Christmas parties
It’s that time of year again! Time to grab those Toy Library Christmas party tickets before they all go. This year we’re holding three parties – on 13, 15 and 16 December – and they’re going to be even bigger and better than before. Each one will feature festive fun and games – from pass the parcel to pin the nose on Rudolph – as well as Christmassy craft activities, with play do, paint and glitter galore! 

For the kids we’ll be laying on party food, while the grown ups can choose from our famously fabulous cake stall. And there’ll be a raffle, with some great prizes!

Get the kids to dress up, as there'll be a prize for the best fancy dress!

They're ticket-only events, and cost £5 per child, £8 for a family of two siblings, and babies under eight months are free. Tickets are available from reception at the toy library. Get them while they’re hot!

Try before you buy
Not sure what to buy the kids for Christmas? Don’t want to splash out on something they might not like? Why not borrow that garage/puzzle/train set from the toy library to try out before you splash the cash? It’s only £1 per item, and you can borrow them for three weeks at a time. Speak to a toy librarian at your next session.

Concession rates
Don’t forget – if you’re on benefits you’re entitled to our concession rates of £1 a session, rather than £2.50. Just bring proof of benefit entitlement with you to a session, and speak to the play worker on reception.

Do you have a glut of grapes? An embarrassment of bananas? Surplus strawberries?
We know the kids love snack time, but giving out fresh fruit is pretty expensive. Could you donate any spare fruit you have loitering in your fruitbowl? All would be very gratefully received. As you probably know, the toy library receives no government funding, and constantly needs to cut costs. 

New committee
In October a new management committee was elected to help run the toy library. This volunteer management committee – made up of members – oversees the running of the toy library, its finances, its business plan and its direction.

The new committee comprises:

Sarah Herbert – Chair
Chez Crabtree – Vice chair
Claire Forrest – Secretary
Sarah Freshwater – Treasurer 
Ann Smed Masden – Press and publicity
Fundraising and events – Rachel Gascoigne, Mel Coles Gubb

New committee members are welcome to join at any time.

If you don’t want to join the committee, but would like to help the toy library, we’re always looking for volunteers to help run the play sessions, doing anything from helping children with the craft activities to setting out the snacks. If you’re interested, please email manager@walthamstowlibrary.org, or speak to a member of staff during a session.