 Discover the Staffordshire History Festival this Autumn
September sees the start of the annual Staffordshire History Festival – Staffordshire Library and Arts’ and Archive and Heritage’s two-month celebration of our local history and cultural heritage in Staffordshire and beyond. We will be offering a wide selection of stock displays, events, talks and activities in our libraries as well as plenty of online content again via our social media.
Search for all our online content and news about events on social media using the hashtag #StaffsHistFest or visit the dedicated events listings
To find out more about Library Services please visit: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Libraries/
Go to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/archives for information about the Archives Service’s in-depth collections and services.
If you attend a library event or visit an exhibition during this year's Staffordshire History Festival? We would love to hear from you if you can spare a couple of minutes to complete this simple survey
 Spaced Out in the Sixties
A Truly Fab presentation from Andrew Lound & Penelope Ferguson
Step back in time with Andrew & Penelope for an historic tour through the 1960s, focusing on spaceflight & technology, music, fashion & culture.
Perton Library
Thursday 14th September
7:15pm-9:00pm (arrive for 7pm to be seated)
£4.00 per person
Refreshments served during an intermission.
Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk to book your tickets.
Summer Reading Challenge
Our libraries have a had a fun packed Summer of events for the kids this year.
Here are some photos from Wombourne Library of their ‘Jet-propelled boats’ and ‘Award rosettes’ workshops, Perton's 'Rocket Cars' workshop with the RAF Museum and Codsall's 'Lego Building Bonanza!'
Have your kids completed the Summer Reading Challenge 2023, Ready, Set, Read!, yet?
They have until 11th September to complete the challenge and to collect their certificate and medal from their local Staffordshire Library!
|
FREE Family History Course
Codsall Library will be offering a FREE 5 week Family History course, in association with Penny from Midland Ancestors, starting in September. Get help and advice to begin your journey into your family’s story
5 week course starting:
Monday 18th September — Monday 16th October 2023
10:30am – 1:00pm
The course is FREE, but please book as places are limited.
Contact Codsall Library on 01902 506060 or e-mail codsall.library@staffordshire.gov.uk to book
|
Ancestry 1-2-1s available at Perton Library
Staffordshire Libraries offer free access to the Ancestry website for library, via our onsite computers, for library members.
Learn how to get the most out of this fantastic resource for family history research at a series of hour long 1-2-1s with a member of Library staff this September and October.
Thursday 7th September, 5-6pm
Saturday 16th September, 2-3pm
Sunday 24th September, 2-3pm
Tuesday 26th September, 2-3pm
Wednesday 11th October, 10.30-11.30am
Booking essential. Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Ancestry 1-2-1s available at Codsall Library
1-2-1 sessions are available to be booked every Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout September.
Free, but booking is essential.
Please call 01902 506060 to book or e-mail codsall.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
|
 Perton Library – History and Heritage Fair
Perton Library is celebrating the Staffordshire History Festival with a fantastic family friendly open day on Saturday 7th October from 10:00am until 3:00pm.
As well as looking at what Staffordshire Libraries have to offer for those interested in local and family history there are lots of other exhibitors and plenty of drop-in craft activities and fun for families and children.
- Meet the Vikings and explore their ship, Skidbladnir
- Escape Room activities – Explore Romans and the Second World War
- Museum of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire
- Display of Perton’s local history
- Meet historian Angus Dunphy, author of The Royal Dutch Forces at Wrottesley Park 1941-44
- Stourbridge Lace Guild
- Get family history advice from ‘Midland Ancestors’
- NT Moseley Old Hall
- Arts and crafts for children with local artist Hannah Reynolds
- Staffordshire Museums Service
- Friends of Wolverhampton Archives
- The Shakespeare Man will be performing!
- AiM (Archaeology in Mind)
- Wolverhampton Archaeology Group
- Western Front Association
- And much more to be confirmed
All events are FREE to attend.
Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk for more details.
 History Escape Rooms
Perton Library
Saturday 7th October
Discover what life was like for children during the Second World War or live a day in the life of a Roman soldier and learn how the past has shaped the world we live in today.
Crack codes, work out riddles and solve puzzles!
- Romans - 9:30am – 10:30am
- Second World War – 11:10am-12:10pm
- Romans – 12:50pm-1:50pm
- Second World War – 2:30pm-3:30pm
FREE
Book NOW as places are limited. Contact Perton Library to book on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
For ages 7+, but ages 5/6 welcome with an accompanying adult or older sibling.
This event has been made possible by generous grants from Perton Parish Council and the Friends of Perton Library
 Childrens History Craft Workshops
Make a suncatcher with help from local artist Hannah Reynolds
Come and create a suncatcher inspired by your visit to the Perton Library History Open Day.
Colour in and cut out some of the characters and exhibits you will see at the library. Finally, decorate with all things sparkly to catch the sun.
Hang in the window and remember your day at the library!
Saturday 7th October
10:00am-11:00am
11.15am-12.15pm
12.45pm-1.45pm
2:00pm-3:00pm
FREE
Suitable for all ages and for families to create together.
Booking essential – Contact Perton Library to book on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
 Their Finest Hour Digital Collection Day
Perton Library Thursday 19 October 2:30pm-6pm
Do you have any items related to the Second World War? Would you like to share and preserve these objects and stories for future generations?
Bring your diaries, letters, photographs, memoirs, objects or stories about your family’s experience in the war to Perton Library to be recorded and added to our freely-available, online archive.
Volunteers will be on hand from 2.30pm to 6.00pm to welcome you and help record your story and photograph your objects.
