The Morrab Library

Rare Books Open Day at The Morrab Library | Thursday 10th October
2024-10-10 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Morrab Library
The Morrab Library holds a vast array of rare, historic and important books in its collections. The most special of all are stored securely, available to view by appointment, but rarely seen.
On Thursday 10th October, the library will host an Open Day, where some of the finest examples of published works from our collections will be on display. Included will be works by Aristotle, Plutarch, Kipling and Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes, as well as important and rare Cornish volumes by William Borlase, Arthur Quiller-Couch and Humphry Davy.
These collections have been donated and collected over the last 200 years and this is an opportunity to get to know 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.

Fun Palace | Emma Farley
2024-10-05 10:00 - 15:30
Emma Farley will be running creative wellbeing workshops for all ages, including creative journaling, scratch art, watercolour, and more. There will be a notebook and pen for all attendees as long as stocks last.
Find out more about the Fun Palace events here: https://morrablibrary.org.uk/event/fun-palaces-at-the-morrab-library/
Booking is essential for all workshops. Email e.farley27@gmail.com.
Emma is a life-long stationery addict, encouraging others to explore the joys of creative journaling and modern calligraphy, whilst improving their wellbeing. She has a PGCE, plus Level 2 qualifications in Understanding Autism and Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health. She’s also a Mental Health First Aider and Health and Wellbeing Coach.
Find out more: www.instagram.com/acornishgeekletters

Fun Palaces at The Morrab Library
2024-10-05 10:00 - 15:00
On Saturday 5th October, The Morrab Library will, for the first time, join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally to be filled with free and fun activities for all ages.
Pop down to The Morrab Library between 10am-3pm for a day of stories, writing, workshops and much more. Emma Farley will be running creative wellbeing workshops for all ages, including creative journaling, scratch art, watercolour, and more. There will be a notebook and pen for all attendees as long as stocks last.
And that’s not all! Our very own James Parnham-Kenny, who runs Multivax on the days when he’s not one of our Library Assistants, will be telling stories in the reading room, along with story making activities and a mini trail.
Fun Palaces is an ongoing national and international campaign, nurturing and supporting the potential and positivity of sharing people’s enthusiasms, passions and skills with their own local community. Fun Palaces has an annual weekend of events each October, although Fun Palaces can also happen at any time of year. Find out all the info about other Fun Palaces in Cornwall and across the country here.
All of the Fun Palace activities are FREE, for all and drop-in between 10am and 3pm

Free tour of The Morrab Library
2024-10-04 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-27 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-20 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-13 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-09-06 14:00 - 15:30
All are welcome to join a free to 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.

The Joy of Drawing with local artist Claire Lucas
2024-10-03 10:15 - 12:45
Local artist Claire Lucas is returning to Morrab Library in September to run an 8 session term of art classes.
The Joy of Drawing will run fortnightly, starting Sept 5th, 10.15am-12.45pm, £175 for the term.
Using slideshows, demonstrations and a wide range of drawing activities, Claire will help you to develop your drawing skills, find subject matter that inspires you and media that suits your style and temperament.
You will learn how to use line, tone, and composition to create drawings that you are proud of and thoroughly enjoy creating.
All levels of experience are welcome, including absolute beginners.
Maximum class size of 8. Booking is essential. Call Claire on 07532174802, or contact via her website, www.clairelucasart.com
“ Claire is a gifted teacher whose broad knowledge of art media and techniques is taught with kindness & encouragement. Her classes are relaxed but dynamic and she helps you find what works for you with such positivity and enthusiasm! “ CB ‘24
“My confidence and ability (and mental health) have improved significantly due to Claire’s gentle, positive approach” CW ‘24

Creative Journaling
2024-09-27 13:30 - 15:30
1:30-3:30pm. £10/person. Bring your own notebook. Refreshments provided. Optional £5 starter pack for newbies featuring a notebook, pen, and roll of washi tape

This monthly workshop is an opportunity for people to get together and journal in a safe space with plenty of goodies to play with. There is a loose structure, with templates, tips, and tricks, ensuring attendees get what they need from the session rather than following a strict plan.

