Award-winning actor and proud Accringtonian Julie Hesmondhalgh has been spotted out and about at some familiar locations across Accrington and Hyndburn as she takes centre stage in a special new short film celebrating the National Year of Reading.
From Accrington Carnegie Library to the local chippy, the hairdressers and even the 888 bus to Huncoat, Julie has been filming across the borough for a national campaign encouraging people to ‘Go All In’ and rediscover just how much reading is already part of everyday life.
The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign designed to get more people reading and to remind us that reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down with a classic novel.
Julie, who recently won the 2026 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and has written two books herself – An Actor’s Alphabet and A Working Diary, is currently starring in the latest series of the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors.
Produced by Scott Dawson Advertising, the short film sees Julie use poetry to explore the many ways reading touches our lives, often without us even thinking about it.
The poem was written by Julie for a National Year of Reading event in Salford.
Filming has taken place at some of Hyndburn’s best-known and best-loved locations, including Accrington Carnegie Library, Kahaani Indian Brasserie in Clayton-le-Moors, Oswaldtwistle Mills, Hyndburn Leisure Centre in Church, York St Chippy in Accrington, The Crown pub, Ian Henderson Hair Studio and Peel Park.
Julie even hopped aboard a Pilkington Bus during filming, taking a ride on the 888 to Huncoat. The short film also features several ‘Easter Eggs’ of books that have been written by writers from Accrington.
At the heart of the video is a simple message: reading is everywhere. It isn’t only about Blyton and Dickens. It could be picking up a Beano or Dandy, following the instructions to put up a shed, flicking through a magazine at the hairdressers or checking reviews before choosing a restaurant, film or show.
It can be reading digital content on social media while travelling on the bus, listening to an audiobook through your headphones at the gym or enjoying a story while walking through the park.
Through the short film, Julie also explores the extraordinary power of reading to open minds and alter perceptions. It can distract us, inspire us, excite us and add something new to even the most ordinary day.
And there are countless ways to get involved. Read to your children, your siblings or your nan. Join your local library. Download a novel. Pick up a comic. Listen to an audiobook. Find something you love and simply Go All In.
Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “I absolutely loved filming this, particularly because we got to visit so many places that are incredibly familiar to me. There’s something special about celebrating reading against the backdrop of Accrington and Hyndburn and showing that it can be part of absolutely anyone’s everyday life.
“But behind all the fun of the filming is an important message. Reading can take so many different forms and it has the power to open new ideas, new worlds and new ways of seeing things. The message of the National Year of Reading is simple: Go All In. I hope this short film encourages people to be part of the movement to get Britain reading.”
Sarah Bird, Regional Lead for the National Year of Reading, said: “The National Year of Reading is a chance to change the way people think about reading and celebrate the many ways it is already part of our lives. Julie captures that beautifully in her poem and seeing her words brought to life in Accrington makes for a film full of joy. We hope that joy is infectious and encourages people across the country to Go All In and discover reading in a way that feels right for them.”
The short film will be premiered to a class from St Andrew’s CE Primary School and selected #AmazingAccrington business leaders on Thursday 15th October at Haworth Art Gallery, prior to its national release as part of the National Year of Reading campaign at 5pm on Thursday 15th October.
At the same event, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will return to Hyndburn, an initiative that provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five.
The world-famous programme will be sponsored locally by businessman Lawrence Whittaker, which will allow 50 children to receive free books for a year. The event will also include a book reading to the St Andrew’s CE Primary School children from Julie and Lawrence’s Mother, Andrea Whittaker. The book is written by Lawrence’s Grandmother, Beryl Hampson.
Stay tuned to the #AmazingAccrington social media channels for further updates.
To find out more about the National Year of Reading and how to get involved, visit goallin.org.uk
Learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library here: imaginationlibrary.com
