The Morrab Library

Library Talks | GAIA IN EXTREMIS book launch with Timothy Neat
2025-06-17 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Morrab Library
On Saturday 19th July (from 2pm-3pm) we will welcome Cornish/Scots filmmaker Timothy Neat – to present his twelfth major publication – GAIA IN EXTREMIS.
This highly original exploration of the contemporary world crisis (ecological and political) is a large-format hard back designed by Nick Harpley of Penzance and published in St Ives. It presents four hundred paintings and poems by Neat – plus essays by professor Denis Brotto, George Gunn and the great John Berger.
Join us for an afternoon of readings, pictorial pleasure and Q&As. Books available for £25 (retail £40).
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 9th July.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).

Plot & Structure | Creative Writing Workshop
2025-06-14 10:00 - 12:15 | Morrab Library
Keep readers glued to your pages and avoid the dreaded ‘story-wandering’ by mastering the essential elements of plot and structure. In this workshop you’ll learn how to write compelling prose and poetry that keeps readers on an exciting journey of discovery by exploring:
What plot and structure are
Brainstorming of new ideas
Shape/structure of a story
Storyboarding and storytelling
How to plot using story arcs and diagrams.
You’ll write lots on this workshop and read anything aloud that you’d like to (no pressure if you’d rather not). Should you wish, you’ll receive positive, constructive feedback on your writing and will leave with a better understanding of how important it is to plot and structure either a novel, short story or poem so that readers keep reading.
Click here to book a place at this workshop.
Click here to read more about the full writing course and future workshops. Click here to read more about Peter McAllister, The Morrab Library Writer in Residence.

About Your Tutor: Peter McAllister
Peter is a writer, educator and publisher of prose fiction. He studied English Literature at The University of Cambridge, was awarded a Distinction for his MA in Creative Writing and now lectures at the University of Hull. He is the editor and co-founder of Inkfish Magazine and a committee member for the Penzance Literary Festival.
Peter’s writing builds layers of narrative through linked pieces that result in profound moments of self-realisation or dramatic action. He has been shortlisted and highly commended in several International Literary Prizes for his short-form fiction and poetry. His work been published online, in print journals and numerous anthologies.

Free Tour of The Morrab Library
2025-06-13 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-30 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-09 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-25 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.

Embroider a bee and learn about our wild bees
2025-06-10 10:00 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Vicks Harrison started the Embroidered Bees Project in 2019 to raise awareness of the loss of biodiversity. The project will create a huge art quilt to help people develop their embroidery skills and learn more about the nearly 300 kinds of bees we have in this country and. It is a long term project and it is hoped that the final artwork will be exhibited to raise donations for wildlife projects. This workshop will be an opportunity to produce embroidered bees to be added to the project. Complete beginners are very welcome. More detail about the project is contained in two videos 1) is a lovely introduction https://vimeo.com/724988781/f27d4ca421 2) is a how to video https://vimeo.com/766141264/365f9de6db Please bring a small hoop and a needle, and any embroidery threads and/or cream or white fabric that you have. Old linen napkins and tablecloths are great. This is an unfunded project but Vicks does have a few materials. If you have any embroidery thread, a needle and scissors that would be very helpful – otherwise just book and turn up Please pay what you can – we suggest £3 to £5. Places are limited and booking is essential so please email Vickyvicks@btinternet.com or text 07834287562 to book a place.
Embroider a bee and learn about our wild bees

Joy of Art (Summer Term) - with Artist Claire Lucas
2025-06-05 10:15 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Fortnightly art class for all levels of ability. Claire will provide inspiration and guidance for participants to explore subject matter and media best suited to their skills and character; helping them to discover (or deepen) their relationship with the artist within!
£125 for 6 sessions or £25/class if dropping in occasionally (priority is given to those who commit to coming for 6 classes)
Call Claire on 07532174802 or email clairelucasartist@yahoo.com
Claire is a practicing artist (Falmouth School of Art graduate), with over 30 years experience of teaching art in community venues and further education colleges. She specialises in providing an encouraging and safe space in which even the most fearful or lacking in confidence student can discover their joy for art, and create artworks that they are proud of!

Crafting Compelling Characters | Creative Writing Workshop
2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:15 | Morrab Library
Make your characters leap off the page and resonate with readers. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or complete beginner, this fun, productive workshop for adults will help you create believable protagonists, antagonists and all other characters that make up your stories.
We will explore how to:
Know what characters you need in your story
Create 3D characters
Draw readers deeper into your protagonist’s psyche
Make readers relate to and care about your characters
Strengthen reader interest in your story.
You’ll write lots on this workshop and read anything aloud that you’d like to (no pressure if you’d rather not). Should you wish, you’ll receive positive, constructive feedback on your writing and will leave with either a number of new characters in development or a clearer understanding of characters you have already been working on.
Click here to book a place at this workshop.
Click here to read more about the full writing course and future workshops. Click here to read more about Peter McAllister, The Morrab Library Writer in Residence.

