Newquay’s Clemo Books lands Penguin grant for free StoryFest

Six authors, six free events, and a free book for every child who turns up. That is what Clemo Books has lined up for StoryFest Newquay, a month-long celebration of reading running across the summer holidays. Booking is open now and every event is free.

A festival funded by a Penguin grant

StoryFest Newquay begins on Thursday 30 July and brings free author-led events and workshops to children and young people aged 3 to 16. Clemo Books, Newquay’s independent bookshop, is running the festival in partnership with Newquay Library and Newquay Town Council.

The festival is paid for by the Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant, which aims to get children reading for pleasure and to build a lasting relationship with books. Clemo Books was one of 44 bookshops across the UK to receive the funding.

Jaimie Poyner, owner of Clemo Books, said the timing matters for local families. “This is an incredible opportunity for children and young people in Newquay. We know the summer holidays are a financially difficult time for many families, especially those living in towns heavily affected by tourism, and we wanted to help. We’re so pleased to be working on this project and hope it has a lasting effect on children in Newquay and their love of reading.”

📷Becca Rogers

Six authors across the summer

The line up ranges from outdoor storytelling for little ones to creative writing workshops for teenagers. Every child who attends will be gifted a free book by the author leading their event.

The confirmed events are:

• Thursday 30 July, 10:30am: Wyl Menmuir, outdoor writing workshop for ages 13 to 16, meeting at Clemo Books
• Friday 31 July, 10:30am: Becca Rogers, writing workshop for ages 8 to 12, Newquay Library
• Thursday 13 August: Sarah Tagholm, storytelling for ages 3 to 8, Doorstep Green in Treloggan
• Friday 14 August: Tom Palmer, talk and quiz for ages 8 to 14, Newquay Orchard
• Tuesday 18 August: Rebecca Cobb, illustration workshop for ages 13 to 16, Alma Artspace
• Tuesday 25 August: Craig Barr-Green, storytelling for ages 4 to 8, Killacourt Bandstand

📷Wyl Menmuir

Green spaces opened up for local families

Some sessions will run on Newquay Town Council’s green spaces, including the Killacourt and Doorstep Green in Treloggan.

Amy Smith, Events Manager at Newquay Town Council, said: “We’re proud to open up Newquay Town Council’s green spaces like the Killacourt and Doorstep Green in Treloggan to make these events easy for local families to enjoy. Some sessions will also line up with the town council’s Stay and Play sessions, so families can enjoy even more free activities together. It’s all part of making sure there are things to do this summer holiday without it costing a thing.”

Jo Carter, Library and Visitor Information Centre manager, said the festival ties in with a wider push to get children reading over the break. “Reading for pleasure is really important in childhood and we hope StoryFest Newquay along with this summer’s Cornwall Reading Challenge will help to get young people off their screens and really engaging with books during their school holidays.”

How to book

Tickets are free. You can book a place through the Clemo Books events page or sign up using the sheet at Newquay Library and Information Services. Full details are on the StoryFest Newquay 2026 page.