For each of the last two visits of the Lumiere Festival to Durham, we have opened to provide extra sling hire sessions. We plan to do the same this year! The Lumiere Festival runs from 16th-19th November (ticket details are here).

This opportunity  allows families who are planning a trip to this spectacular event to do so hands free. It also allows the babies/children being carried to view the events from adult height rather than knee height. The festival also gets extremely busy, so by using a carrier children are kept close an safe in the crowds  (it is estimated 200,000 people visited in 2015). Even things such as getting the bus/park and ride into the city centre can be a little easier with a sling. Artichoke, the event organisers, even recommend that you use a sling rather than take pushchair. As a mum of two, I would also never have imagined taking mine if we hadn’t carried them.

This is what their website says:

 

“I want to bring my child in a buggy, is this OK?

We’ve learnt from feedback at previous Lumiere festivals that getting through the crowds with a pushchair can be really difficult. If you can, carry your child in a baby carrier or a sling so they can enjoy all the installations with you. “

So how can you get a sling?

Due to my own work commitments I cannot provide the same level of “open house” sessions that  have done previously but we will be offering some extra drop ins. You will be able to hire a carrier at any of the following events (extra sessions marked in bold). For exact times please visit our Facebook page.

Wednesday 1st November – Birth and Baby Family Centre Drop In (North Shields)

Thursday 2nd November – Community Room Tesco Consett (Genesis Retail Park, Consett)

Friday 3rd November – Ace Playce (Killingworth)

Friday 10th November – Miss Tina’s Washington (Barmston Village, Washington)

Tuesday 14th November – Open House 1.30-2.45pm (Rachel’s House).

Thursday 16th November – Open House 1.30-4pm (Rachel’s House).

Friday 17th November – Open House 1.30-2.45pm (Rachel’s House).

I will potentially be able to offer a limited drop in on Saturday 18th but this will not be confirmed until nearer the time.

What does it cost?

Slings that are hired from the normal monthly drop in sessions will be charged at normal hire fees (£10 for 4 weeks) as these sessions only run once per month.

If you wish to hire from the extra hire sessions, it will be cost £3.50 per carrier. They will need to be returned by to our next library drop in (and normal hire form must be completed and credit/debit card details stored via Stripe). Slings must be returned via the Red Drop Box on or before or in person on Saturday 25th November (2-4pm). If sling is not returned by agreed date, we will assume that you wish to extend your loan and charge card accordingly.

We will have a very limited number of baby/child ear defenders and babywearing covers available too.  Both slings and accessories will be available on a first come, first served basis.