About Your Tutor: Peter McAllister
Peter is a writer, educator and publisher of prose fiction. He studied English Literature at The University of Cambridge, was awarded a Distinction for his MA in Creative Writing and now lectures at the University of Hull. He is the editor and co-founder of Inkfish Magazine and a committee member for the Penzance Literary Festival.
Peter’s writing builds layers of narrative through linked pieces that result in profound moments of self-realisation or dramatic action. He has been shortlisted and highly commended in several International Literary Prizes for his short-form fiction and poetry. His work been published online, in print journals and numerous anthologies.

Super Storytime | This is the story of Alison Hubble by Alan Ahlberg, with Jan Pearson
2025-05-29 10:30 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
Join Jan and Lisa at The Morrab Library to hear the story of Alison Hubble “who went to bed single and woke up double”. This will take place in the Reading Room on Thursday 29th May from 10.30am – 12pm. The story will be 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 join us so we can make sure we have enough cake!
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)

Relaxed Book Group at The Morrab Library
2025-05-27 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)

Joy of Art (Summer Term) - with Artist Claire Lucas
2025-05-22 10:15 - 12:30, 2025-05-08 10:15 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Fortnightly art class for all levels of ability. Claire will provide inspiration and guidance for participants to explore subject matter and media best suited to their skills and character; helping them to discover (or deepen) their relationship with the artist within!
£125 for 6 sessions or £25/class if dropping in occasionally (priority is given to those who commit to coming for 6 classes)
Call Claire on 07532174802 or email clairelucasartist@yahoo.com
Claire is a practicing artist (Falmouth School of Art graduate), with over 30 years experience of teaching art in community venues and further education colleges. She specializes in providing an encouraging and safe space in which even the most fearful or lacking in confidence student can discover their joy for art, and create artworks that they are proud of!

Writing With Renoir | with The Morrab Library Writer in Residence, Peter McAllister
2025-05-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
A fun and practical creative writing workshop. Using the artwork of Pierre-Auguste Renoir as a starting point, we’ll examine and discuss, then use this nineteenth century painter’s work to tell our own stories.
Using some of Renoir’s most recognisable paintings as prompts, we’ll approach our own writing from the perspective of his characters. We’ll write short stories and discuss their relevance today before re-drafting, following input from other workshop attendees.
Before making the decision to focus on writing full time, Peter worked for more than a decade as an international art dealer. At his own galleries in London, he regularly curated and managed commercial exhibitions for organisations such as The Royal Society of British Artists and The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, as well as for individual practitioners. After managing a year-long Impressionism exhibition at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool, Peter partnered with The National Gallery on various fundraising projects before relocating to Cornwall in 2021. The work of the impressionists is something he regularly draws on to prompt his own creative practice.
Tickets: £25 available from Peter McAllisters website here.
Peter McAllister is The Morrab Library’s Writer in Residence this year. You can read more about his residency and other creative writing workshops here.

Library Talks | 'Life Itself': Photography and South Africa with Simon Clarke
2025-05-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Simon Clarke’s new book ‘Life Itself: Photography and South Africa’ charts the photographic history of the country from colonialism to democracy, from the early European photographers to work today by young South Africans. ‘Life Itself’ explores how people, events and places have been depicted in photographic images over the decades.
Featuring images from the heyday of Drum magazine and Black emergence to Peter Magubane’s Soweto uprising pictures, David Goldblatt’s In Boksburg to the photographers’ collective Afrapix and the struggles for freedom, the book concludes with post-apartheid documentary and art photography in the work of Andrew Tshabangu, Lindokuhle Sobekwa and others.
Simon is a photographer, writer and anthropologist. He grew up in St Ives and is now based a few miles away in Nancledra. He has lived in Africa, lecturing in fine art at Kenyatta University, Nairobi. His recent research in Africa has involved fieldwork in South Africa for ‘Life Itself’.
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 7th May.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).

