 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 events, talks, book displays and activities in our libraries as well as plenty of online content again via our social media.
Search for the hashtag #StaffsHistFest on social media, ask at your library, or find events near you here
 'Way Marker' – A Ghost Story
A ghost story to chill the spine from the shelves of Weeping Bank Library, written by A. G. Smith and read by ‘The Librarian’
Cannock Library
Wednesday 27th November.
7.15pm arrival for a 7.30pm start (refreshments available during an interval)
Weeping Bank brings engaging, candlelit performances of ghost stories to community spaces, creating intimate and unique experiences for both avid and reluctant readers, gothic horror fans and lovers of traditional storytelling.
Tickets are £5 and can be booked by telephone on 01543 334525 email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
For more about Weeping Bank, head over to www.weepingbank.com.
Discovering the lives of Staffordshire’s poor – An exhibition at Cannock Library
Between 2018 and 2021 Keele University worked with Staffordshire Archives and Heritage Service on the ‘Small Bills and Petty Finance’ project. Volunteers worked with academic staff from Keele to undertake in-depth research on the poor laws in Staffordshire before 1834.
Archival volunteers worked on the surviving records of the poor law, and particularly the paper ‘vouchers’ collected in parish accounts. These were typically the receipts for goods and services supplied to poor people but paid for by the parish. They included lists of clothes and deliveries of fuel for people living in their own homes, and also the food bought for inmates of early workhouses. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and included research in East Sussex and Cumbria.
This exhibition tells the story of those effected by the poor laws, showcasing examples of this research, covering life for poor people from childbirth under the hands of a parish midwife to burial in a parish coffin.
Cannock Library – throughout September and October, just pop in during open hours to view. The exhibition will be on the first floor.
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 Cannock Workhouse – A talk from Morwenna Rae, Collections Officer at the Museum of Cannock Chase
Cannock Workhouse was a key institution in this area from its building in the 1870s. This talk looks at the staff, inmates and development of this workhouse until the 1910s, tracking who they were and how they ended up there with sometimes tragic and sometimes extraordinary stories.
Cannock Library
Wednesday 9th October 2pm – 3pm
Free
Booking essential as places are limited.
Please contact Cannock Library to book a place on 01543 334525 or email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
 Small Bills, Big Implications? The Poor Law, receipts, and the poor of Staffordshire 1750-1834 - a talk by Alannah Tomkins, Keele University.
Staffordshire's parish archives contain a surprising quantity of historic receipts, the small scraps of paper that were issued to prove that the parish had paid for something.
Between 2017 and 2021, staff at Keele University worked with the archives and with volunteer researchers to unfold some of these scraps to find out what historical information they might contain.
In this talk, Professor Alannah Tomkins will talk about the use of receipts for historical study, the hard work of the project volunteers, and how we can understand more about the way that poor people in Staffordshire were treated by neighbours, institutions, or businesses.
Cannock Library
Wednesday 16th October
2:00pm – 3:00pm with time for Q&A afterwards
FREE
Explore the accompanying exhibition at Cannock Library until the end of October.
Please contact Cannock Library to book a place on 01543 334525 or email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
 Community Exhibition Space available at Cannock Library
At Cannock Library we have exhibition space, available for local artists, creatives or organisations to display their work.
The space comprises a long stretch of boards on our first floor approximately 18 Foot long by 3 Foot 11inches high.
The space can be hired for different periods of time at just £15 per month.
Please contact Cannock Library on 01543 334525 or email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk to enquire about a booking or to discuss further.
Events and exhibitions at Rugeley Library in October
*Every Thursday in October from 2.00-4.00 (runs alongside our Games Club)- ‘Coffee and Browse’: come and browse our bound Rugeley Times and Rugeley Mercury newspapers dated from the 1950s onwards whilst you have a cuppa and a chat. Perhaps join a game of cards or dominoes later. Free drop in.
*All of October in opening hours: ‘Pubs of Rugeley from 1800s onwards’: exhibition.
