LUNCHTIME LECTURES by MK Archives
at Central Library
We're thrilled to announce the return of the MK Archives 'Lunchtime Lectures' at Central Library. After last year's successful series, they have returned for the summer and autumn. You're invited to bring your lunch and join us while you discover something new. (These lectures are adult events)
OLNEY: The Home of Amazing Grace
Thursday, 19 September ~ 1.15-1.45pm
Tom Jones, Trustee at the Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney, tells the story of how a chance meeting between a poet and a curate led to a writing collaboration which set the 18th century world talking ... and singing!
Tickets are free and your place can be booked online in advance. Entry on the day is subject to availability.
RESEARCHING YOUR HOUSE HISTORY
Thursday 10 October ~ 1.15-1.45pm
Chris Low, Archivist at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, reveals how you can discover more about where you live. From new town residences to historic homesteads, Chris will guide you to the research resources you need.
Tickets are £3 on the door or you can book your place online in advance. Entry on the day is subject to availability.
This is the 14th year that the Milton Keynes area will have celebrated Heritage Open Days. In 2006 there were 15 events held across MK and 2019 will see 150 events showcasing our distinctive and world-class heritage, arts and culture. What's more - they're all FREE!
COWPER & NEWTON - LIMELIGHTS & STARDOM EXHIBITION
3 September - 1 October 2019
Visit this exhibition by the Cowper & Newton Museum, Olney, at the top of the stairs in Central Library.
Discover more about the 18th century poet William Cowper and the Rev John Newton – their fame, fans and followers. Be inspired by poetry and learn how these two comrades campaigned to abolish the slave trade.
MK: A JOURNEY TO 2050 EXHIBITION
21 August - 21 September 2019
This exhibition is your opportunity to come and see what the future plans are for Milton Keynes - it shows how MK is expected to develop over the next two decades.
In 2016 the MK Futures 2050 Commission published their report recommending Six Big Projects to transform Milton Keynes, making our great city greater.
It has now been three years since these recommendations were published and this exhibition shares the progress with everyone in MK.
GROW YOUR FAMILY TREE
Saturday 21 September 2019 ~ 2-2.45pm
Join archivist Katherine Gwyn to explore the techniques and skills needed to start and grow your family tree. Suitable for novice and experienced genealogists.
This event is part of the MK Heritage Open Days and is FREE. There is no need to book your place in advance and you are welcome to come along on the day.
'On the Verge' brings you this illustrated talk by Martin Petchey, archaeologist.
The Secklow Mound - Milton Keynes' Ancestral Meeting Place - is a Scheduled Ancient Monument that lies behind Milton Keynes Central Library. The low turf-built mound served as a meeting place for the elders of the Secklow Hundred.
These evenings are brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO) and all profits will be donated to FoLiO's Craft Clubs and activities.
CRAFTING FOR CHANGE at Stony Stratford Library
Tuesdays 10.30am-12.30pm (term times only)
This is a friendly group, suitable for all ages and abilities, where members use their crafting skills to improve the lives of the local community and support the library.
Come along to the group: get involved with library displays and community events or bring your own project to work on.
Free to attend, although voluntary donations for tea,coffee and biscuits are very welcome!
Children's Hours offer staff led stories, songs and crafts along with educational toys. The libraries are closed to the public during these sessions and are used exclusively for families attending the Children's Hour.
Sessions cost £2 per child on the door and no advance tickets are required.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES at Central Library
Alternate Thursdays ~ 10.30am - 12noon
English conversation classes are for anyone who would like to practise and improve their English as a second language, gain better skills for study or employment, or just get on in everyday life.
Everyone is welcome to join us on the day and you don't need to register. If you'd like to know more you can phone 01908 254050 or speak to library staff.
5 September
19 September
3 October
17 October
31 October
14 November
28 November
12 December
Please note that the classes are led by library volunteers and are not part of any ESOL curriculum.
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IELTS is the world's proven English language test and can be accessed online at all Milton Keynes Libraries and from your computer at home. For more information, visit the eLibrary web page.
CRAFT AND CHAT
Fridays 2-4pm at Newport Pagnell Library
Join us for two hours of crafting and friendship at Newport Pagnell Library on Friday afternoons.
Everyone is welcome to come along regardless of experience - beginners and experts all coming together to craft and chat!
While Newport Pagnell Library is closed for refurbishment (Sep-Dec 2019) the group will meet at The Kings Arms, Severn Drive, Newport Pagnell MK16 9BY.
Join us for this free club at Woburn Sands Library. It's open to everyone regardless of your chess playing abilities - we can even throw in some tuition if you'd like!
