Round Up

Hello Folks.
We've had all manner of internet-related connection problems, which is why it's been so quiet on the Western front, but we are, *touch wood* back up and running so thought a little update on Morrab news was in order. In case you didn't see Annabelle's article in the Cornishman last week, here's a taste of what's been going on in the last month or so...


Building work on the library's new extension is due to begin mid April, after many years of waiting, hoping and fitting the never-ending intake of books into increasingly obscure places.  When the building work starts, things will be difficult for us and will inevitably cause disruption for our neighbours in and around the gardens, but it will be a short-term inconvenience for a long-term gain. we can only apologise in advance and do our level best to avoid awkward situations. Mr Myner has made a dream come true, ensuring that the library remains in Penzance and can continue to provide a service both locally and internationally.

Talking of international, look out for the American version of 'Who do you think you are?' on television soon - featuring Emmy award winning actress Edie Falco ('Carmella' from The Sopranos). She and the whole WDYTYA team came over from Los Angeles. They took over the Jenner room for the day, and Edie was filmed consulting our newspaper archive. Every time the camera started to roll, everyone using the library had to keep absolutely silent. This was surprisingly difficult and made us realise how much talk and laughter there normally is!


Our president, A N Wilson, gave Penzance and the Morrab Library a warm and special mention in a recent edition of The Spectator - he'd watched the st. Piran's Day parade before coming to our AGM for the meeting + pasties and cream teas. At the AGM, we enlisted three new committee members and a brand new Chairman - Bob Harrison. We'll hopefully do a little introductory piece on the blog soon, so you can get to know your new Chairman, but in the meantime, he's been in the library lots, getting stuck in and seems to be enjoying his new role.

 

Library Feature on Penzance Post

Penzance Post visited the library last Friday, taking Dawn's 2 o clock tour, tea and photographs. The feature is brilliant - eloquently capturing the spirit of the library, and accompanied by some wonderful photographs that really show us off. Thank you Penzance Post! You can read the article here: Penzance Post - Hidden House of Knowledge

Slide Collection

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Days Gone By: Pioneer

After a rather more extended hiatus than we'd anticipated, our slide collection posts are now back on track. We're kicking things off for 2012 with this beautiful, photograph from the 1920s. It shows passengers boarding the fishing vessel 'Pioneer', for one of the regular sea excursions around to Lamorna Cove. It looks charming and dignified, and is making us long for summer days on calm waters.

The Poineer was built by the Paynters of St.Ives in 1899, and was one of the first such vessels to be fitted with a steam engine. It was owned by the Hendy family, originally worked out of St.Ives, and after some war service, fished out of Newlyn until 1966. At some stage her steam engine was replaced with a Kelvin Internal Combustion Engine. She was restored, and then relaunched in 1999.

We believe this information is correct, but as always, would appreciate your input - any corrections, more info or comments are most welcome and encouraged. Thank you. 

We asked members with bulging bookshelves of their own if they'd like to bring surplus volumes to the library and sell them on their own little stalls. We were deluged! So, on the 18th there will be stalls in every room of the library - and a wide-ranging array of stock is promised - children's books to local history to contemporary fiction and all things in between. Come along to expand your collection, and support the library at the same time (10% of all proceeds go to the library).

Wrong Dates!

This post is both an apology and a warning... Somehow, despite being passed by three pairs of (not so) beady eyes, we managed to get our 2012 dates a bit muddled on the calendar of events. So if you received a newsletter from us, we're very sorry, but the dates are incorrect. In early 2012, the correct dates for lectures and A.G.M are:

Winter Lecture Series / Bob Harrison 'Carry On Up The Volga' / Wednesday 8th February at 2:15pm

A.G.M / Monday 5th March 2012 at 2pm

Winter Lecture Series / Cecil Jenkin 'A Newlyn Childhood' / Wednesday 14th March at 2:15pm

There will be a 2012 newsletter winging its way to you later this month with further (hopefully correct this time) event dates for the rest of the year. Sorry.

Winter Lecture Series

This month's 'lecture' was actually a film - made by John Potter and introduced by the man himself. A box office smash: no spare seats, everyone enjoyed the film about Nanquidno (where John and his wife actually live now) - in particular hearing from 'Egbert' about his family and life as it was in times gone by, and to see footage of the Choughs, now back in the valley.

Next month's lecture is on Wednesday 8th February, (2:15pm) and is brought to you by Bob Harrison, title: Carry On Up The Volga.

Please also note, the lectures aren't exclusively for members - all are welcome so do come along for a little mental stimulation / diversion (followed by some reviving tea and Saffron cake!).

New Year - New Course

Robin Lenman (editor of The Oxford Companion to the Photograph) is hosting a new lecture series at the library. Commencing on February 2nd, and at the very reasonable cost of £24 for the six sessions,  each session has a theme and will be followed by discussion - 

#1 'All things under the sun': The rise of photography. 

#2 The Global Medium  

#3 Humanist Documentary Since The 1930s  

#4 'You press the button...': The Snapshot  

#5 Photography and the Environment  

#6 Staging, Faking and Manipulation from Daguerreotype to Digital.

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment - And you needn't be a member of the library to attend the Lecture series, all are welcome. For further information and to book a place, please telephone 01736 330 869, or ask in the library.

Splendid day - thank you everyone* for your support. 

We hope you all have a Jolly Christmas and happy new year!

(*And special thanks to George for the photographs)

Come one, come all!

Lots of superb stalls selling all sorts of handmade fare.  Liz's food stall is always a sell out within the first half-hour so well worth coming early for the delicious treats on offer there.  Everyone's welcome so come along, enjoy a glass of mulled wine and mince pie while you do a spot of Christmas Shopping.  We look forward to seeing you!

Friday's Mexican 'Dia de los Muertos' Feast at the library was amazing - we raised just over £500 for the library!  The fancy dress costumes were brilliant (Martin's 'Chinese' attire was slightly off brief but he more than made up for it with the Tequila -not a drop left by the end of the evening).  David made a toxic punch which was drank in its entirety.  Liz's menu was inspired and delicious, and quite unbelievably carried off considering there's no oven at the library and she had to cook the lot in advance before transporting it over from her house.  Everyone seemed to have a grand time so thank you to all who came along and those who helped out decorating beforehand and clearing up afterwards. (Masses of washing up!)

There's more photos of guests in costume over on the library facebook page, but here's the decorated room...