Ranking as one of the most entertaining and amusing speakers, Gervase Phinn will be talking about his latest book and his life as a school inspector.

Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Southend Central Library, Victoria Avenue

Tickets are £7.00 incl refreshments.

There is a 10% discount when you purchase your tickets on-line. Click here.

1st October
11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm
Susan Steggall
Cars, boats, train…. Join in the colourful world of Susan Steggal.  Make your own collage, listen to her delightful stories and join in with lots of fun. Ages 6+

4th October
1-2.30pm
Gervase Phinn
Gervase will be reading from his great novels.  Is there an alien in the classroom?  Come along and find out.  Ages 6+

8th October
11-12.30 or 2-3.30pm
Mark Robertson
What is it like to raise your own dragon from an egg, meet Cleopatra or be eaten by a cavernous mouth?  Enjoy Mark’s tall tales and many fund craft activities.  Materials supplied.  Ages 5+

15th October
11-12.30 or 2-3.30pm
Emma Kennedy
Award winning TV comedy actress and author Emma writes about the feisty, funniest, heroine ever; Wilma Tenderfoot and her dog pickle.  Join her in a mystery at the library.  Can you guess who did it?  Ages 8+

19th October
10-11.30am or 1-2.30pm
Hannah Shaw
Meet the dastardly Evil Weasel and other characters invented by this award winning artist.  Have lots of fund creating your own furry friends.  Ages 5+

25th October
11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm
Edible Book Festival
Sponsored by Home Made Bakery (Essex) Ltd
Love books? Love food?  Then come along to our first Edible Book Festival.  Our specialist cake decorator will guide you to create your favourite book title.  You can also join in the competitions, storytelling and painting.  All materials supplied but bring along any extras you might want to use.  Suitable for children of all ages

28th October
11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm
Steve Feasey
Zombie Daw marks the final chapter in the Changeling Series.  If you like werewolves, vampires and demons then this event is for you.  Steve will be talking and reading from his books as well as giving you the change to think up some horror stories of your own.  Come dressed in a scary costume!  Ages 12+

There is no booking fee for these events.  Under-8s must be accompanied by an adult.  Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start of events.

All tickets are just £3.50 each including refreshments and materials.  To book please use our on-line booking form at the right of this page.  All events must be booked in advance.  Unfortunately we cannot refund for any ticket sales.  Ensure purchasing your tickets please specify whether you are booking a morning or an afternoon session.

Simon Hoggart – 2nd March, 7.30-9.30pm

Simon brings great wit and experience to launch this year’s festival. He allows our favourite MPs no slack as he writes his parliamentary sketches, and on that note alone it makes him a much admired figure. However, his career features much more, with a wealth of talent in writing, journalism and broadcasting. He is a hilarious speaker and will definitely entertain his audience. £9

Colin Evans – 5th March, 2-4pm

‘Slaughter on a Snowy Morn’ tracks the real life drama of a man hours from the death penalty, condemned by a corrupt and brutal system of justice. This is the latest true crime book by an author who sheds light on forensic evidence, autopsies and many dark crimes such as killer doctors. Not to be missed. Check out www.colin-evans.com. £5 Wonderful World of the Writer – Workshop 12th March, 1-4pm This workshop features some great local writers and poets to help you really get started and hopefully published as a writer. A wonderful line up of local talent to inspire you. £5

Barbara Erskine – 16th March, 7.30-9.30pm

Haunting tales of mysticism, magic and heroines, Barbara’s novels come to life across time itself. Depicting the lives of noblewomen she unravels their secrets in a swathe of passion and political alliances. Definitely one of our most favourite authors! £5

Sara Paretsky – 19th March, 2-4pm

Featuring the iconic private eye V I Warshawski, Sara’s novels encapsulate the mystery and drama which drives her main character. Latest in the series, ‘Body Work’ sets a trail from Chicago to the Gulf War, bringing Warshawski to ever new perils in her search for justice and truth. Utterly compelling! £7

Sophia Blackwell – 23rd March, 7.30-9.30pm

Into temptation - if you find poetry all too tame and passing you by, then come and hear Sophia. Her debut poems track the tortuous route we take under love’s banner, visiting its brutal fascination to its elegant gentleness. Some call her the Amy Winehouse of poetry – don’t miss the opportunity to decide for yourself! £5

Sir Roy Strong – 30th March, 7.30-9.30pm

You would be forgiven for thinking he comes from a privileged background but here is a man who, by his own efforts, has cut a swathe through the English class system. He is the Lord High Steward of Westminster Abbey, was director of the V&A, is a writer, historian, gardener and a wonderful gentleman. What a delight to have him at this year’s festival. £9

Ticket hotline: 01702 534147 or email libraryservicedevelopment@southend.gov.uk.

Tickets:

• Silver Pass just £29 – entry to all author events (not Wonderful World of the Writer).
• Gold Pass £32 – entry to all events including Wonderful World of the Writer.
• Individual events priced as shown.
• Discount: 10% mailing list and reading group members.

Venue:

All at Southend Central Library, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6EX Tel : 01702 215011 Ext. 4147.

