The Morrab Library

Artist in residence – Claire Lucas “In My Element” | 14th – 18th October
2025-10-15 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
Our latest artist-in-residence Claire Lucas has been hard at work since August, working on her project entitled “In My Element”.
Her residency culminates (or possibly starts its next phase!) in the week of 14th-18th October, when Claire will exhibit her work in the Elizabeth Treffry Room and deliver a talk about her time with us. Over the last few months, she has been drawing small pencil portraits of members, volunteers and staff, as well as capturing their thoughts about the library, which will be on display. Over the course of next week, Claire will be working on more portraits, and asking anyone who’d like to, to help her create a collaborative piece of integrated art and writing, that celebrates the theme of ‘in my element’ in the library community.
Claire will be in situ in the Elizabeth Treffry Room all day Tuesday, Thursday afternoon, all day Friday and on Saturday morning, so please drop in to see her work and say hello, and take part if you would like to. The exhibition will be open to see all week.
Claire will also be giving a talk on Saturday the 18th at 2pm about her residency, and the process of using creativity to find your way home to yourself, and how place, space, surroundings and shared experiences can be the ‘element’ in which this process comes alive. Get in touch with the library to join the ballot.
You can read more about Claire, her work and her residency on this blog: https://morrablibrary.org.uk/clairelucas/

Artist in residence - Claire Lucas "In My Element" | 14th - 18th October
2025-10-14 10:00 - 16:00

Free tour of The Morrab Library
2025-10-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
All are welcome to join a free guided tour of The Morrab Library every Friday at 2pm. This is an opportunity to learn more about our beautiful independent Library and the collections within.
The tour begins at 2pm, it is drop-in and there is no need to book. If you plan to bring a large group (6+ people) please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk and we will do our best to accommodate you.
For accessibility information, please click here.
We also welcome visitors to the Library at any time during our opening hours (10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday) when you are welcome to pick up a map of the Library at the front desk and explore the library

Library Talk l Nicholas St Aubyn l Jacobite Traitor or Cornish hero? The two lives of Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt.
2025-10-08 14:00 - 15:00
Our next Library talk will be with Nicholas St Aubyn with their talk, Jacobite Traitor or Cornish hero? The two lives of Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt. This will take place in the Reading Room from 2pm-3pm on Wednesday 8th October.
Nicholas St Aubyn’s ‘Saints and Sinners’, a new history of his family over 1000 years, has mined the Borlase archive at The Morrab Library. One startling revelation has been to cast in a new light the famed 18th Century political battle between Sir Robert Walpole and his arch enemy Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt., of whom Walpole complained “all these men have their price, except the little Cornish baronet”.
On October 8th, Nicholas will trace the deadly enmity which grew between the irredeemably corrupt ‘first prime minister’ and the fiercely independent MP for Cornwall. He will reveal how the notorious ‘Skewis Affair’, Sir John’s triumph at the fall of Walpole, and a secret Jacobite plot with France, were all connected – in one of the most extraordinary episodes in British – and Cornish – history.
Cornish hero, or a traitor to his country? Saint or sinner? Judge Sir John for yourself.
Nicholas St Aubyn won a scholarship to Oxford, where he read politics and philosophy, before working in the City. He later ran West Country businesses, winning awards for enterprise and innovation. He stood in Truro, including the 1987 by-election, before becoming MP for Guildford. Custom of the County, his first novel, was shortlisted for the Winston Graham Prize. “A fast-paced adventure” (Western Morning News), it “weaves a fascinating tapestry out of the remnants of historical evidence” (BBC Cornwall).
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 Monday 29th September.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).
Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

