New patron and open day for Great Cornard Library

Well-known local author and historian Charlie Haylock, who is currently having great success with  his new book, “Don’t Hurry Me . . . I’m Suffolk”, is the new patron of Great Cornard Library. Charlie is a keen supporter of his local library and is keen to use his influence to get more people using it: “There are a lot of people who don’t realise there is a public library in Great Cornard because they think it’s part of the upper school. Like all Suffolk Libraries it’s open to everyone and everybody, and offers the full range of services – books of course, plus free internet access andDVDs and CDs which you can hire very cheaply.

Culturally, we cannot afford to lose our libraries. They are essential for young and old alike, to expand their knowledge and their horizons. I want local people to have some ‘get up and go’ and explore what it has to offer – get up and go to your local library!” The library is also holding an event on Thursday 21 November which is an opportunity for people to find out more about joining a Friends of Great Cornard Library group and for people who’ve not visited the library to have a look round. There will be two sessions – from 2.30pm to 3.30pm and 6pm to 7pm.

Charlie is attending the later session and will be available for questions, or just a chat. Another Great Cornard-based author, Rebecca Elliott has also agreed to be a patron of the library. She is a children’s author and illustrator and has been very supportive of the library including helping with the summer reading challenge presentation. One of her books ‘Zoo Girl’ was nominated for the Kateway Greenaway medal. Both Charlie and Rebecca will be at the library from 6pm next Thursday. Great Cornard Library is based on the grounds of Thomas Gainsborough School in Head Lane and is open every day of the week during term time.

The full opening hours can be found on the Suffolk Libraries website at http://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/libraries-and-mobiles/great-cornard-library/ The library provides a wide range of activities including computer skills courses, Top Time activities for older people and reading activities for children and families.

Voices from the Corn Exchange at Sudbury Library

The Friends of Sudbury Library are holding a supper and guest talk next week with local author Ashley Cooper who has written several books about local history.

The ‘Voices from the Corn Exchange’ event takes place in the library at 7pm on Thursday 21 November. Tickets are £10 and include a supper of soup, bread and cheese and a glass of wine.

Ashley Cooper is a local historian and has written books including ‘The Long Furrow’, ‘Our Mother Earth’ and ‘Heart of our History’. He gives fascinating talks about local history and has opened a museum with remains of a Roman villa in his grounds in Gestingthorpe. His talk will be based on history relating to this area, with reference to the corn exchange in Sudbury (now the library) and the farmers and trades people that would have used it.

Tickets are available from the library or by calling 01787 242570.

Art exhibition at Woodbridge Library – Chinwe Chukwougo-Roy MBE

Woodbridge Library will be hosting an exhibition by Nigerian Artist Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy MBE throughout November.

Chinwe received worldwide recognition for painting the official Golden Jubilee portrait of the Queen and for her work with a number of prominent personalities. In June 2009 she was awarded the MBE for services to art in the Queen’s birthday honours list.Chinwe lived in Hacheston in Suffolk and sadly died in December 2012. She was planning the ArtLib exhibition at the library before she died.She was a versatile artist who worked in oils, pastels, monotypes, traditional print media and sculpture.  Her subjects ranged from portraiture, still life and landscape, to pictures, which captured the traditions and cultures of the African continent. Among her notable works were her ‘Migrants’ series and her ‘African Slave Trade’ series.Chinwe exhibited widely and her work is now represented in public and private collections in over 30 countries.Chinwe’s stunning ‘Masks’ exhibition at the Ipswich School of Art Gallery ran for 6 months until March 2012. For more information about her work go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinwe_Chukwuogo-Roy