Category: Events

Wednesday 16^th October 2.30pm in the library

This illustrated talk by Heather Williams combines her keen interest in both horticulture and history.

The Tradescants worked for some of the most powerful men in England and they were all men. John Tradescant the elder was born in 1570 and his son died in 1662 so they covered between them a very exciting period of British history. Both travelled widely, as far east as Russia and as far west as Virginia collecting rare bulbs and seeds of plants.  Among the seeds brought back to introduce to English gardens were great American trees including magnolias, bald cypress and tulip tree, and garden plants such as phlox and asters.

Their adventures included possible spying, encounters with wars and pirates and using their collection of ‘curiosities’ running the first museum open to all for payment of a small fee.

Before moving to Church Stretton Heather was Chair of the South West Shropshire Historical Society, and more recently she was Chair of the Shropshire branch of the Hardy Plant Society.

Admission £5.00 payable on the day

Saturday 21 September 2024,Time:   7.30pm

Venue: Parish Centre, Church Stretton

Experienced quiz master Ben Warren will entertain you with his usual range of fun and thought filled questions

• Entry fee: £5 per person
• Maximum team size: 6 members
• Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks
• For table reservations, please text Ben at 0777 943 7871

Or Just come along on the night ….you’re very welcome

Thursday 5 September 2024 , 7pm in the library

 Local author Meredith Vivian will talk about his experience as a novelist, plus read extracts from his latest book  to whet our appetites – a thrilling roller coaster of a novel!

Author Meredith Vivian is blind. According to him:

“The 1970s were my formative time, when I was a teenager – when life seemed full of promise and possibility. However, it was also the time when I began to lose my sight. Thus, “Gorgeous and Adorable” is a book full of hopes and fears, highs and lows, rather like my own life back then.”

This will be followed by drinks and nibbles.

All welcome!

Tickets £7.50 on the door.

To reserve a place email churchstrettonlibrary@outlook.com or call 01694 723627.

An Illustrated Talk by Janet Longstaff

The Library, Wed 21^st August at 2.30pm

There are 165 Scottish Islands and Janet has visited approximately one fifth of them- some several times, and nearly always by sailing boat (yacht). Janet’s talk will feature more than a dozen.

Each island has its own history, literature, wild-life and famous people including, of course, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald. Religion practised on each island was closely linked to its location. Some are remote whilst others are easily accessible and less than half of the islands are now inhabited.

The talk will be illustrated and there will be the opportunity to obtain books about the islands (with a donation to Friends of Church Stretton Library).

Admission £5.00 payable on the door.

Come and listen to an evening of Sea Shanties

Friday 10^th May 2024, 7.30pm, Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton

The Lower Deckers Shanty Group are a fun, contemporary shanty group from Shropshire and Herefordshire. Their repertoire embraces traditional shanties, songs of the sea and sailing, folk songs and more! These talented singers regularly perform around the country at festivals, pubs and cafes, sharing their love for maritime music.

If you’re in the mood for some toe-tapping sea shanties, come along and they are sure to lift your spirits! ????

Bar available

Admission £10.00, Tickets (cash only) from Vines, the library and on the door

“Through the wardrobe: C. S. Lewis and the hidden secrets of the Narnia stories”

An illustrated talk by Ben Warren.

Tuesday 26 March 2024, 2.30pm in the United Reform Church Hall (URC)

The Narnia stories written by C. S. Lewis have been a publishing sensation – over 120 million copies have been sold since they were first published in the 1950s. In this talk Ben will explore the factors that led to their creation: the people Lewis met, the landscapes he loved, his vast knowledge of literature (including medieval literature) and, pervading all the stories, Lewis’s Christian beliefs.

In addition, Ben will explore the evidence for an intriguing new theory that there is a secret Narnia code – that each one of the seven Narnia books is based on the characteristics of one of the seven medieval planets.The talk will be illustrated throughout – including some of the beautiful original Narnia illustrations by the artist Pauline Baynes. This promises to be a fascinating and entertaining exploration of the background to Lewis’s enchanting imaginary world. All welcome.

In March, Church Stretton Library are aiming to have a Narnia themed display and Burway Books will be selling books by C S Lewis at this event.

Admission: £5 pay on the door

Russian Literature

Speaker: Janet Longstaff

Wednesday 28^th February, 2.30pm

Following her successful talk on Turkish Literature, Janet Longstaff is introducing us to Russian Literature. She doesn’t intend to get political, but will be historical and link books with places she has visited in Russia. Janet has a collection of over 70 books both by Russians and about Russia, some of which will be available to buy at her talk to raise extra funds for the library.

Admission £5.00, pay on the door