Regency costumes welcome as Jane Austen 250th celebration comes to the English Riviera

From a day of K-Pop karaoke to learning a Regency dance, Paignton Library is offering free or low-cost entertainment for everyone in a new season of events this winter.  

The programme has been unveiled by Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to run the libraries in Devon and Torbay and will run from December until January.

Under the theme of ‘A Better Tomorrow’, the events are all hosted in the spacious library building, which is a key hub in the community. 

It’s the third year of an extensive programme which has been rolled out with the help of a £720,369 grant to Libraries Unlimited from Arts Council England in 2022, given to boost music, film, workshops, and high-quality community events between 2023 and 2026. 

Jane Austen fans will be in their element with a special celebration of the 250th birthday of the author on December 16 at 11 am. Regency costume is welcomed and a workshop on the secret 18th century language of fans will be followed by the Renaissance Historical Dance Society teaching a traditional country dance of the time.

As a complete contrast, 17th February brings K-Pop to Paignton in the shape of a day of dancing, karaoke, games, crafts and merch. 

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Anyone who’s wanted to try resin art can join abstract artist Maria Alice Atkins on December 3 at 10 am for Christmas gift-making, and there’s more seasonal crafts on offer over the festive season with a chance for families to make a tree ornament and paint a seasonal wooden calendar. 

A day of nature-inspired fun is also guaranteed with the popular Eco Takeover Futureproof returning on February 7. Five family activities are being rolled out for just £5, with a focus on helping local wildlife in Torbay.  

Two previous Libraries Unlimited events seasons – ‘Pride of Place’ and ‘Get Creating!’ - have so far reached thousands of people with workshops, performances, art, and music events. 

‘A Better Tomorrow’ offers an opportunity to consider the planet and our place on it, as well as encouraging local micro-actions, while enjoying creative fun and making new friendships.  

Rae Hoole, Creative Communities Producer from Libraries Unlimited, said: “We’ve reached a fantastic number of people now across the past three years of these events. Our aim was truly to offer something that’s going to interest everyone, and this latest season is no exception.

"The Eco Takeover returns having been a massive hit when we last ran it, and there are many other activities that you simply can’t find anywhere else. Everything is free or low cost, and our staff are as excited about it as our communities!”