Library Talks | 'Walking and Memory Mapping' with Marlene Creates
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Marlene Creates is a Canadian environmental artist living and working on the island of Newfoundland. Her work has been presented in over 350 exhibitions and screenings across Canada and internationally. We’re delighted to be welcoming her to The Morrab Library to give a talk about her work.
In this talk, Marlene Creates will show works done in collaboration with Indigenous Inuit and Innu elders in northern Labrador, and her own elderly relatives on the island of Newfoundland.
Her most recent work centres on the perceptions of around 200 school children, who came for multidisciplinary guided walks in the 6-acre patch of old-growth boreal forest on the island of Newfoundland/ Ktaqmkuk, which has been the focus of Marlene’s work for the past 23 years.
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 5th May.
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.

Embroider a bee and learn about our wild bees
2025-05-13 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-04-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Vicks Harrison started the Embroidered Bees Project in 2019 to raise awareness of the loss of biodiversity. The project will create a huge art quilt to help people develop their embroidery skills and learn more about the nearly 300 kinds of bees we have in this country and. It is a long term project and it is hoped that the final artwork will be exhibited to raise donations for wildlife projects. This workshop will be an opportunity to produce embroidered bees to be added to the project. Complete beginners are very welcome. More detail about the project is contained in two videos 1) is a lovely introduction https://vimeo.com/724988781/f27d4ca421 2) is a how to video https://vimeo.com/766141264/365f9de6db Please bring a small hoop and a needle, and any embroidery threads and/or cream or white fabric that you have. Old linen napkins and tablecloths are great. This is an unfunded project but Vicks does have a few materials. If you have any embroidery thread, a needle and scissors that would be very helpful – otherwise just book and turn up Please pay what you can – we suggest £3 to £5. Places are limited and booking is essential so please email Vickyvicks@btinternet.com or text 07834287562 to book a place.

Poetry Open Mic Afternoon Tea
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
The Reading Room at The Morrab Library will be the stage for a relaxed afternoon of poetry reading.
This is an opportunity for poets to perform their own poetry aloud to a friendly audience. All are welcome to read and share, from published poets to fledgling writers!
Attendees at workshops run by our Poet in Residence, Jodie Hollander, during her Residency, will be invited back to read their work at this Open Mic Afternoon Tea and Jodie will also be reading some of the poetry she created during her month at the Library
Homemade cake and refreshments will be provided for all. Please email harriet@morrablibrary.org.uk to put your name on the list to perform. If you would like be in the audience (but not perform) then we will allocate tickets on a first come, first served basis.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).

Parent Workshop - 3 Simple Steps to Build Confident Readers with Zoe Moore
2025-05-02 10:00 - 11:30

Poetry of Grief and Healing with Jodie Hollander
2025-04-30 13:00 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
For centuries, creating art, and writing poetry in particular, has served as a form of healing for hurt, pain and grief. In this workshop, we’ll discuss examples of celebrated poems that tackle these difficult topics and study effective techniques for channeling our pain into poetry. Then, through a series of writing prompts, we’ll delve into our own experiences and turn them into powerful, effective poems. This workshop is for anyone who is interested in the incredible transformative power of poetry to heal our wounds. No experience necessary.

Art Club | The Art and Soul Sessions with Faye Dobinson
2025-04-30 10:30 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Join artist Faye Dobinson for these weekly sessions centring creative play, experimentation and discovery. Fuelled by humour, enthusiasm, curiosity and love, and taking place in the magical Morrab Library,
Sessions last 2 hours from 10.30am-12.30pm, cost £15 with ALL materials included and all levels are welcome.
Booking link here.

Relaxed Book Group at The Morrab Libary
2025-04-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library

Creative Journaling with Emma Farley
2025-04-25 13:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Join us for a creative journaling session focused on enhancing your wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, boost creativity, or increase self-awareness, journaling offers powerful benefits. In a safe, supportive space, connect with like-minded individuals and explore mindfulness, self reflection, and planning through guided prompts and templates. This session is open to all abilities, offering a chance for self expression and personal growth at your own pace.
Bring your own notebook. All other equipment is provided, including pens, washi tape, stencils, stickers, glue, scissors, and more. Tickets are £10/person. Booking is essential. 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

Joy of Art (Spring Term) - with Claire Lucas
2025-04-24 10:15 - 12:30 | Morrab Library

SOLD OUT - Ekphrastic Poetry with Jodie Hollander
2025-04-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
SOLD OUT please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.
Experience art at a new level and use it to inspire your writing. Poet Jodie Hollander teaches this workshop, in which participants respond poetically to art around the Morrab Library. Students will study examples of celebrated poems that respond to or were inspired by art. Then students will be led through a variety of writing activities inspired by art, ultimately leading to a draft of an original poem. Students will discuss poetic techniques such as the use of vivid imagery, the importance of sonics, how to shape a poetic line as well as techniques for drafting and revision. Open to all levels.