Booking is essential for all workshops. Email e.farley27@gmail.com.

Emma is a life-long stationery addict, encouraging others to explore the joys of creative journaling and modern calligraphy, whilst improving their wellbeing. She has a PGCE, plus Level 2 qualifications in Understanding Autism and Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health. She’s also a Mental Health First Aider and Health and Wellbeing Coach.

Find out more: www.instagram.com/acornishgeekletters

Library Talks | Philip Riley & Nadia Peters Artist in Residence
2024-09-25 14:00 - 15:00
Join our artists-in-residence, Philip Riley and Nadia Peters, as they present a talk outlining their work and inspirations during their time at The Morrab Library. Learn how they used our historic book collection as a visual and literary starting point for the creation of sculptural work, particularly the work of Conrad Gesner’s 16th century work ‘Historia Animalium’.
They’ll also discuss their workshops with local primary school St Levan’s, inspiring them to create art based on the fantastic creatures depicted by Gesner.
Nadia Peters is a mixed media installation artist based in Manchester. Her work is inspired by her surroundings and incorporates found objects.
Phil Riley is a Cyprus based artist. Working in plaster using natural forms found on location, his practice now includes casting in sand. Phil’s subject matter is influenced by both his international and Uk artist residencies.
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 16th 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.

My Family and Other Animals – Artist Residency with Nadia Peters & Philip Riley
2024-09-25 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-17 10:00 - 16:00
September will see us welcome artists Philip Riley and Nadia Peters to the library, where they will explore the library’s relationship with nature, taking inspiration from our historic book collection.
Philip and Nadia work collaboratively with mixed media, inspired by their surroundings and incorporating found objects. From the 16th-25th September they will aim to use our historic book collection as a visual and literary starting point for the creation of sculptural work. They will focus particularly on the animal images from the work of Swiss naturalist, Conrad Gesner and his important 16th century encyclopedia Historia Animalium, (you can read a library blog about Gesner here). Found organic and vintage material collected locally will be incorporated into their sculptural response to the library building, historic artefacts and the location itself.
As well as the opportunity to meet the artists each day of the residency as they work on their creations, Philip and Nadia will present a talk about how the library and its collections has influenced and inspired their work on the 25th September.
The artists will also host workshops at the local St Levan Primary School, where students will have the opportunity to work with Philip and Nadia to create images based on the fantastic creatures depicted in Historia Animalium, which will subsequently be displayed at the library on the day of the talk.
Nadia Peters is a mixed media installation artist based in Manchester. Her work is inspired by her surroundings and incorporates found objects. Phil Riley is a Cyprus based artist. Working in plaster using natural forms found on location, his practice now includes casting in sand. Phil’s subject matter is influenced by both his international and Uk artist residencies.
We look forward to welcoming them and introducing you to their work.

My Family and Other Animals – Artist Residency with Nadia Peters & Philip Riley
2024-09-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-09-19 10:00 - 16:00
September will see us welcome artists Philip Riley and Nadia Peters to the library, where they will explore the library’s relationship with nature, taking inspiration from our historic book collection.
Philip and Nadia work collaboratively with mixed media, inspired by their surroundings and incorporating found objects. From the 16th-25th September they will aim to use our historic book collection as a visual and literary starting point for the creation of sculptural work. They will focus particularly on the animal images from the work of Swiss naturalist, Conrad Gesner and his important 16th century encyclopedia Historia Animalium, (you can read a library blog about Gesner here). Found organic and vintage material collected locally will be incorporated into their sculptural response to the library building, historic artefacts and the location itself.
As well as the opportunity to meet the artists each day of the residency as they work on their creations, Philip and Nadia will present a talk about how the library and its collections has influenced and inspired their work on the 25th September.
The artists will also host workshops at the local St Levan Primary School, where students will have the opportunity to work with Philip and Nadia to create images based on the fantastic creatures depicted in Historia Animalium, which will subsequently be displayed at the library on the day of the talk.
Nadia Peters is a mixed media installation artist based in Manchester. Her work is inspired by her surroundings and incorporates found objects. Phil Riley is a Cyprus based artist. Working in plaster using natural forms found on location, his practice now includes casting in sand. Phil’s subject matter is influenced by both his international and Uk artist residencies.
We look forward to welcoming them and introducing you to their work

