Winchester
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Eyes down for Hampshire's big read
A SCHEME to encourage residents to read more is being unveiled in Winchester on Thursday (July 17).
Entitled Hampshire's Big Read, the launch will feature pupils from the city's Kings' School and civic dignitaries including the county's Lord Lieutenant, Mary Fagan.
It will be taking place at the Gurkha Museum in Peninsula Barracks.
The reading campaign will have a military theme, as Hampshire County Council wants as many people as possible to read one book in particular.
It is 'Private Peaceful' by Michael Morpurgo, a novel focusing on a young soldier during the darkest days of World War I.
Its publisher, HarperCollins, has provided the council with several hundred copies. Many will be placed at the authority's libraries across the county.
Some copies will also be given away at Hampshire railway stations and ferry terminals. A few will even be left near popular footpaths to allow walkers to pick them up.
County executive member for recreation, heritage and communities, Cllr Margaret Snaith said: "The aim is to get Hampshire reading. We want as many people as possible to get involved, not only for the pure enjoyment this book offers, but hopefully to inspire people to pick up even more books and read more regularly.
"It has already been proven that reading can improve literacy skills in people of all ages, so I hope this will ignite a new passion for reading amongst the people of Hampshire.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to HarperCollins who have been extremely generous in enabling the library service to have so many copies of 'Private Peaceful' available for loan."
8:47am Tuesday 15th July 2008
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