Children's author Trish Cooke will be visiting Preston on Thursday 13 October to speak to schoolchildren from around the county. Children will be invited to a storytelling session and a demonstration of how a story idea gets turned into a finished book.

Artist Nat Biney will also be entertaining people with storytelling sessions, drumming and dancing and textiles workshops at various libraries throughout Lancashire in October.

Children who fancy learning some modern day African-Caribbean dance routines are invited to the Harris Library in Preston on Wednesday 19 October from 4pm to 7pm. There will also be a session at Accrington Library on Tuesday 11 October from 4pm to 7pm.

Adults can learn about traditional textile techniques such as batik and tie-dying and try their hand at some African designs at the library in Fleetwood on Thursday, 20 October.

People are invited to the Harris Library in Preston on Sunday 23 October where there will be drumming and dancing workshops and craft activities.

Throughout October there will be a display of books and other material relating to black history and culture at a number of libraries.

‘Strictly Roots’, is a free celebration event and will be held at 53 Degrees, Flyde Road, the new student venue at the University of Central Lancashire. The evening of entertainment is being organised by a number of community organisations and other agencies taking place from 7pm until 11.30pm on Saturday 22 October.

Storytelling:

Tuesday 4 October 2005
9.30am - 11.30am - Ormskirk Library, Burscough Street, Ormskirk - (school class)
2.30pm - 3.30 pm - Accrington Library, St James Street, Accrington (school class)
3.45pm - 4.45pm - Accrington Library, St James Street, Accrington (school class)

Monday 24 October 2005
10.30am - 11 .30am - Burnley Library, Grimshaw Street, Burnley (school class)

Drumming:

Monday 10 October 2005
10am - 12noon – Colne Library, Market Square, Colne (school class)
1pm - 3pm – Barnoldswick Library, Fern Lea Avenue, Barnoldswick (school class)

Drumming & Dancing:

Wednesday 5 October 2005
9.30am – 12noon - Morecambe Library, Central Drive, Morecambe (school class)

Tuesday 18 October 2005
1.30pm - 3.00pm - Skelmersdale Library, Southway, Skelmersdale (school class)

Wednesday 19 October 2005
9.30am - 11.30am - Chorley Library, Union Street, Chorley (school class)

Sunday 23 October 2005
11.30am – 3.30pm - Harris Library, Market Square, Preston (open to members of the public)

Dancing:

Tuesday 11 October 2005
4pm – 7pm - Accrington Library, St James Street, Accrington (open to children)

Wednesday 19 October 2005
4pm - 7pm - Harris Library, Market Square, Prest on (open to children)

Textiles:

Thursday 20 October 2005
9.30am - 12noon - Fleetwood, North Albert Street, Fleetwood (school class) 1.30pm - 4pm - Fleetwood, North Albert Street, Fleetwood (open to adults)