Relaxed Relaxed Book Group at The Morrab Library
2025-09-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
About the group:
A friendly group for anyone who loves books but doesn’t want the pressure of a traditional book club.
Rather than reading a specific book, we share what’s on our bookshelf or simply come for tea, biscuits and company in the beautiful book-filled atmosphere of The Morrab library.
No library membership is required and there’s no compulsory reading list.
Audiobook listeners are just as welcome as traditional readers.
We explore all types of books, swap books and share recommendations. Our discussions focus on what we’re looking for in a book and whether and when, we’ve found it.
When: The last Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-3pm. The first session will take place on Tuesday 25th March
Where: The Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance, TR18 4DA
How to book: To join the group contact Jo Buckingham by email jo.buckingham.palace@gmail.com
Suggested donation £3.
About the group leader:
Joanna Buckingham started her first relaxed book group with friends in 2019 and got the idea of starting one at Morrab Library when working as a social prescriber as a way of creating supportive communities.
She loves the camaraderie and support of doing things in groups and the immersive experience of reading. She loves reading widely across many genres.
She’s organised group events and experiences in such diverse locations as tall ships and tin mines.
Joanna has set up and supported numerous groups whilst working in the museum and adventurous activity industry and as a social prescriber.
She is a level 3 trained counsellor and knows the importance of both being a good listener and having a good book to fall back on in times of need (Cold Comfort farm by Stella Gibbons always works for her)

Study Mornings | Before the Normans Came: The World of Anglo-Saxon England with Mark Cottle
2025-09-20 10:15 - 13:00, 2025-09-06 10:15 - 13:00 | Morrab Library
We’re always delighted to welcome Mark Cottle to the library for one of his excellent talks or study days. Starting later this month, Mark will run a course of five study mornings at the Library on the subject of the world of Anglo-Saxon England.
Over a period of nearly six centuries, Anglo-Saxon England grew to become one of the richest, best administered and culturally dynamic Kingdoms of Western Europe.
Mark Cottle’s course of five study mornings tracks these developments with particular reference to: Kingship and Kingdoms (Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex); the conversion to Christianity (the Roman and Irish missions); and arts and literature (the Lindisfarne Gospels and Anglo-Saxon poetry with particular reference to Beowulf).
Course members will receive a folder with handouts supporting all parts of the course and an annotated reading list. All-comers are welcome.
The course will take place in the Reading Room at The Morrab Library. It will run for five consecutive Saturday mornings, 10.15am – 1pm, from Saturday 23rd August until Saturday 20th September inclusive. A break, with tea and coffee, will be provided.
The course fee is £85 payable directly to Mark Cottle. Please email Mark (explorhist@outlook.com) to book your place – places are limited.

Sorry to say there is no Free tour of The Morrab Library today
2025-09-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
We’re sorry to say we won’t be able to offer a library tour this Friday afternoon (19th September).
Normal service will resume at 2.00pm next Friday 26th September.

Study Mornings | Before the Normans Came: The World of Anglo-Saxon England with Mark Cottle
2025-09-13 10:15 - 13:00 | Morrab Library
We’re always delighted to welcome Mark Cottle to the library for one of his excellent talks or study days. Starting later this month, Mark will run a course of five study mornings at the Library on the subject of the world of Anglo-Saxon England.
Over a period of nearly six centuries, Anglo-Saxon England grew to become one of the richest, best administered and culturally dynamic Kingdoms of Western Europe.
Mark Cottle’s course of five study mornings tracks these developments with particular reference to: Kingship and Kingdoms (Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex); the conversion to Christianity (the Roman and Irish missions); annd arts and literature (the Lindisfarne Gospels and Anglo-Saxon poetry with particular reference to Beowulf).
Course members will receive a folder with handouts supporting all parts of the course and an annotated reading list. All-comers are welcome.
The course will take place in the Reading Room at The Morrab Library. It will run for five consecutive Saturday mornings, 10.15am – 1pm, from Saturday 23rd August until Saturday 20th September inclusive. A break, with tea and coffee, will be provided.
The course fee is £85 payable directly to Mark Cottle. Please email Mark (explorhist@outlook.com) to book your place – places are limited.

Free tour of The Morrab Library
2025-09-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-05 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-29 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-15 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
All are welcome to join a free guided tour of The Morrab Library every Friday at 2pm. This is an opportunity to learn more about our beautiful independent Library and the collections within.
The tour begins at 2pm, it is drop-in and there is no need to book. If you plan to bring a large group (6+ people) please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk and we will do our best to accommodate you.
For accessibility information, please click here.
We also welcome visitors to the Library at any time during our opening hours (10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday) when you are welcome to pick up a map of the Library at the front desk and explore the library.

