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Libraries Newsletter
October 2021
 
Editorial
 
It's been good to see more people back in the libraries as more clubs and societies return, and things start to feel a little more like 'normal'.  Many of our regular partners and groups have started booking rooms and meeting again.  If you usually attend a group but haven't been for a while, it's worth checking with the group leader who usually organises this to find out if they've got plans to reopen yet.  October is going to be a busy month for us, kicking off with Libraries Week from 4th to 10th October, Get Online Week from 18th to 24th, and finishing with the schools' half term holiday from 25th to 29th.  More information about these is below.

Libraries Week, 4th - 10th October
 
We are joining with other libraries up and down the country in celebrating Libraries Week 4th - 10th October, with a number of special activities lined up. 


On Tuesday 5th October at 2.00 pm in Blackburn Library, Richard Holden will be talking about his new book 'Boom and Bust in Cotton Manufacturing: The Holden Weaving Mills of Blackburn'.  Entry is by free ticket, available by contacting library@blackburn.gov.uk.  Please note that there has been a lot of interest in this event already, so please order tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day, but if you can't make it then the books are also available to buy from both Blackburn Library and Blackburn Museum, price £7.95.


On Wednesday 6th October, Blackburn with Darwen residents have the opportunity to dial in to a virtual author visit organised by St Helens Libraries with international best-selling author Lesley Pearse.  The event starts at 6.30 pm and tickets are free.  If you're interested in taking part, please book via Eventbrite at b.link/StHLibsLesleyPearse.

Throughout the week, we will have free goody bags to give away for children from all our libraries, and members of staff will be promoting a variety of digital games, "how to" and story time videos, and online resources in Blackburn Library.  Local born author Christina Gabbitas will be returning to work with some school groups on 5th and 6th October too.

British Textile Biennial comes to Darwen Library

Starting during Libraries Week, in association with C.P. Company, the Westminster Menswear Archive presents an archive selection celebrating the brand’s 50th anniversary with a display in Darwen Library.  A series of cabinets present a range of artefacts from across the decades from C.P. Company. These include early examples of the brand's knitwear and outerwear with accompanying press books. Another cabinet explores the various technical accessories that were integral to the garments from the Urban Protection range from the late 1990s. Finally, there is a display of 12 issues of the iconic C.P. Company magazine that was first published in 1985 and pioneered a new approach to fashion marketing as it exclusively contained the brand’s seasonal promotion material presented as a men’s fashion magazine.  Alongside the exhibition there is also a selection of paintings by local artist Adil Amin who paints young Asian males wearing C.P. Company, as well as a series of images from the Portrait Youth project.  For details of the full biennial programme, please see https://britishtextilebiennial.co.uk/programme/


NEW tablet loan service
 
We will be launching a new tablet loan service during Get Online Week, aimed at people who want to get online but don't yet know how to do it.  Four, weekly sessions will be held on Wednesday mornings, starting on 20th October, 10.30 - 11.30 am, and participants will be able to borrow a tablet if they need to.  Library membership is required to borrow a tablet, but this is free of charge if you aren't already a member.  For more information, please phone Louise Barnett on (01254) 587934.

Half term

We'll be making beautiful autumnal themed lanterns at Blackburn Library and Darwen Library during the half term holiday from school.  The sessions will run on a 'drop in' basis at Blackburn Library on Monday 25th October between 10 am and 12 pm, and at Darwen Library on Wednesday 27th October between 1 and 3 pm.  Booking will not be required, but depending on how busy we get you might need to wait a little while when you arrive before making your lantern.

Regular activities and events
 
In addition to the above, the following regular events will be happening this month:
Blackburn Library, tel: (01254) 661221
- Mon, 1.30 - 3.30 pm, IT course, weekly, booking required
- Wed, 10.30 - 11 am, Read, rhythm & rhyme, weekly (term time only), booking required
- Wed, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Tablet training, weekly (starts 20th Oct), booking required
Darwen Library, tel: (01254) 706021
- Wed, 1.30 - 3.30 pm, IT course, weekly, booking required
- Wed, 2 - 2.30 pm, Story time, weekly (term time only), booking required
- Fri, 10.30 - 11 am, Story time, weekly (until 22nd Oct only), booking required
Cherry Tree Library, tel: (01254) 209442
- Mon, 2 - 3 pm, Brew Time, weekly, drop in
- Tue, 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Tai Chi, weekly, booking required
- Wed, 10.30 - 11 am, Story time, weekly, drop in
- Wed, 11 am - 12 pm, Brew time, weekly, drop in
- Fri, 2 - 4 pm, Knit & natter, weekly, drop in
Roman Road Library, tel: (01254) 682347
- Thu 21st Oct, 10 - 11.30 am, Connect & learn with IT, booking required

Richard & Judy Book Club
 
Borrow or reserve your copies from a Blackburn with Darwen library if you want to read along with this year's book club.  Details of the short list are below...


Celebration of Blackburn's former MP


Barbara Castle MP, at the official opening of the new
Blackburn Central Library in 1975.

 
This month sees the unveiling of a new statue of Barbara Castle, Blackburn's MP from 1945 until 1979, and later Baroness Castle of Blackburn.  Needless to say, as such a prominent figure in the life of the town (as well as on the national political stage) she features in many photos and press cuttings in the Blackburn with Darwen library archives.  Look out for a display featuring a selection of these in Blackburn Central Library in the next few weeks.

New articles on Cotton Town
 
Delve far into the early history of the Fernhurst and Ewood areas of Blackburn with Mike Sumner's latest article, which includes the early history of Blackburn Rovers Football Club here: 
https://www.cottontown.org/Housing/Parish%20histories/Pages/Ewood-and-Fernhurst.aspx.
Meanwhile, Stephen Smith has been carrying out some research into Blackburn man Robert Rigby, and his claims to have been a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade, but can he unravel the truth?  Find out here: https://www.cottontown.org/Wars/PreBoerWarConflicts/Crimea/Pages/Charge-of-the-Light-Brigade.aspx.
 
Mystery History Photo


 
Congratulations if you correctly identified last month's photo (above) as the site of what is now Sainsbury's in Darwen.  The photo was taken in 1979, with Bridge Street and the tower of St Peter's Church in the background.

The area below has changed even more since this month's photo was taken, but there are still one or two familiar landmarks that might help you to get your bearings.  Whereabouts in Blackburn is it?  As usual, there are no prizes for guessing - it's all just for fun!

 


Offers from partners

The Bureau, Blackburn

 
A whole host of interesting activities and events are taking place at The Bureau, Blackburn.  From bike repair workshops to spoken word performances, or from street band rehearsals to art and craft workshops, have a look at their page on Ticketsource and see if there's something you want to sign up for: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=the%20bureau%20blackburn

Targeted Lung Health Check programme
 
From Monday 27th September, Blackburn with Darwen will be participating in the pilot Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. The programme will last for 7 weeks.
 
Who is a Lung Health Check for?
If a person is:
- Over 55 but younger than 75 years old.
- Registered with a GP.
- Has ever smoked and it is registered on their GP records.
They will either receive a letter or phone call inviting them to take part.
If you think that your GP doesn’t know you smoke, or used to smoke, let them know.
 
What happens if you attend a Lung Health Check?
You have a phone appointment with a health professional. If this shows that you are at higher risk of lung cancer, you will be offered lung cancer screening. Lung cancer screening uses a low dose CT scan to take a detailed picture of your lungs.
The screenings will be taking place at Ewood Park.
You’ll be offered support for quitting smoking if you still smoke.


 
Please note: Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are the contributor’s own and are not necessarily endorsed by Blackburn with Darwen library and information service.

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