The Joy of Drawing with local artist Claire Lucas
2024-09-19 10:15 - 12:45
Local artist Claire Lucas is returning to Morrab Library in September to run an 8 session term of art classes
The Joy of Drawing will run fortnightly, starting Sept 5th, 10.15am-12.45pm, £200 for the term.
Using slideshows, demonstrations and a wide range of drawing activities, Claire will help you to develop your drawing skills, find subject matter that inspires you and media that suits your style and temperament.
You will learn how to use line, tone, and composition to create drawings that you are proud of and thoroughly enjoy creating.
All levels of experience are welcome, including absolute beginners.
Maximum class size of 8. Booking is essential. Call Claire on 07532174802, or contact via her website, www.clairelucasart.com
“ Claire is a gifted teacher whose broad knowledge of art media and techniques is taught with kindness & encouragement. Her classes are relaxed but dynamic and she helps you find what works for you with such positivity and enthusiasm! “ CB ‘24
“My confidence and ability (and mental health) have improved significantly due to Claire’s gentle, positive approach” CW ‘24

Library Talks | The Seaweed Institute Book Launch
2024-09-18 14:00 - 15:00
Our next Library Talk will be an introduction to The Seaweed Institute’s first book Gomonna, in collaboration with the independent publisher Ancient Magic. This talk will take place in the Reading Room on Wednesday 18th September at 2pm.
Gomonna celebrates seaweed and Cornwall. It spans stories, research, foraging insights and recipes. Illustrated with historical photographs and seaweed pressings.
Kerry Holbrook and Ruth Klückers run The Seaweed Institute and have hosted several workshops in The Morrab Library, exploring this Victorian practice and capturing the underwater beauty of seaweeds.
Tickets for the talk are allocated by a ballot system. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to be entered into the ballot for up to two tickets (please specify). The ballot closes on Monday 9th 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.
The Seaweed Institute will also be at The Morrab Library on Saturday 14th September when they will be running a Seaweed Pressing workshop (more info here). This will involve a walk to the foreshore of Mounts Bay to search for seaweeds and learn about sustainable harvesting, tides and edible species. Back at the library, you will have the chance to view the beautiful examples of historic seaweed pressings from our archive. You will start the pressing process and pieces will be posted to you when they are ready. Tickets for this workshop at £40 and available to book via Eventbrite only. The library is not taking bookings for this workshop.

SOLD OUT Study Morning | The Bayeux Tapestry and the Making of Medieval England
2024-09-14 10:15 - 13:15
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOW SOLD OUT. PLEASE EMAIL US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST (ENQUIRIES@MORRABLIBRARY.ORG.UK)

Join Mark Cottle for a Study Morning in the Reading Room at the Library from 10.15am –1.15pm.

The Bayeux Tapestry captures one of the great turning points in English history. William’s victory at Hastings, his reign and those of his two sons, William Rufus and Henry I were transformational.

In just 69 years the foundations of medieval England were laid: feudalism, knights, castles, the Exchequer, great cathedrals…..

With the help of course files we’ll take a closer look at a remarkable period somewhat overshadowed today by the Plantagenets and Tudors.

This study morning will run 10.15am to 1.15pm and includes a short break.
Price: £15. Please email (enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk) or call the Library (01736 364474) if you would like to book a place.
Payment must be made in advance of the workshop, in cash only. Pop into the Library before 14th September to pay for your ticket.

