TO an outsider it might have looked like Wellington Library was being invaded when tens of children arrived while the library closed.

But it was a friendly invasion as the children were going to collect certificates for completing the Sum- mer Reading Challenge.

The challenge, organised by libraries nationwide, is to read six books in the summer school holiday.

It attracted more than 300 chil- dren to Wellington and Wivelis- combe libraries and the challenge

was completed by a large percent- age of them.

Guests of honour at the ceremo- ny were the Mayor of Wellington, Gary James, and his wife Birgit. The Mayor reminded children that there was whole world to explore and that they should not be afraid to ask if they did not understand what they were looking at.

Alongside the challenge this year the Library Friends Group organ- ised a competition which asked children to write a review of one of the books they had read for the

challenge. With support from Co- operative Funeralcare book tokens were awarded to the winners in three age groups and to runners-up.

These were: Under-seven – William Carey; seven-nine – Olivia Davey; over nine – Jack Carey. Run- ners-up were Kobi Childs, Imogen Hill, Elin Reeve, Verity Hill and Eleanor Rogers.

The friends would like to thank library staff and volunteers for all the work they put into making the challenge a success and the children for their enthusiasm in tackling it.