*Thursday 3rd October at 10.00-10.45 Crafty Caterpillars Tot Group meet the Wonky Donkey! Let’s play with words for National Poetry Day. Free drop in
*Thursday 10th October, 10.00-11.00 Crafty Caterpillars celebrate Libraries Week, ”Every Library a Green Library” by revisiting the Rosa Community Garden with Eco Rugeley. Assemble at the Library for 10 to travel down to St Augustine’s Field together. Story and activity at the Pavilion. Dress for a Mess! Free drop in.
*Thursday 10th October, 2.00-3.00 ‘Make a Connection for World Mental Health Day’. Come join us for a cuppa and a game! Find out what’s on in your area. Free drop in.
*Saturday 12th October, 11.00-12.00 celebrate Libraries Week, ”Every Library a Green Library”- Meet Harry the Hedgehog and let Andy from Hoglets inspire you to make your area hedgehog friendly through games, Lego and Crafts! Suitable for accompanied children aged 4-10. £1.00 per child, spaces limited so booking essential.
1st - 18th October - ‘The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance through the ages’ an exhibition created by the Abbots Bromley Nostalgia Team. Free, drop in, talk on the Horn Dance on Friday 11th October, 10-12, refreshments available.
For further information please contact Rugeley Library on (01889) 869063 or e-mail rugeley.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Find out about self-employment at Support Drop-ins at Cannock Library
Residents across Cannock Chase can call into Cannock 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.
- 22nd October
- 19th November
- 10th December
10am – 1pm
Contact Cannock Library for more details on 01543 334525 or email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
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 Cannock Chase Heritage Trail
Cannock Chase Heritage Trail is a 10-mile route linking the towns of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. It passes through, or close to sites of historic or environmental interest, with interpretation boards along the way that tell the story of each location. Intended to support a healthy lifestyle, the trail is a facility for walkers and cyclists, offering walks and off-road cycle routes.
The trail was initially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and several project partners in 2008.
The trail has recently (2024) been brought to life using animation and audio with the launch of two new digital trails - Chase Tales and Hear Our Heritage.
The new digital offer was unveiled recently at an official launch event which showcased the creation of the two digital trails along with a new trail leaflet and map. New interpretation panels and directional signage have also been installed along the route. You can download a copy of each interpretation panel below.
The new digital trails will encourage families to visit the trail by either walking or cycling the route and will also enhance the current ‘heritage offer’ for those with an interest in local history by bringing to life the information on the current interpretation boards.
Visitors can now take on the new trails via the Cannock Chase Can App where they will need to collect all the QR codes for each themed trail to complete a challenge and gain points and rewards for their efforts. The app is free to download from Google Play or the App Store.
These improvements have been funded by the Cannock Chase Cultural Education Partnership, Cannock Chase Council, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, Cannock Chase National Landscapes and Forestry England.
In addition, you can pick up trail booklets at all Libraries in the Cannock Chase area.
For more information and to download maps visit the Cannock Chase District Council Website
Cannock Library Memory Café
Are you a caregiver for an individual living with dementia?
Come along to Cannock Library every Friday morning 10.30-12.00 and have a cuppa with someone who understands.
No booking required. Free refreshments provided.
For more information contact: 01543 572349 or 01543 334525
Book and a Brew
Relaxed Reading Group. A great way to maintain your wellbeing, make new friends and socialise.
A new fortnightly relaxed reading group at Cannock Library.
Saturday 12th October and fortnightly thereafter.
10:00am – 11:30am
Refreshments provided.
Contact Cannock Library for more details on 01543 334525 or email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Tolkien Trail Walk
Join us for a healthy 8 mile walk from Coppice Hill Car Park, Cannock Chase, in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien, to Great Haywood for a village tour with historian David Robbie
Wednesday 23rd October
10:00am departure (please arrive for 9:45am) at Coppice Hill Car Park on Cannock Chase.
£2 per person (book early as places are limited)
Bring a packed lunch and wear sensible footwear and clothing for the weather conditions
Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk for further details or to book.
