by Admin | 8 Nov 2023 | activities, Cricklereaders Read, FRONT PAGE NEWS
A n out-of-season South Korean resort, a mysterious foreign visitor and a young woman whose dual nationality and anguished diffidence mark her out as an anomaly among her community are the main components of French-Korean author Elisa Shua Dusapin’s compact first novel. The book is set in Sokcho, a city so close to South Korea’s impenetrable northern counterpart that it is possible to take a day trip over the border.
Dusapin’s unnamed narrator has returned to her home town from university in Seoul. Working as a live-in receptionist and cook at a dead-end guesthouse run by the grumpy Old Park, she has resisted opportunities for further study abroad as obstinately as she holds out against an anticipated engagement to her vacuous model boyfriend. Winter has encased Sokcho like a snow globe: in this precarious frozen landscape, figures move as languorously as the crabs and octopuses occupying the glass tanks of its vast fish markets. [The Guardian]
This month’s choice sounds amazing! Read along at home, or better still, join the group on Sunday 19 November, 1030 at the library.
by Admin | 6 Nov 2023 | events, FRONT PAGE NEWS
We are delighted to be joined for a return visit by the charming and talented Lacuna Trio. Lacuna are made up of Jo Taylor (vocals, clarinet), Sarah Jane Rimmer (vocals, banjo) and Malcolm Thacker (vocals, guitar). Formed in the strange hiatus caused by the pandemic, Lacuna trio provide catchy, folky tunes, thoughtful lyrics and pure, clear vocals.
This concert sold out last time, so don’t delay – get yours today!
Doors open 1900, music starts 1930. There will be a short interval at 8pm. Music finishes 9pm.
Don’t forget to order your pizza!
by Admin | 14 Oct 2023 | activities, FRONT PAGE NEWS
Did you know that only 6% of exercise research is done on women?
It is little wonder that much of what we are told about training doesn’t serve us well as women, and particularly as we enter perimenopause and menopause, and our hormones go into flux.
In this talk, Denise Yeats, personal trainer, multi sports coach and leading expert in menopause and fitness, will empower you to:
- Embrace Change: understand the body’s transitions and adapt training effectively
- Supercharge Performance: learn how hormonal shifts can be an assed, not an obstacle
- Boost Confidence: Gain tools to navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
This talk is FREE. To reserve your place (spaces are limited) head over to the event page.
by Admin | 12 Oct 2023 | events, FRONT PAGE NEWS
Something a little different this month – a concert of 16th century masterpieces for viol and lute, delivered by locals Alison Crum and husband Roy Marks.
Alison Crum is one of the best-known British exponents of the viol. As teacher, performer, and moving spirit behind several well-known early music groups, she has travelled all over the world giving recitals and lectures and teaching on summer schools and workshops.
After considering a career in meteorology, she decided to read music at Reading university as a French horn player. While there she started playing the viol, and later went on to study it with Wieland Kuijken in Brussels and Jordi Savall in Basle. Since then she has made over one hundred recordings with some of Britain’s finest ensembles and, as a soloist, on discs of Marais, Bach, and virtuoso Italian divisions.
Alison is President of the Viola da Gamba Society of Great Britain, and until 2020 she was Professor of Viol at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, but she is still a visiting teacher at several colleges and universities in both Europe and the USA. She is also the author of two highly acclaimed books on playing the viol, and has been called the doyenne of British viol teachers.
Roy Marks is Alison’s husband. In early childhood he began his musical life playing the piano, and in his teens playing lead guitar in a rhythm and blues band. Rather than to conservatoires of music, however, he went to colleges of art to study – studies that culminated at the Royal Academy in London where he was awarded the prestigious David Murray scholarship for landscape painting.
Roy went on to teach painting and drawing in adult education, but turned his attention in his late thirties almost exclusively to early music – to the recorder, the viol, and the lute. Roy also edits, arranges, and composes music for his friends to play.
Together, Alison and Roy are very much occupied with playing music from the 16th to the 18th century and they have collected a large number of copies of early instruments – all of which they play. As members of The Rose Consort of Viols they have recorded many CDs of English consort music, and as teachers they are popular on courses and workshops in the USA and in Europe.
Get tickets.
by Admin | 27 Sep 2023 | activities, advice, FRONT PAGE NEWS, tips and advice
Barclays Bank have had a (non-cash) branch at the library for over a year now, and are keen to bring more services to the community over the coming months. They will be running an advice surgery for anyone who’s interested in how to identify and avoid financial and banking scams of all kinds.
The Metropolitan Police will be on hand between 1000 and 1200 on Wednesday 19 October, to answer all your questions and offer advice.
by Admin | 11 Sep 2023 | activities, events, FRONT PAGE NEWS
We’re delighted to welcome back old favourites the Brent Jazz Orchestra Quartet to kick off our exciting autumn of music at the library. The line up will be joined on this occasion by a trumpet and tenor sax, making the full line up
Vito La Sala on trumpet
Stuart Ashton on tenor sax
Shura Greenberg on bass
George Harvey on drums
Pierre Guillot on guitar
And yes, there will be pizza! Don’t miss out! Book now!
See you there.
