Friends of Wallasey Central Library Bookstall

The Friends of Wallasey Central Library are now running a bookstall at the library. At present, we are running the stall whenever possible. However, our aim is to run it on a regular day. All the monies raised will be put back into the library.

We are also using the stall to try to recruit new friends of the library.

If you would like to help out or donate books then please contact the friends:

friendsofwallaseycentral@gmail.com

Review of John Hegley @ Wallasey Central Library 30th September 2011

Here is a review of John Hegley's enjoyable performance at the library by Clare Kirwan, Wallasey Central Library:

Comic poet John Hegley made his second visit to Wallasey Central Library this year to start the Centenary weekend's festivities.

After his sell-out workshop in March, he again attracted more than 60 people to his one-man show on Friday 30th September. With a bewildering range of the comic and profound, some escapades involving balloons and the audience being required to impersonate birds on at least two occasions, it was certainly a varied night.

Most famous for his poems about dogs, glasses and brown paper bags - many of which are silly and serious at the same time - he is also a surprisingly good singer, accompanying himself on mandolin. He tried out some brand new material, never before performed, including a marvellous dream-like poem where boats on bedroom wallpaper rowed him into a surreal scenario.

Wallasey Central Library has the most extensive poetry section in Wirral with more than 1,500 poetry books spanning all eras. John was very impressed with our collection and selected some of his favourite poems to read out, bringing unexpected works by Adrian Henri, DH Lawrence, and others to new audiences.

Birkenhead Priory; Talk by Colin Simpson 21st October 2011

Birkenhead Priory: Talk by Colin Simpson
3.00 - 4.00pm
21st October 2011
Wallasey Central Library
Earlston Road
CH45 5DX

Talk on Birkenhead's oldest standing building by Colin Simpson, Williamson Art Gallery.

Birkenhead Priory is in Priory Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It is the oldest standing building on Merseyside. The remains of the priory are a Grade I listed building[2] and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It was founded about 1150 by Hamon de Masci, 3rd Baron of Dunham Massey for the Benedictine Order.

The Priory was visited twice by Edward I due to its strategic importance being close to the borders of Wales, and also the Irish Sea.

In 1318 the monks from Birkenhead Priory were granted ferry rights by Edward II. This allowed them to build a house in what is now Water Street to store their corn. The house was also used by travellers for shelter if the weather was too bad for the ferry to cross the River Mersey.
The priory's chapter house is consecrated as an Anglican church, and is still used for services. There is a chapel dedicated to the training ship HMS Conway. There is also a museum detailing the history of the site. The chapter house is a Grade II listed building and contains items of Norman architecture. In 2005 the chapter house was restored.

St Mary's Tower was originally part of Birkenhead's first parish church, opened in 1821 in the grounds of the priory. It is a Grade II listed building. Wikipedia

Aileen La Tourette 1st November 2011

Aileen La Tourette
Free
6.30pm
1st November 2011
Wallasey Central Library
Earlston Road
CH45 5DX

Join author Aileen La Tourette in the launch of her new novel The Saint Machine.

AILEEN LA TOURETTE was born in the USA but moved to England over 35 years ago where she currently lectures in Imaginative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University. She has written two books of poetry, Touching Base (2006, Headland Publications) and Downward Mobility (2004); two books of short stories, Oral History (2007) and, with Sara Maitland, Weddings and Funerals (1983); and two previous novels, Nuns and Mothers (1984) and Cry Wolf (1986). She has also written plays for BBC Radio 4 including, My Darling, My Darling, My Life and My Bride, a play about the death of Edgar Allen Poe. Ilura Press

Spooky Tales Around The Foyer 31st October 2011

Spooky Tales Around The Foyer
31st October 2011
6.00pm
Wallasey Central Library
Earlston Road
New Brighton
CH45 5DX

Bring your own story/poem or listen to local writers from "Tales Around the Fire" and "Tugboat Cath".

Wallasey Central Library Centenary Celebrations 30/9/11 and 1/10/11

THE centenary of Wallasey's Central Library will be celebrated next week with a series of special events to mark the milestone.

The library first opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1911 - one of many around the world helped by American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who provided funding for it to be built.

A specially-commissioned painting of the library and a plaque to commemorate the anniversary is to be unveiled by Mayor of Wirral Cllr Moira McLaughlin.

Councillor Chris Meaden, Wirral cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "The role Wallasey Central Library plays within the local community is as important now as it was 100 years ago.

"I hope many users of the library, past and present, can join us for the celebrations.

"It promises to be a very special weekend, with events suited to every age group to show just what Wirral’s libraries are all about."

Celebrations will start with a return visit to the library by comic poet John Hegley for a performance this Friday.

On Saturday, there will be a range of activities and events for library-users of all ages starting at 10am. Between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, there will be live music, exhibitions and Edwardian cream teas will be served to visitors.

Winners of the library’s "100 Words" writing competition - which invited people to explain what their local library means to them, will be announced and Mayor McLaughlin will then unveil the painting and plaque.

The original library had been in Earlston House from 1900, next to where the main library building now stands. The then-head librarian, a Mr E A Savage, fought for funding to construct a new, purpose-built library.

Despite having been turned down several times, he eventually secured a donation of £9,000 from Carnegie in 1908 and building work got underway.

Scottish-born Carnegie, who had already funded more than 2,000 public buildings at the time, believed in "helping those who help themselves" and libraries fitted in with those beliefs.

The library was refurbished earlier this year with new windows, revamped exhibition spaces and modernised central heating system.

Tickets for John Hegley’s performance cost £7 and are available from Wallasey, Birkenhead, Bebington and West Kirby central libraries, or can be reserved by telephoning 0151 639 2334.
Wirral Globe