ACTIVITY HATCH SESSIONS at Woburn Sands Library
Saturdays 10am-12noon
Self-service play activities for children of all ages encouraging youngsters to visit and enjoy the library. There will be Duplo, toys, drawing and colouring, books, HappyLand, cutting and sticking ... fun in all shapes and sizes!
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
(Sessions are free to attend but voluntary donations are welcome)
Meet your local Councillors and take the opportunity to discuss local issues. Councillor Surgeries are on the following days:
Newport Pagnell Library - on the first Saturday of each month 10.30am-12.30pm with Newport Pagnell South Ward Councillors. During the library refurbishment (Sep-Dec 2019) the surgery will be held at The Brooklands Centre (rear of Royal British Legion, Ousebank Street, Newport Pagnell)
Bletchley Library - on the third Saturday of each month 10-11am with the Bletchley Park Ward Councillor.
SATURDAY CRAFT CLUB at Olney Library
Second Saturday of every month
Crafts and creativity brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO) with a different theme each month.
This craft club has proved so popular that there are now two separate sessions with 12 children at each.
You will need to book your place in advance by clicking the BOOK NOW button for the session you'd like to attend. There is a suggested voluntary contribution of £3 per child payable on the day.
COMPUTER HELP SESSIONS IT Buddies are waiting to help you
If you'd like a little guidance about about using computers, the internet, your iPad, tablet or phone, setting up emails or have any computer related questions you'd like answered, we have amazing volunteers called IT BUDDIES ready to help you.
BRING YOUR OWN BOOK!
Monthly Book Chat Group at Newport Pagnell Library
Do you have a book that you would love to share with others? The Book Chat Group meets once a month on a Monday evening at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome - just come along on the night and bring your favourite book! The next meeting dates are:
7 October 2019
4 November 2019
2 December 2019
While Newport Pagnell Library is closed for refurbishment (Sep-Dec 2019) the group will meet in the front lounge of The Swan Revived Hotel at 5.30pm.
For more information, please contact Newport Pagnell Library on 01908 610933. The library is closed on Mondays and group members meet at the Riverside door at 5.30pm for entry.
Expert John Hanson is offering free 20 minute consultations to help you with research into your Family History. Sessions are held on Thursdays between 4.15-7.30pm and need to be booked in advance by phoning 01908 254051 or emailing Central Library.
Future dates pending
Family History sessions always prove very popular and we would recommend booking early!
FoLiO (Friends of the Library in Olney) support Olney Library with many activities and have lined up another amazing programme of talks for 2019. Download your copy of the events (PDF, 134KB) and save the dates.
MY LIFE OF CRIME
Monday, 7 October 2019 ~ 7.30pm
Barrister and author, Simon Michael, will be speaking about his 'Life of Crime' - or rather, his life writing crime novels.
Tickets are £5. You will need to book your place in advance online and pay at the door on the evening.
Bob Bolton with be joining us for the evening and speaking about 'Dogs for Good' - an innovative charity, exploring ways dogs can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives and communities.
Tickets are £5. You will need to book your place in advance online and pay at the door on the evening.
The Friends of Stony Stratford Library bring a variety of activities and events to Stony Stratford Library. Watch this space for the latest updates. More details to follow for future events - save the dates!
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE - The Garden in Art
Saturday, 28 September 2019 ~ 12.30-1.30pm
Gardens have appeared in art since the earliest times. They appear in portraits or as a background for religious or mythological themes. But in the late nineteenth century – and especially with the Impressionists, gardens begin to be portrayed for their own sake.
This illustrated talk by Bill Prescott discusses the transition of the garden in art from backdrop to centre stage, looking at a wide range of artists who have chosen to portray the garden – and exploring how garden paintings may reveal much more than we at first imagine.
Tickets for the talk are available from Stony Stratford Library (01908 562562) from Friday, 6 September. Tickets are free but FoSSL welcome donations on the night.
Future dates with more information to follow:
Talk by Richard Bessel on the photographer 'Lee Miller in Germany 1945' - Tuesday, 22 October 2019 at 7pm.
MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS - The City Builders’ Stories
28 August - 28 October 2019
Milton Keynes today is a thriving, multi-cultural city of nearly a quarter of a million people, yet 50 years ago the site was largely occupied by farmers’ fields where crops were grown and cattle grazed.
This exhibition tells the story of Milton Keynes’ early years, told by those who were part of the Development Corporation, tasked with its planning and development. Featuring extracts from interviews and images for the Living Archive MK Collection.
There will also be a free screening of the film that accompanies this exhibition on Sunday 15 September at The Odeon MK1. Book your tickets online in advance.
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