The event is part of a nationwide campaign organised by Their Finest Hour, a team based at the University of Oxford and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is collecting and preserving the everyday stories and objects of the Second World War.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
For more information about the project, please visit the project website (theirfinesthour.org).
 Pock
A terrifying new horror story written and read by A.G. Smith
Since 2009 A.G. Smith’s annual ghost story readings have become an essential date for Staffordshire Libraries, drawing SOLD OUT performances that have guaranteed audiences a wonderful evenings entertainment and left them shaking with fear. The author of the critically acclaimed stage plays ‘An Evening of Delectable Terror’ ‘The Walpurgisnacht Hauntings’ and ‘The Dead of Night’ will be returning to Staffordshire Libraries this autumn to perform a brand new story which he describes as his most chilling to date.
Stage productions of A. G. Smith’s work have sold out theatres from London to Birmingham for consecutive nights and received five star reviews in the press as well as drawing praise from the likes of Led Zeppelin’s legendary singer Robert Plant.
A.G. Smith has recently performed at Hay Literary Festival and will be bringing his Weeping Bank Ghost Stories to Essex Book Festival and the UK Ghost Story Festival in 2024. He is also the creator of the acclaimed Paperchains project which has drawn praise from HM The Queen Consort.
A.G. said
‘it’s always a joy to be returning to Staffordshire to perform readings for audiences in their incredible libraries. I always say that my job is the easy part, I just turn up to read, it’s the dedicated staff in these wonderful libraries who are the unsung heroes of the evening, they work so hard and go above and beyond to make these events so memorable.'
A.G. Smith will be reading at:
- Wombourne Library – Thursday 26th October
- Cannock Library – Wednesday 22nd November
- Perton Library – Thursday 11th January
- Rugeley Library – Thursday 1st February
7:15pm arrival for a 7:30pm start.
£4 per person. (12+ only)
Refreshments available during an intermission.
To avoid disappointment early booking for these events is advised; please call: Wombourne on 01902 506055, Cannock on 01543 334525, Perton on 01902 506050 or Rugeley on 01889 869063
|
 Rocket Cars Fun for Half Term
The RAF Museum Midlands are hosting FREE sessions at Perton Library this half term. Get hands on and build a rocket car out of K'Nex - before launching it and seeing how far it will go! STEM learning and lots of fun!
The activity is suitable for ages 7+, but younger children are welcome if accompanied by older siblings or adults.
Perton Library
Tuesday 31st October
10:30am - 12:30pm
Free - Drop-in
Contact Perton Library for more information (01902 506050)
Family History Course
Perton Library will be offering a FREE 5 week Family History course in association with Penny from Midland Ancestors, starting in November.
Get help and advice to begin your journey into your family’s story.
5 week course starting on Tuesday 7th November 2023
2:15pm – 4:15pm
The courses are absolutely FREE, but please book as places are limited.
Contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 to book.
|
Find out about self-employment at Business Enterprise Support Drop-ins this September
Residents across South Staffordshire can call into Perton Library or Codsall Library to access advice and guidance to start their own business.
The Staffordshire Start-up Hubs, supported by BES, are an initiative that provides advice, support and guidance to those interested in becoming self-employed and starting their own business.
Perton Library Wednesday 6th September 10:30am-12:30pm
Codsall Library Thursday 14th September 10:30am-12:30pm
No appointment is necessary and self employment coaches will be on hand to provide one-to-one advice and guidance.
|
Men in Sheds
Perton Library and the Friends of Perton Library are looking to set up a Men in Sheds group at Perton Library later this year.
Benefits can include:
- You get to use your talents If you are looking to use your skills or put your talents to work, men’s sheds are the perfect place to put your talents to work as you learn and teach others. ...
- Enhancing your creativity Putting your creativity to use can significantly change your life. ...
- Finding a purpose ...
- It is a supportive company of men ...
- Boosting self-esteem ...
To launch the Perton Library ‘Men in Sheds’ group join Forest of Mercia as they guide you through a 4 week work bench building course commencing Wednesday 11th October 10-1 and for the three weeks following.
Free, no experience necessary, all tools and materials provided. Book at the library. You can e-mail perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk or call 01902 506050
|
Library Coffee Mornings
Pop into your local library for a warm welcome!
Brewood Community Library - Places of Welcome, every Friday 10am to 12 Noon.
Kinver Community Library - Pop every Friday morning from 10am for a Warm Welcome. Have a hot drink, browse the new books or play a game from their collection of cards, board games and jigsaws.
You can find out what is going on at your local library here
|
IT Buddy available at Wombourne Library
Every Wednesday
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Free-Bookable slots
Please contact Wombourne Library for more information at 01902 506055
IT Buddy available at Codsall Library
Every Tuesday
2:00pm-4:00pm
Free – Bookable slots
Please contact Codsall Library for more information or to book on 01902 506060
IT Buddy available at Perton Library
Every other Tuesday (next session 18th July)
10:00am-12:00
Free – Bookable slots
Please contact Perton Library for more information or to book on 01902 506050
|
Perton Library Astronomy Club
Pop along to our next meeting for informal chat, presentations and observing if the skies are clear. Bring your own telescope or binoculars if you have them and get help in making the most of them.
Beginners welcome!
Thursday 21st September and 19th of October
7:00pm-9:00pm (and every third Thursday of the Month)
Contact us for more information on 01902 506050 or email: perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
|
 'You can do anything Tyrone' at Perton Library
Tara from Perton Library had great fun reading Lenny Henry's book 'You can do anything Tyrone' as part of a special event in partnership with The Reading Agency.
|
