by admin | Nov 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
Friday’s Mexican ‘Dia de los Muertos’ Feast at the library was amazing – we raised just over £500 for the library! The fancy dress costumes were brilliant (Martin’s ‘Chinese’ attire was slightly off brief but he more than made up for it with the Tequila -not a drop left by the end of the evening). David made a toxic punch which was drank in its entirety. Liz’s menu was inspired and delicious, and quite unbelievably carried off considering there’s no oven at the library and she had to cook the lot in advance before transporting it over from her house. Everyone seemed to have a grand time so thank you to all who came along and those who helped out decorating beforehand and clearing up afterwards. (Masses of washing up!)
There’s more photos of guests in costume over on the library facebook page, but here’s the decorated room…
by admin | Nov 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
Last few tickets* remaining for this friday’s Day of the Dead feast at the Morrab Library -phone/visit/email us to book your place asap.
*This event is exclusively for library members and their guests.
by admin | Nov 1, 2011 | Uncategorized
We thought this little book apt for wishing everyone a happy halloween. By ‘a mere phantom’,it was published in 1880 by Houlston and Sons. “The increased use of the Magic Lantern as a means of beguiling the long evenings of winter, render a brief and simple guide for the unscientific purchaser not only desirable, but necessary.”
by admin | Oct 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
by admin | Sep 18, 2011 | Uncategorized
We’re all gearing up for this year’s Book and Postcard fair, to be held at St. John’s Hall, Penzance, this coming Saturday 24th September from 10 – 4. It promises to be a great day – loads of second-hand and antiquarian book stalls, postcard stalls, raffle, delicious cakes, tea & coffee – all to raise money for the Morrab Library. Everyone is welcome, so do please come along and support the library. Hope to see you there!
by admin | Sep 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
This month’s offering from the slide collection. We have a fair bit of information about this one, but if you have any more we’d be really grateful – thank you.
‘Loading Stone Boats’ on the South Pier at Newlyn c1970
This is a Ruston diesel Loco (LM 40, No. 375315), used to deliver the millions of tons of ‘Blue Elvan’ stone quarried at Penlee (started in 1880s and originally called Gwavas Quarry). Vessels were moored alongside the railway, and the trams, each containing two and a half tonnes, tipped the stone chippings into the hold. The narrow gauge railway ran from the end of the Lighthouse Pier back to the quarry ‘bins’ which have since been demolished. In 1973, a new conveyor system replaced the familiar little trains, and the whole quarry operation ceased in the 1990s.
The brass plate on the tram (bottom right) refers to a Newlyn man: Mr. John W Jenkin, a much respected and long serving employee of the firm. The loco driver (just visible – you can see his hand + a boot!) could well be Mr. Bill Sleeman and the figure helping to tip the trams is possibly Mr. Louis Lawry.
In the distance you can see glimpses of Newlyn – to the left, the houses above Sandy Cove and the road to Mousehole. And to the right the houses above the Fishermens Arms Inn extending up to Lynn Terrace and St. Peter’s Hill.
The Penlee story is well documented and a major part of Newlyn’s history.