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 History Hunters at Cannock Library
The Museum of Cannock Chase is taking the stores on the road! Join them at Cannock Library each month to look at the museum’s collection of photographs, documents and objects from Cannock’s past. Ideal for anyone interested in the local area.
Wednesday 23rd October and 20th November.
2pm- 3.30pm Cannock Library FREE, no booking required
For more details and future dates Tel: 01543 334525 email cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk or visit the Museum of Cannock Chase Facebook page, call 01543 877666 or email museumofcannockchase@ihlmail.org
Recycle at Your Library
Staffordshire Libraries in Cannock Chase are teaming up with Waste Savvy Staffs to expand a bra recycling scheme that also helps to support the ‘Against Breast Cancer’ Charity.
Bra recycling banks are now onsite at Rugeley Library, Cannock Library, Heath Hayes Community Library and Hednesford Community Library and we hope to roll out this offer elsewhere as well. You can also recycle your empty printer cartridges at all four sites and batteries at some sites.
To find out more contact your local library or search for Waste Savvy Staffs on Facebook.
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 Places of Welcome at Cannock Library
Cannock Library hosts a weekly ‘Place of Welcome’ every Monday from 11:00am – 1:00pm.
Places of Welcome are a place where people can feel safe to connect, belong and contribute.
These are run by community groups who want to make sure everyone has a place to go for conversation and a cup of tea if and when they need it.
All Places of Welcome are open to everyone and offer:
- Friendship and hospitality;
- Regular opening at the same time each week;
- Free refreshments (donations welcome);
- Local knowledge about the neighbourhood.
Cannock Library
11:00am – 1:00pm every Monday (except Bank Holidays)
FREE – just pop along, have a cuppa and a chat with our friendly local volunteers from the St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Find out more about Places of Welcome here: www.placesofwelcome.org.uk/ , pop into Cannock Library or call 01543 334525 or e-mail cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Learn French at Cannock Library
Do you want to keep your mind sharp? Why not give your brain a weekly workout by learning French?
Fun & friendly environment, experienced, supportive tutor
Tuesdays 11:30-12:30
Call 07793 556020 or e-mail jane@jlhlanguages.org to find out more
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Cannock Library Bereavement Help Point - Here to Help
A new partnership with St Giles Hospice in the Cannock area is offering a Bereavement Help Point to the Cannock community.
The weekly help point offers :
- Information on how to manage your grief following the death of a loved one
- Advice on how to support yourself and where to receive further help if you need it
- A listening ear, because sometimes all you need to do is talk things through with people who understand
- Library book stock from the Reading Agency Grief and Bereavement Collection is available to borrow
Why not drop in for a cup of tea and a chat with one of our trained bereavement support volunteers.
A partnership between St Giles Hospice & Staffordshire Library & Arts Service
Cannock Library
Every Monday 10:30am-12:30pm (Excluding Bank Holidays)
Contact Cannock Library on (01543) 334525 or St Giles Hospice on (01543) 434 535 or at community.development@stgileshospice.com for more information.
Interested in volunteering to help? Please contact St Giles on the above number/e-mail.
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Library Coffee Mornings
Pop into your local library for a warm welcome!
Rugeley Library Places of Welcome, every Friday 10am to 12 Noon.
Brereton Community Library Coffee Morning, every Thursday 9:30am to 12 Noon.
Cheslyn Hay Community Library Places of Welcome, every Thursday 10am to 12 Noon
Heath Hayes Community Library Places of Welcome, every Friday 10am to 12 Noon
Hednesford Community Library Places of Welcome, every Wednesday 11am to 12:30pm
Norton Canes Community Library Places of Welcome Free Tea/ Coffee, Biscuits/toast - Saturday Mornings 10:15 - 12:30
You can find out what is going on at your local library here
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Find Your Library Online!
Looking for a group or activity? Need to renew or order a book? Want to check out Staffordshire Libraries social media pages!
You can now find them all in one place here: linktr.ee/staffordshirelibraries
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