The Morrab Library

The Joy of Drawing with local artist Claire Lucas
2024-12-12 10:45 - 12:15 (Europe/London) | Morrab Library
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

Free tour of The Morrab Library
2024-12-13 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-12-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-20 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-01-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-31 14:00 - 15:00 and 3 more dates | 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 Talks | Book Launch: Cornwall in Short
2024-12-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
Our final talk of 2024, will be the book launch of ‘Cornwall in Short’. This will take place in the Reading Room of The Morrab Library at 2pm on Saturday 14th December.
Join editors Peter McAllister and Kate Horsley, along with a number of contributing writers at this, the launch of ‘Cornwall in Short’.
Authors such as Tim Hannigan, Emma Timpany, Rob Magnuson Smith, Adrian Markle and Clare Howdle feature in this collection of Cornish writing. Hear some of them read their work at this event before taking part in a short Q&A.
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 5th December. 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.

Reflective journaling, goal setting and vision board making with Emma Farley
2024-12-20 10:30 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
Reflect on 2024 and set goals for 2025 with the support of collage and vision boards. All equipment plus refreshments provided
£10. 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

Prepping your journal for the new year with Emma Farley
2024-12-20 13:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Prepare your journal for the new year with templates and trackers to help you work towards your new goals.
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 | Revealing The Morrab Library: Poetry and Porcelain with Artists in Residence Lucy Sparrow and Rebecca Harvey
2025-01-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
THIS TALK HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 11TH DECEMBER 2024. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk if you would like to come along. There is no ballot for this talk but booking is essential.
The Morrab Library is more than books. Whilst it is an archive of treasures revealing the past, it also embraces the contemporary and speaks to the future.
Poet Lucy Sparrow and ceramicist Rebecca Harvey spent time exploring and responding to the wonders of this special place over the course of a year.
You’re warmly invited to an illustrated talk and conversation discussing their time spent as Artists in Residence, as well as a reading of Lucy’s poems.
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
2025-02-04 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-02-18 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.

Folk Tales To Web Tales
2025-02-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Morrab Library
Travel through the myth and magic of West Penwith in a writing workshop with storyteller Sue Field and writer Anna Chorlton from Cornish folktale project, Mazed.
Once tales were told by the fireside, then read from books, now we often search for stories in digital form. Mazed is expanding its website collection of folktales to cover all Kernow, and they need some West Cornish tales, told by people that live in West Cornwall.
In this FREE workshop you will write your own original version of a traditional local tale, and become immersed in the places of piskies, witches, devils, dragons, and giants. Web tales written in the class may be published on the Mazed website.
The event is part of National Storytelling Week (1st – 9th February) and is suitable for all writing abilities and folklore enthusiasts.
Bring your usual writing tools: notebook, pens, pencils, or a computer, and prepare to be a Mazed!
WHEN: Thursday 6th February 2025, 10am – 1pm
WHERE: The Morrab Library, Morrab Gardens, Penzance, TR18 4DA
HOW TO BOOK: Please email fieldsue@hotmail.co.uk to book a FREE place
MORE INFORMATION: www.mazedtales.org

Creative wellbeing for children
2025-02-08 10:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week by exploring creative wellbeing for young people. This is a great opportunity for children to connect with their feelings, boost creativity, and practice mindfulness in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Activities include decoupage with animal maches and creative journaling.
This is a drop-in event where you can stay as long as you like for just £1 per child. All children must attend with an adult.
£1/child
Drop in – no need to book
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/acornishgeekletter

Joy of Art (Spring Term) - with Claire Lucas
2025-02-13 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!

Victorian puzzle purses with Emma Farley
2025-02-14 13:30 - 15:30 | Morrab Library
Make a heartfelt gift for your valentine or palentine at this paper-based workshop. All equipment is supplied, plus templates, for you to craft something truly personalised
£10. 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.
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 | 'Three More Days' by Kate Morris
2025-02-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Morrab Library
We’re delighted to be joined by Kate Morris, the author of Three More Days, for a talk about her memoir on Saturday 15th February at 2pm.
Three More Days is a story about living and dying, loving and grieving. It is a true story. This memoir has been a long time in the writing. It tells how Kate Morris met her late husband, Todd, how they fell in love and married and how, not so very many years later, he died. She wanted him to matter, to not be forgotten, so she wrote.
It tells of living alongside grief and how that feels twenty years on. It is raw and honest and brutal and detailed and funny. It contains medical references along with first kisses on the beach, overlooked by a sheep. Todd’s recipes sit beside recollections of him juggling children. Part diary, part memoir, part recipe book, part travelogue, part photo album, 100% original.
During the afternoon, Kate will share personal stories and extracts from the book and then answer any questions that the audience may have. Copies of the book will be available to buy after the talk.
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 6th February. 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.