Refreshments included at all events

Special Requirements: please inform us of any access or dietary requirements. Carers are admitted free to all events but need to book a place.

Southend Central Library is organising a craft afternoon this wednesday for children between 5-11 (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult).

Children’s Library, Southend Central Library, Victoria Avenue

Times: 2-4pm

Free, drop-in, session.

It’s inspired by the pantomime currently at Cliffs – Peter Pan – and aimed at children between 5-8 years. They will learn all about the characters in Peter Pan, create their own Neverland, learn about Pantomime and have a go at a bit of acting themselves.

Time: 10-12pm.

Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from the front desk at the Library.

Southend Central Library / Victoria Avenue, Southend

The Southend Central Library is hosting a children’s book festival, PAINT A STORY. Book now – the tickets are going fast!

Children’s book authors and poets will lead a series of storytelling and craft workshops. Renowned artist Jane Ray launches the festival on the 2nd October, followed by Claire Freedman – the author of the best-selling hilarious series Aliens in Underpants! Jackie Morris will be hosting 2 events for schools and Ellie who is still in school is coming for a day of mouth-watering fun! Performance poet Justin Coe wraps up the festival with 2 acclaimed workshops – The Ringmaster of Rhymes and the Jumble Book (aimed at children with dyslexia).

Note that these events are interactive and could be messy! Book tickets for morning or afternoon session at just £2 per child- parents/carers go free!  All materials and refreshments provided, along with free competitions. Programme and tickets available at Southend Central Library or phone the ticket hotline on 01702 215011 Ext. 4147

Programme of Events:

• 2 October Jane Ray  11-12.30am and 2-3.30pm
• 9 October Claire Freeman 11-12.30pm and 2-3.30pm
• 12 October  Jackie Morris  10.30-12pm and 1-2.30pm
• 26 October Ellie – Princess Chloe 11-12.30pm and 2-3.30pm
• 28 October Debutots  11-11.40am
• 30 October Justin Coe  11-12.30 and 2-3.30pm

‘Three Ages in Art’ include the latest impressionistic oil portraits and landscapes from local painter John Harwood; adventurer son Phil’s travel photography; and granddaughter Jemma who will be presenting analogue photography and digital imagery.

Johns’ figurative oil painting expresses the beauty of the landscape around us, both manmade and natural, where within the composition of elements a narrative or emotion emanates. John has exhibited previously, including prize winning works at the Beecroft Gallery’s Open Exhibition.

Phil’s intrepid journeys yield profound insights into the lives of native fishermen and villagers, from the photographer’s five month canoe trip through the Congo. Traversing two thousand, eight hundred miles of Congo River and averaging eight hours paddling each day, Phil developed a reverent understanding of this most dangerous region and the beauty it holds.

Ground Floor Gallery, Southend Central Library, Victoria Ave

The SPACE HOP is this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Check the schedule below for accompanying kids events at Southend Libraries, most of which are free.

DEBUTOTS – Free Story Workshop for 4-7 years – Join in these fun workshops about Micetronauts or Stella the Star and take an active part in storytelling: Southchurch – 10 Aug – 2-2.40pm / Westcliff – 12 Aug 10.30-11.15am / Southend Central – 13 Aug 2-2.40pm / Kent Elms – 16 Aug 10.30-11.10am

WALL-E - Film Screening at Southend Central: 11 Aug – 11 am  – £2 tickets – Journey into space in this exciting Pixar classic – One adult goes free with one paying child.

SPACE WALLETS at Southchurch – 12 Aug – 2-4pm – decorate your space wallets

ROCKET FUN at Thorpedene – 17 Aug 10-11.30am – Free – 6-9years – Make a fantastic rocket to display in the library. The best rocket will receive a prize.

OUT OF THIS WORLD CRAFTS at Kent Elms – 23 Aug – 10.30 – 12.30pm – free – Make a flying saucer or a space monster to take home or to help decorate the library

FLYING SAUCERS – Make your own flying saucer to hang in your room: Southend Central – 18 Aug  10-11 or 11.30 – 12.30pm / Southchurch – 19 Aug 2-4pm

ALIEN ANTICS at Southend Central – 25 Aug – 10-11am or 11.30-12.30pm – create an alien to scare your parents with!

More information about Soutehnd Libraries – visit their WEBSITE HERE.

BA year 2 fine art students will be showing their work at the Southend Library and Museum. The opening is on Monday 29 March and the show runs until 3 April.

The works will be installed at different locations at both places  – the Southend Library and the Southend Museum. The visitors will be given ‘maps’ to help them locate the work.

The idea is to present a range of site-specific works that respond and work within its environment.

One of the projects is video-documenting the flow of visitors between the two venues.

Open until 3 April.

The youngest Southend artists showed their work at the Schools Show Art Exhibition at the Library.

The annual exhibition included art projects from Southend pupils aged 5-17. The Mayor, Councillor Brian Smiths, presented awards to the winners.

Thorpe Greenways Infant School has scooped the overall prize -Best Exhibit in the Show - with their Renoir-inspired project.

RENOIR PROJECT: