Category: Events

Geology Talk

Photo of the Long Mynd from Caer Caradoc

An illustrated talk by local resident Peter Toghill

March 19th 2.30pm in the library. Admission £5.00

Following his previous popular talks, we are delighted that Dr Peter Toghill has agreed to return with a third talk. This time he will be focusing on the rocks we find in the area and what they have been used for.

Church Stretton lies in one of the most varied geological areas in the UK, with rocks representing 11 of the 12 recognised periods of geological times. The great variety of rocks found around Church Stretton has been used for so many economic purposes, including building stone, road stone, roofing tiles, metal ores, sand and gravel, fertilisers and so much more.

You can expect to see some fantastic photos of the area which will illustrate this talk. 

Come and find out more about this fascinating topic.

All proceeds to go to the library

Medical Royal Colleges  

Gentlemen’s Clubs or Medical Movers and Shakers?

An illustrated talk by Andrew Hall

What role do they play in the health care we receive? 

What might their role be in the future?

 For most people, the medical royal colleges come into their consciousness only when some medical stories are in the news. However, the colleges feature heavily in the lives of doctors training to take up specialist medical practice. The colleges have been around in some form and in some cases, for over 500 years. The model has lasted – even if it has changed hugely – new colleges are still being established in the twenty-first century.  

So, what do they do? What have they contributed to British and international medical advancement over the years?  What might their role be in the future? 

With such a long history it is unsurprising that the colleges are far from being a uniform set of bodies.  There are similarities, but each is a separate and independent organisation with a different provenance and different characteristics.

Andrew held senior roles in two medical colleges for over 20 years. Do join us for this talk which will lift the lid on the medical royal colleges – unique but, perhaps, obscure institutions. And, may be, answer for yourself if they are “gentleman’s clubs or medical movers and shakers”. 

  • Date:  Wednesday 29 January 2025
  • Time:   2.30pm
  • Venue: Church Stretton Library
  • Cost:  £5 per head
  • All proceeds will go to the library

Author Talk

Thursday 7th November 2024 , 7pm in the library

You will hear from Meredith about his latest novel. “Gorgeous and Adorable”, a 1970s-set roller-coaster ride of a thriller about a young couple in way over their heads. The novel features some of the most loveable (and most despicable) characters imaginable – but who will come out on top?

Local author Meredith Vivian will talk about his experience as a novelist, plus read extracts from his latest book  to whet our appetites .

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.”

MEREDITH VIVIAN, OBE, grew up in London and worked for the Department of Health for many years before leaving to become a clinical hypnotherapist and author and settle in Church Stretton. He has taken on many voluntary roles and is the current Chair of Mayfair. He is also a non-executive director of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin NHS Integrated Care Board.

Please come along to support this event to help raise funds for the library.

The talk will be followed by drinks and nibbles.

All welcome!

Tickets £7.50 on the door.

THE JOHN TRADESCANTS:Nurserymen, plants hunters and gardeners to a king

Wednesday 16th 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

Quiz Evening Saturday 21st September

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

Author Talk

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.

Scottish Islands

An Illustrated Talk by Janet Longstaff

Shiants: A picture of cliffs from the sea

The Library, Wed 21st 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.

The Lower Deckers

Come and listen to an evening of Sea Shanties

Friday 10th 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

Plus games to raise
money for the RNLI

Narnia event

“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