the
Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over
10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping
Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port
Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow.
It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the
regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which
it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.
Libraries in the City of London
The three
lending libraries in the City of London are all taking part in the
Quest Seekers 2009 Summer Reading Challenge – they are:
- Barbican
- Camomille Street
- Shoe Lane
More information about the City of London’s libraries
For photographs, or for more information, please contact:
James Abbott
Press Officer – the City of London Corporation
Mob 07920 828 421
Tel 020 7332 1754
Email
james.abbott@cityoflondon.gov.uk