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

Intro to creative journaling
2023-02-10 13:10 - 14:10, 2023-03-17 13:10, 2023-04-21 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/

Intro to modern calligraphy
2023-02-10 14:15 - 2023-03-26 15:45, 2023-03-17 14:15 - 15:45, 2023-04-21 02:15 - 03:45 | 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/

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Creative journaling
2023-02-24 01:15 - 02:30, 2023-03-31 13:15 - 14:15, 2023-04-28 13:15 - 14:15 | 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/

Lettering workshops
2023-02-24 14:30 - 15:30, 2023-03-31 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/

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

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 10)
2023-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library

Morvoren: the poetry of sea swimming
2023-03-15 14:00 - 15:30 | 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.

No Place to Hide - an author's talk with JS Monroe
2023-04-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Join author J.S.Monroe as he talks about his new contemporary thriller, No Place To Hide, a loose retelling of Dr Faustus. Set in Cambridge in the 1990s and in London in the present day, the story charts a successful Cornish doctor’s dramatic fall from grace 24 years after he made a pact to cover up a horrific crime at university. The book concludes with a thrilling climax at the Minack theatre, live-streamed across the Dark Web…
Jon will speak about how he researched the book and came up with the idea, why he used Cornwall as a location, the process of writing, and then talk about writing in general, his own career, how publishing works, and the need for a thick skin!
J. S. Monroe read English at Cambridge, worked as a foreign correspondent in Delhi, and was Weekend editor of the Daily Telegraph in London before becoming a full- time writer. His psychological thriller Find Me became a bestseller in 2017, and, under his real name Jon Stock, he is also the author of five spy thrillers. Warner Brothers bought the film rights to the Dead Spy Running trilogy.
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 Thursday 23rd March. We request a suggested donation of £5 to help raise funds for Morrab Library. Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

Two Autumns | Film screening and Q&A with film maker Peter Chapman
2023-04-05 13:30 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
For most of his career in television, Peter Chapman made arts documentaries including ‘Two Autumns’ about the work of the land artist, Andy Goldsworthy. The film followed Andy as he made work in the Scottish Borders and a small village in Japan called Ouchiama. The contrast between the two Autumns is stark with the vivid reds of the Maple and the Cheery Blossom contrasting with the darker tones of the leafy Scottish Borders.
Peter’s talk will comprise a viewing of the film, followed by a break for teas and coffees. There will then be a Q&A about the making of the film.
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 29th March.
Entry is £5 by donation to help raise funds for Morrab Library. Refreshments will be provided after the talk.

Fully booked! Easter Storytime in the library
2023-04-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Little Lumpty is always dreaming of climbing to the top of the high wall that Humpty Dumpty fell from – and one day he does. But then he makes a big mistake…
Join our storyteller Janet Pearson for a fun morning of stories, songs, rhymes, activities and even a mini Easter Egg hunt! For 4-8 year olds.
Booking is essential (mainly so we know how much cake to make!). We ask for a suggested donation of £5. Email us at enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to reserve your place.

SOLD OUT - Make your own Botanical Sketchbook - a workshop for all ages
2023-04-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Morrab Library
Plants are amazing – aren’t they? But, when you look through a magnifying glass a whole new world opens up before your eyes. All the beautiful details of a plant can be seen through the lens.
Come along to Morrab Library on Thursday 13th April to meet Book Artist and Authorial Illustrator, Vicki Aimers, and make a simple botanical inspired sketchbook. Then, stay a while to fill it with studies of plants and wildflowers using a magnifying glass.
Also learn more about Vicki’s project and her artist’s residency in August at the Library, exploring the fascinating life and ideas of a local Quaker preacher Catherine Payton Phillips (1727-1794), and especially her love for nature.
Booking is essential, contact the library to reserve your place. There are three sessions of 45 minutes each -11.00-11.45,11.45-12.30 or 1.15-2.00.

Morrab Library Spring Fair 2023
2023-04-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Morrab Library
The annual Morrab Library Spring Fair will be taking place on Saturday 15th April 2023 from 10am until 2pm. Celebrate the arrival of Spring and support Penzance’s independent library.
There will be stalls throughout the library with lots of local makers showcasing their crafts, as well as plants, books and historic photos for sale. Our raffle will feature as its first prize an original painting of the library. The much-loved refreshments room will return with delicious homemade cakes. Some of the stalls will be cash only, so please bring some along with you to help support your library.
The Fair will take place in the Morrab Library, at the heart of Morrab Gardens in Penzance, and if the weather stays bright there will be stalls outside in the sunshine too. Members and non-members alike are all welcome, so please bring friends and family along too!

Mordardh Surf Poetry workshop
2023-04-22 10:30 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Saturday 22nd April, 10.30-12.30
This workshop is aimed at surfers and writers who want to create poetry about surfing. If you’re interested in the sea and are inspired by it, you’d be very welcome.
Encouraged by Kate Barden and Fi Read you will use the sea as your muse. Leap into an ocean of words together and ride that cresting wave of poetry.
Mordardh is Cornish for breaking wave; it’s also the name of the Arts Council funded project bringing together writers, surfers and photographers.
Surfers are welcome – come and share what draws you to the waves; talk about what surfing means to you.
This workshop is an opportunity to create or edit your own poetry, whether you are a new or more experienced writer, with a view to focusing on the performance element. Please bring paper and pen, or whatever you prefer to write with.
Cost: £5 + booking fee
Book tickets through Eventbrite by clicking on this link (not via the library) :
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mordardh-surf-poetry-tickets-595116638887