Super Storytime | Emma Yarlett's 'Monster Post' with Jak Stringer
2025-02-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
“Beast has found a tasty dinner, and he’s written to all his friends to invite them to a feast. Unfortunately, Dinner is a child who very much does not want to be eaten.
This hilarious book by Emma Yarlett, is about a quick-thinking child and a soft-hearted beast, with funny letters and comically disgusting recipes.
On Tuesday 18th February (10.30-12), you are invited to The Morrab Library, to experience a yucky monster party, it will be ‘slimetastic’ but very messy, so please wear old party gear to this event.
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).

Art Club | The Art and Soul sessions with Faye Dobinson
2025-02-19 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-02-26 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.

PZ Greenways Map Making Workshop with Sustainable PZ
2025-02-22 12:30 - 14:30 | Morrab Library
Make your own map of local PZ Greenways! Join us to find out more about the network of paths and green spaces that connect in, around and out of town.
Then make your own PZ Greenways map for the journeys you’d like to make from where you live, or other places in town.
All materials are provided. Just bring yourself and a refill water bottle.
You can find out more about PZ Greenways here >> Greenways – Sustainable Penzance (sustainablepz.co.uk)

Booking here.

Hand stitch – fun experimental embroidery with Vicks Harrison
2025-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Morrab Library
Hand stitch – fun experimental embroidery with Vicks Harrison at The Morrab Library.
Tuesday 25th February – Attaching mirrors and other flattish backed objects to fabric using a variety of interesting stitches. Shells. Mirrors. Wrapped buttons and more. You will be shown lots of examples and we will begin three stitched pieces. Please bring along interesting flat backed items – mirrors etc will be provided
These workshops are £15. Check times on each workshop (on the poster below).
Workshops are suitable for people who have some basic embroidery skills. For all workshops you need to bring a small hoop and a firm piece of fabric to stick in it. Dressmaking weight scissors and if you have them needles and threads.
Please email vickyvicks@btinternet.com to book a place and for further information.

Going to Ground: an evening with Philip Marsden and Tim Hannigan
2025-02-26 19:30 - 21:00 | The Acorn Theatre
at the Acorn Theatre, Wednesday 26th February 2025, 7:30 pm
Join authors and two great friends of the library, Philip Marsden and Tim Hannigan in conversation as they celebrate Philip’s new book, Under a Metal Sky. They will talk about the cultures of Cornwall and Ireland, the interplay of nature and mythology, and Tim’s current travel book project.
The Morrab Library is delighted to be hosting this event, and proceeds from ticket sales will support the ongoing care and preservation of our special place.
Library Patron Philip Marsden is an acclaimed author of history and travel literature, having written books like The Crossing Place and Rising Ground, which explore themes from global journeys to local Cornish landscapes. His new work, Under a Metal Sky delves into mining histories in Cornwall and ends in the Caucasus, examining humanity’s uneasy relationship with natural resources.
Tim Hannigan, a Cornish writer with a background in journalism, has authored books on Indonesian history and Cornish culture, including The Granite Kingdom. He divides his time between Cornwall and Ireland, where he teaches, and is currently working on a new book about a 500-mile walk across Ireland that explores historical access to the countryside.
Tickets to what will be a fascinating evening are now available exclusively through the Acorn Theatre. Use this link to buy tickets, or drop by their box office to purchase them. Tickets will be sold on a Pay What You Can basis, between £10 – £18, with student tickets just £5.
Buy tickets here.
Our friends from the Edge of the World Bookshop will be selling copies of Philip’s and Tim’s books in the Acorn bar at the event.
We hope you can join us, and enjoy what will be a wonderful evening whilst supporting our library.

Joy of Art (Spring term) - with artist Claire Lucas
2025-02-27 10:15 - 12:30 | Morrab Library
