The Morrab Library

Morvoren: the poetry of sea swimming
2023-03-15 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Morrab Library
Quay jump photograph by Alice Bray. Swimming photographs by Rita Hencke.
Morvoren is a book of thirty-two fresh new poems created by a group of women poets from Cornwall. Ella Walsworth-Bell, Hannah Temme, Abigail Ottley, Kerry Vincent, Kate Barden, Ruth Eggins (from Scilly), Polly Roberts came together as a shoal of mer-poets & talked to sea swimmers across our coastline, aiming to find out why women swim.
Their poetry combines with stunning marine photography and explores spirituality, womaning and blue health. At this talk at Morrab Library, four of the Morvoren poets will be joined by guest poet Morag Smith to share poetry and photography – come on in, the water’s lovely…
Tickets are allocated by a ballot system. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to be entered into the ballot for a ticket. The ballot closes on Tuesday 7th March. Entry is £5 by donation to help raise funds for Morrab Library. Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 10)
2023-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
Sara Samuelsson is hosting a 10-week, intermediate Astrology course at Morrab Library. The course starts on Tuesday 17th January 2023.
“We will be diving into the energies of the present time and how these are interacting with your Natal chart. Transiting planets can come along as teachers or tricksters, both challenging us and offering us a helping hand. In this course we explore how to work with the current astrological weather, becoming aware of using these limited time periods to the best of their ability. If you are a returning student of astrology or are familiar with your Natal chart this course is for you.”
For more information visit Sara’s website: sarasamuelsson.co.uk and book your place email sara@thenaturalhome.co.uk

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 9)
2023-03-07 10:00 - 12:00

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 8)
2023-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Lettering workshops
2023-02-24 14:30 - 15:30, 2023-01-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
One for people who have already had an introduction to brush lettering. Monthly workshops will focus on skill development and seasonal projects.
Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging women to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing. Through her workshops, Emma provides an introduction to journaling and modern calligraphy in the context of mindfulness, building self-esteem, goal setting and more, all while having fun with pen and paper.

£10

Booking is essential. Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/

Creative journaling
2023-02-24 01:15 - 02:30, 2023-01-27 13:15 | Morrab Library
De-clutter your mind and get organised with this monthly session. Bring your own notebook and pen and discover how using pen and paper can help improve your wellbeing. Reflect on the last month and set goals and build healthy habits for the coming weeks with a brew and biscuit.
Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging women to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing. Through her workshops, Emma provides an introduction to journaling and modern calligraphy in the context of mindfulness, building self-esteem, goal setting and more, all while having fun with pen and paper.

£5

Booking is essential. Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/

Touching the sublime - English Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts talk
2023-02-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
On Wednesday 22nd February at 2pm in the Reading Room, the brilliant Mark Cottle will be back to give a talk entitled ‘Touching the sublime – English Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts‘.
Following a brief look at Anglo-Saxon illumination (e.g. Lindisfarne Gospels) Mark Cottle’s lecture will move on to Romanesque art with reference to the York Psalter and great Bibles like the Winchester Bible. It will then focus on the Golden Age of gothic illumination with reference to the Sherborne Missal, Luttrell Psalter and Bedford Hours, among others. The aim of this lecture is to place this art form in context and give an indication of the nature and scale of a remarkable artistic achievement.
Tickets are allocated by a ballot system. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to be entered into the ballot for a ticket. The ballot closes on Tuesday 14th February. We ask for a suggested donation of £5. Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 7)
2023-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 6)
2023-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Cornish Legends - A talk by Charlotte MacKenzie
2023-02-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
On Saturday 18th February at 2pm the author Charlotte MacKenzie will be giving a talk about Cornish folklore
Charlotte will explore some of the relationships between historical individuals and Cornish legends. From the Cornish folklorists to the Brontës. Several people in her latest book, Cornish Legends had close associations with Penzance. Her continuing research switches the focus onto Cornish folklore and healthcare.
Charlotte MacKenzie is the author of nine books, seven of which are about Cornwall. Most recently, Cornish legends (2022). She has jointly written, edited, or contributed to others. She was previously a senior lecturer in history at Bath Spa University. Her latest research has a grant from the Q fund.
Entry is £5 by donation to help raise funds for Morrab Library. Refreshments will be provided after the talk.
Tickets are allocated by a ballot system. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 by Friday 10th March if you would like to be added to the ballot.