Seaweed Pressing at The Morrab Library
2024-09-14 10:00 - 13:30
Join us to learn the craft of seaweed pressing – a Victorian practice that captures the underwater beauty of seaweeds. This pressing workshop is particularly special as we are hosting it in collaborating with The Morrab Library, a beautiful library in Penzance.
From Morrab we will walk together to the foreshore of Mounts Bay to search for seaweeds to press. Whilst on the beach we will explain to you about sustainable harvesting, tides and point out edible species.
Back at the library we will get the chance to view the beautiful examples of historic seaweed pressings. The library’s archive is home to some incredible bound examples of original pressings collected in Mounts Bay.
The cultural history of seaweeds will be discussed and you will learn how to forage, store and use this abundant resource.
With inspiration from the archives we will start the pressing process . After laying out your designs they will be loaded into our seaweed press where they will dry over the next weeks. We will send your pieces to you via the post when they are ready.
Book here via Eventbrite. The library is not taking bookings.

Library Talks | Bumblebees in Cornwall
2024-08-28 14:00 - 15:00
Our second talk this month will be from Pip Cook, Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s SW Project Officer, for an introduction to the bumblebees we can find in Cornwall. The talk will be taking place in the Reading Room at 2pm on Wednesday 28th August and will be part of a celebration of bees at the Library taking place throughout that day (find out more in this blog post). In Pip’s role, she is particularly focusing on the Moss carder bumblebee (Bombus muscorum), one of the rarest and most threatened bumblebee species in the UK. It is a beautiful ginger-tailed bumblebee with a short velvety coat that was once widespread in the UK and is now found mostly in small, fragmented populations. The project involves collecting data on the Moss carder’s abundance and distribution at two key sites on Cornwall’s north coast, Penhale and Gwithian and Upton Towans and finding out more about its habitat needs. Bumblebee Conservation Trust hope this information will inform our conservation practices and hopefully help to reverse the Moss carder bumblebee’s decline. 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 19th 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. (Bumblebee photo credit Nick Withers)

Bee Day at The Morrab Library
2024-08-28 10:00 - 15:30
On Wednesday 28th August, we will be celebrating all things bees with the West Penwith Embroidered Bees Project and a talk from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

The West Penwith Embroidered Bee Project aims to raise awareness of the 270 different species of bee that live in Britain, and their varied needs, while also teaching embroidery skills, fostering connection and raising money for wildflower projects. Find out more about the project over on our blog.
On Wednesday 28th August, 10am – 12pm, the founder of the project Vicks Harrison will be leading a free embroidery workshop to learn how to make a bee to be stitched into a big art quilt.
No experience is necessary and attendees do not need to bring any fabric, thread or equipment, but any donations of material to contribute to the piece are always welcomed. Booking is essential and please email Vicks (vickyvicks@btinternet.com) to do so.
The quilt, in its present but ever-growing form, will also be on display in the Natural Sciences Room for the duration of the day. It will hang alongside a display of books about bees (which Library members can borrow on the day) as well as poems about bees written by Vivienne Tregenza. Pop in anytime between 10am – 3.30pm to see the display.
In the afternoon, Pip Cook from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will be giving a talk about Bumblebees in Cornwall. Find out more about it here and email the library (enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk) before 19th August to be added to the ballot for a ticket.

Creative Writing Workshop for 12-16 year olds | Ghost Story Writing with Bridget Crowley
2024-08-22 10:00 - 12:30
The Morrab Library doesn’t have a ghost, but what if it did?
In this creative writing workshop, we will use the wonderful old house, The Morrab Library, and some of the treasures within, as the starting point for writing our very own ghost stories.
Bridget Crowley is the author of five children’s books, three of which feature ghosts. In this workshop for 12-16 year olds, Bridget will share some tips for writing a story that thrills and chills, builds suspense and draws from real places and history to create the setting and character or a compelling plot. Bridget’s latest book ‘Wake Up Mr Kean’ is set in The Old Theatre in Penzance and her ghost is famous actor Edmund Kean who really performed there in the early 19th Century.
The workshop will take place in the Reading Room. Booking is essential. All materials and refreshments will be provided.
Entry is free but donations are welcome to support The Morrab Library (suggested £5). Booking is essential – email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to book a place.