Rare Books Open Day
2025-09-04 10:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Join us as we showcase more of The Morrab Library’s collection of rare and historic books. While always available to view by appointment, these special books are rarely seen as they are usually stored in secure, environmentally controlled conditions.
On Thursday 4th September from 10.00am – 3.00pm, the library will again host an Open Day, where some of the treasures from our collections will be exhibited. Highlights this time will include works by Sir Humphry Davy, Emily and Anne Bronte, John Ruskin and Richard Carew, and books that will transport you to Ancient Egypt, the Alhambra Palace, and to the world of ancient sea-dragons and fossils.
These collections have been donated and collected over the last 200 years and this is an opportunity to get to know more about some of the important and special items we care for.
A number of our titles are in need of conservation, so if you are inspired to make a donation towards the care of these incredible collections, we would be very grateful.

Library Talks | The History and Art of Church Bell Ringing with Mary Jones
2025-09-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Our next Library talk is a musical one from Mary Jones who will be inviting us to learn more about the History and Art of Bellringing. This will take place in the Reading Room from 2pm-3pm on Wednesday 3rd September.
Come and learn more about the world’s largest and loudest musical instrument, discover how bells are rung full circle and have a play with some handbells! Mary Jones’ talk will also be an opportunity to learn about the historical connection between church bells and firing cannons, as well as why bellringers live longer.
Mary Jones moved to Cornwall in 1988 and retired in 2013 after 35 years in frontline social work with children and families. She came to bell ringing after meeting some local ringers while in the cast of the 1996 Zennor panto and in 2014 she started a new band at Towednack Church. Her aim is to get new recruits bell ringing safely and offers individual tuition.
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 Monday 25th August.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).

Study Mornings | Before the Normans Came: The World of Anglo-Saxon England with Mark Cottle
2025-08-30 10:15 - 13:00, 2025-08-23 10:15 - 13:00 | Morrab Library
We’re always delighted to welcome Mark Cottle to the library for one of his excellent talks or study days. Starting later this month, Mark will run a course of five study mornings at the Library on the subject of the world of Anglo-Saxon England.
Over a period of nearly six centuries, Anglo-Saxon England grew to become one of the richest, best administered and culturally dynamic Kingdoms of Western Europe.
Mark Cottle’s course of five study mornings tracks these developments with particular reference to: Kingship and Kingdoms (Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex); the conversion to Christianity (the Roman and Irish missions); arts and literature (the Lindisfarne Gospels and Anglo-Saxon poetry with particular reference to Beowulf).
Course members will receive a folder with handouts supporting all parts of the course and an annotated reading list. All-comers are welcome.
The course will take place in the Reading Room at The Morrab Library. It will run for five consecutive Saturday mornings at The Morrab Library, 10.15am – 1pm, from Saturday 23rd August until Saturday 20th September inclusive. A break, with tea and coffee, will be provided.
The course fee is £85 payable to Mark Cottle. Please email Mark (explorhist@outlook.com) to book your place – places are limited.

Stoicism and the Tranquil Mind - with Darren Harper
2025-08-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Stoicism and the Tranquil Mind – a day course with Darren Harper
Wednesday 27th August 2025
10am until 3pm £60
Part of a two-day Philosophy Summer School, this workshop explores Stoic calm with Seneca—learn tools for serenity, resilience & peace in a day of reflection, insight & practical wisdom.
Book both days for £100.
Email hello@wanderingsage.net to book.

A Philosophy of Nature - with Darren Harper
2025-08-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
A Philosophy of Nature – a day course with Darren Harper
Tuesday 26th August 2025
10am until 3pm £60
Part of a two-day Philosophy Summer School, this workshop delivers a contemplative day of nature, philosophy, and stillness — walking with Thoreau, Daoism, and Deep Ecology.
Book both days for £100.
Email hello@wanderingsage.net to book.