Super Story Time at Morrab Library!
2023-02-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
Thursday 16th February 10.30-12.00
Everything about Billy is back to front. His hair grows sideways, his pants go outside his trousers and his words go all over the place! One day, he wants to wake up and not be noticed by anyone but when his wish comes true, he realises life is not quite so much fun…
Come to Morrab Library in odd shoes and socks, listen to a jolly good story and try painting yourself up-side-down!
This workshop session will be led by Jak Stringer, former librarian of Heamoor CP School, who believes in the creative superpower of a good story.
Super Storytime is a journey for 4 to 8-year-olds but there will be refreshments for the grown-ups they bring along too. Booking is essential so please let us know if you would like to come along so we can make sure we have enough cake!
All children will need to be accompanied by an adult. We ask for a suggested donation of £5.
Contact us at enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or telephone:01736 364474 to book a place.

Creative writing workshop for 8-14 year olds with Bridget Crowley
2023-02-14 10:15 - 13:00 | Morrab Library
We’re thinking ahead to the February Half Term holiday already and have a lovely creative writing workshop planned (rescheduled from the October Half Term) for 8-14 year olds on Tuesday 14th February from 10.15am – 1pm.
The brilliant children’s author Bridget Crowley will use old postcards from Morrab Library Photographic Archive to spark off ideas for creative writing that will light up a brighter future for Penwith. There will be writing games, plenty of ideas for the budding writer (and cake too!).
Just suppose … that the thing you love most about Penwith was about to disappear. What would you do?
Just suppose … that endangered plants started to flourish once again in Penwith?
Just suppose … that you could change one thing about Penwith to make it even better than it is. What would it be?
The pieces created at the workshop will then be posted into the Penwith Postbox to be included in the Penwith Futures Book the very special book that the Morrab Library is compiling, filled with positive ideas from the people of Penwith for the future of this special place. The book will be kept safe in the library for all to read and to inspire change.
We ask for a suggested donation of £5. Booking is essential and please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk if you’d like to book a place. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the workshop.

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 5)
2023-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Humphry Davy notebooks transcribe-a-thon at Morrab Library
2023-02-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Morrab Library
Saturday, 11 February 2023, 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Since the beginning of 2021 a project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by Professor Sharon Ruston of the University of Lancaster, has been imaging, transcribing and providing light critical apparatus of the manuscript notebooks of the Penzance-born chemist and poet, Humphry Davy (1778-1829). These notebooks, of which there are just over eighty, are held by the Royal Institution in London and Kresen Kernow in Redruth. They cover the whole range of Davy’s activities from his teenage years in Penzance, through his work on nitrous oxide in Bristol and his lecturing and scientific discoveries (including sodium and potassium) made at the Royal Institution, as well as his poetry (he was a close friend of Coleridge’s), travelling and fishing.
The results of this work will soon start to be freely available on the Digital Collections website of the University of Lancaster. For more details of the project see https://wp.lancs.ac.uk/davynotebooks/.
The initial transcriptions are made by more 2000 volunteers using the Zooniverse platform (https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/humphrydavy/davy-notebooks-project). As part this work the project has run a number of transcribe-a-thons where volunteers meet either on-line or more recently in person to transcribe collaboratively Davy’s notebooks.
On Saturday 11 February the Morrab Library (which holds a number of items relating to Davy and his family) will be hosting, both in person and on-line, a transcribe-a-thon. If you are interested in being there in person, please contact: frank.james@ucl.ac.uk (note in-person places are limited and
you will need to bring your own laptop). To participate on-line please book via this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/humphry-davy-notebooks-transcribe-a-thon-tickets-514795004717
Programme:
1.00 Welcome and introduction to the project
1.15 Transcribing a Davy notebook
2.15 Talk ‘Davy and Cornwall’ by Professor Frank James (UCL and a Co-I on the project)
2.40 Tea and pasties
3.00 Transcribing a Davy notebook
3.50 Feedback
4.00 End

Document from the Prince Regent awarding Davy his baronetcy in 1818, held at Morrab Library.

Intro to modern calligraphy
2023-02-10 14:15 - 2023-03-26 15:45, 2023-01-13 14:15 - 15:45 | Morrab Library
Get to grips with brush lettering – learn the basic strokes, get tips and tricks, and try products before you buy. Emma will also be hosting monthly lettering workshops for those who have already attended an intro session. These will feature a range of seasonal projects.

Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging women to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing. Through her workshops, Emma provides an introduction to journaling and modern calligraphy in the context of mindfulness, building self-esteem, goal setting and more, all while having fun with pen and paper.

£8 – includes brush pen

Booking is essential. Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/

Intro to creative journaling
2023-02-10 13:10 - 14:10, 2023-01-13 13:10 - 14:10 | Morrab Library
In this introduction to creative journaling class, discover how using pen and paper can help improve your wellbeing!

Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging women to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing. Through her workshops, Emma provides an introduction to journaling and modern calligraphy in the context of mindfulness, building self-esteem, goal setting and more, all while having fun with pen and paper.