Vanessa Bell: British Post Impressionist Artist, her life and art
2024-08-21 14:00 - 15:00
Our next Library talk will be from Sarah Latham Phillips MA who will be talking about the life and art of Vanessa Bell (1879 – 1961), British Post Impressionist Artist. This will take place in the Reading Room on Wednesday 21st August at 2pm.
This beautifully illustrated talk will focus on the life and art of one of our most interesting and famous female Modern British Artists, who trained at the RA & Slade schools and was a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Vanessa spent a considerable amount of her childhood in St Ives and was clearly influenced by its beauty, atmosphere and colours.
Sarah Latham Phillips is well-known in the West Country as a freelance lecturer and WEA Tutor. Sarah has been studying Bloomsbury art and literature for over thirty years and has published on Virginia Woolf as a Cubist Writer.
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 12th 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.

Creative prompts for crafting with James Parnham-Kenny
2024-08-20 10:30 - 13:30
You will know James Parnham-Kenny as one of our Library Assistants, but when he’s not at The Morrab Library he is a storyteller, podcaster and “general creative odd job handyman” with his creative company, Multivax. James will be running more of his creative workshops in the Summer.

3rd July – Lit Fest short story/poetry prompts & bookplate making! The perfect gift! 10:30 – 1:30pm. Sessions are £10 with a prompt booklet and pen to take away with you. Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.

7th August – Virtual campfire storytelling & writing workshop. 10:30 – 1:30pm.
Sessions are £10 with a prompt booklet and pen to take away with you. Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.
20th Aug – Maker meetup, have a craft project you want to crack on with/start but don’t want to do it alone? We’ll pop the kettle on! Network and get some creative prompts to take away! 10:30 – 1:30pm.
Sessions are £10 with a prompt booklet and pen to take away with you. Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.
Half term kids workshops:
30th July (Half Term) – Game making workshop/Tabletop role play game taster. 10:30 – 12:30pm & 1 – 3pm.
Sessions are £10 and include all the resources you need, plus a goodie to take away with you!. Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.
31st July (Half Term) – Game making workshop/Tabletop role play game taster. 10:30 – 12:30pm & 1 – 3pm.
Sessions are £10 and include all the resources you need, plus a goodie to take away with you! Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.
A reminder that he does have a workshop on the 26th June: Creative Communities taster session | Wednesday 26th June, 10am – 1pm
Come along if you’d like to stretch your creative muscles and network over a coffee. Have a creative hobby you want to share? Want to meet other creative people and bring along a project you’re working on? James will lead the session in a few creative writing activities for wellbeing, with an opportunity for people to share their own creative ventures.
£6 includes creativity prompt sheets and pen. Booking is essential. Email multivax@outlook.com to book a place.

Super Storytime with James and Jasper the Dragon
2024-08-14 10:30 - 12:00
The first of our school summer holiday events will be a Super Storytime with Library Assistant and Storyteller, James and Jasper the Dragon!
Do you know some silly rhymes? Book into our next Super Storytime for a funny time with Dr Seuss’ classic stories and then make some of your own rhymes.
Super Storytime will be taking place in the Reading Room on Wednesday 14th August from 10.30-12. It 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).

Seaweed Pressing Workshop SOLD OUT
2024-08-10 12:00 - 15:30
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
The Seaweed Institute invites you to join them to learn the craft of seaweed pressing – a Victorian practice that captures the underwater beauty of seaweeds. This pressing workshop is particularly special as they are hosting it in collaboration with The Morrab Library.
From The Morrab you will walk together to the foreshore of Mounts Bay to search for seaweeds to press. Whilst on the beach you will learn about sustainable harvesting, tides and edible species will be pointed out to you.
Back at the library you will have the chance to view some beautiful examples of historic seaweed pressings. The library’s archive is home to incredible bound examples of original pressings collected in Mounts Bay.
The cultural history of seaweeds will be discussed and you will learn how to forage, store and use this abundant resource.
With inspiration from the archives you will start the pressing process . After laying out your designs they will be loaded into the seaweed press where they will dry over the next weeks. The Institute will send your pieces to you via the post when they are ready.
The cost is £40.
The library is not taking bookings. You can book here via Eventbrite, or contact the Seaweed Institute.

Virtual campfire storytelling & writing workshop - James Parnham-Kenny
2024-08-07 10:30 - 13:30