Library Talks | Portraits in Stone: The Great Cathedrals of Medieval England
2025-08-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
On Wednesday 20th August, Mark Cottle will be returning to the library to give another fascinating lecture, this time on the subject of the great cathedrals of England. This will take place in the Reading Room from 2pm-3pm.
Over five hundred years the great medieval cathedrals of England were built. In terms of resources called upon, space covered, design and craftsmanship employed, this period marks the greatest single architectural achievement in English history.
From Durham to Gloucester the lecture follows the evolution of cathedral building with reference to structural and aesthetic details together with some of the fascinating figures and events behind them.
Mark Cottle is a former teacher but now a freelance lecturer with many years’ experience in lecturing. He lives in Devon but is a frequent visitor to Penzance, regularly giving illustrated talks and study mornings at The Morrab Library on subjects as diverse as illuminated manuscripts and the English Miniature.
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 Monday 11th August.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5). Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

CANCELLED - Super Storytime with Jan Pearson | Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
2025-08-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
This event has been cancelled.
We’re looking forward to another lovely Super Summer Storytime with one of our storytelling volunteers, Jan Pearson, who will be returning to the Library on Tuesday 19th August (10.30-12) to read ‘The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig’.
This is the familiar story of the three little pig – but not as we know it! Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbury’s inversion of the classic fable will be brought to life by Jan and followed by lots of activities inspired by the book.
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 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.
Contact us at enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or telephone 01736 364474 to book a place. Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).

Did William Shakespeare Write the Works of William Shakespeare? A talk by Sarah Menage
2025-08-16 13:30 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Join Sarah Menage on Saturday the 16th August as she takes a light-hearted but searching look at the identity of our great bard.
Stratford-upon-Avon born and bred performer, songwriter, novelist and Shakespeare enthusiast, Sarah will demonstrate why there is an authorship problem and touch upon the most popular of its intriguing solutions.
Be prepared for 90 minutes of illustrated talk, starting at 1.30 sharp and finishing at 3.00 for tea, biscuits and what will surely be a lively chat.
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 Monday 4th August.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).
Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

A Roll of the Dice - Make your own game with James
2025-08-13 10:00 - 12:30
This Summer holiday James Parnham-Kenny of If Not A Tavern games will be leading a game making workshop at the library. He will be encouraging attendees to play a game or two, gather some ideas and then put their skills to the test to design sone of their own!
A Roll of the Dice is aimed at 8 to 12 year-olds but there will be refreshments for the grown-ups they bring along! Booking is essential so please let us know if you would like to come along so we can make sure we have enough material! All children will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Contact us at enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or telephone 01736 364474 to book a place.
Entry to this event is £5 and any additional donations to the library are gratefully received.
Find out more about James’ work: ifnotatavern.wordpress.com or multivaxsite.com

Landmarks and Legends - a talk by Linda Camidge
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
Join writer, performer, historian and library volunteer Linda Camidge for what will be a fascinating talk.
Since moving into Penzance and starting to research the history of the town 30 years ago, Linda has amassed a million words. She plans to use the information – much of which was gathered from the Morrab Library – to produce a short series of books: ‘Histories of Penzance’. Each published chapter will have a digital ‘companion text’, giving further information, updates and links.
The first volume, Landmarks and Legends, has recently been published. It looks in detail at some of the sites and stories that have made Penzance what it is: expect Sir Humphry and his various legacies, the ‘Battlefields’ – and how St. Anthony got his own, special Gardens.
This is a second chance to enjoy the presentation given on July 2nd as part of Penzance Literary Festival. Copies of the book will be available to buy at the special discounted price of £15 (cash or cheque) .
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 Wednesday 30 July.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5). Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

CANCELLED Super 'Summer' Storytime with Jak - Voices in the Park
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Four different voices tell their own versions of the same walk in the park. A simple story but with key themes, such as alienation, friendship and the bizarre amid the mundane.
Join us on Thursday 7th August from 10.30 for the second of our summer holiday events. This fun workshop led by Jak Stringer, will include colourful activities, crazy games and catchy tunes – please wear your painting gear and watch out for gorillas!
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 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.