£8 – includes notebook and pen

Booking is essential. Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 4)
2023-02-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 3)
2023-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Painting Penwith: a retrospective of paintings by Katharine Mair
2023-01-28 15:00 - 2023-02-11 16:00 | daisy laing gallery, Old Bakehouse Lane, Chapel Street, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4AE, United Kingdom
All are welcome to pop down to the Daisy Laing Gallery in Penzance to a retrospective exhibition of the paintings by Katharine Mair, a much missed Morrab Library member.
Katharine’s beautiful paintings of Penwith will be exhibited at the gallery from Saturday 28th January to Saturday 11th February and the private view is taking place on Saturday 28th January, from 3-6pm. All are very welcome to attend. The paintings are for sale and all of proceeds will be donated to The UN Refugee Agency UK for UNHCR to help refugees survive the bitter cold this winter.
The Daisy Laing Gallery is open from Tuesday – Saturday, 11am-4pm.
(Old Bakehouse Lane, Chapel Street, Penzance TR18 4AE)

Penzance (County) Girls' Grammar School, 1913-1980 | Open day/ Drop in
2023-01-25 10:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Calling all teachers and pupils of Penzance County Girls Grammar School and anyone interested in the school!
Drop into Morrab Library on Wednesday 25th January, between 10:30 and 15:30, to …

Explore the archives,
Admire the Library
Meet the Committee
Renew old friendships
Share stories
Bring personal archives of your time

Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch if you’d like to and your own mug, if possible.
For more information about the event contact Gillian Thomas (Gill@gillianthomas.co.uk) or call 07973166820 or look at PGGS Facebook page/messenger.

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 2)
2023-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Astrology for the Everyday | Tracking Transits | 10-week new course (week 1)
2023-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Super 'Christmas' Storytime
2022-12-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
We’re back for Christmas – Join us for Super Storytime!
Tuesday 20th December 10.30am -12.00pm
Wolf is feeling offended and indignant: All the wolves he’s ever read about are nasty, scary, and greedy! To set the record straight he decides to write a story about a nice wolf. But will his wolfish instincts get the better of him after all?
Come and listen to a jolly good snow story and do some really Christmassy, Christmas activities – party gear optional!
This workshop session will be led by Jak Stringer, former librarian of Heamoor CP School, who believes in the creative superpower of a good story.
Super Storytime is a journey for 4 to 8-year-olds but there will be refreshments for the grown-ups they bring along! Booking is essential, and places book up fast, so please let us know if you would like to come along so we can make sure we have enough cake!
All children will need to be accompanied by an adult. We ask for a suggested donation of £5.
Contact us at enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or telephone:01736 364474 to book a place.

Creative Journalling & Mindfulness for Children
2022-12-17 13:15 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging children to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing.
Emma will be running two ‘Creative journaling and mindfulness’ sessions for children on Saturday 17th December at 1:15-2:15 & 2:30- 3:30pm.
These sessions are aimed at children in Key Stages 1 and 2.
Tickets are £5 per child and include a starter pack with a notebook, pencil, and stickers.
Siblings aged four and under are welcome to attend at no additional cost and colouring sheets and pens will be available to help keep them entertained too.
Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/

Researching Crysede...a talk by Janet Axten
2022-12-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Janet Axten, MA, is currently researching the history of women in the textile industry in West Cornwall. She is also part of a new venture, Crysede Collective, which aims to promote the Newlyn/St Ives/Hayle silk company that flourished between 1918 and 1953.
Her illustrated talk will provide an overview of the history of Crysede, originally created by Alec Walker and his wife Kay Earle. It will also focus on the current research being undertaken, in order to understand, far more fully, the role of women in this almost forgotten industry.
We will allocate tickets by a ballot system. Email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to register your interest in attending by Monday 28th November. We will then draw out names and let you know if you have been successful.
Suggested donation £5. Refreshments will be available after the talk.

Lettering Workshop - Make Your Own Christmas Decorations
2022-12-02 14:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Emma Farley is a local feminist bookworm and stationery addict, encouraging women to explore the joys of reading and journaling to feel inspired, empowered and improve their mental wellbeing. Through her workshops, Emma provides an introduction to journaling and modern calligraphy in the context of mindfulness, building self-esteem, goal setting and more, all while having fun with pen and paper.
This workshop will be an extra-special Christmas session where Emma will guide you through creating your own beautifully lettered Christmas decorations to take home or give to your loved ones!
Emma’s workshop at Morrab Library on will be on Friday 2nd December from 2.30pm – 3.30pm.
Email Emma directly to ask any questions and to book your ticket: e.farley27@gmail.com
Find out more on Emma’s website: https://acornishgeek.com/2017/03/19/welcome-to-a-cornish-geek/
