Purley Festival celebrated in Purley Library

The Purley Festival ran for a second year, with many regular and special activities running in or from the library in Purley.  Here are a selection of the events.

An opportunity to hear from a local milliner - Fascinating Hats by Valerie Mackenzie 

Historical Walks

children's activities

and art work on show....

Purley Festival Opening Ceremony at Purley Library

Thanks to Wendy Ager for this report and images of the opening ceremony, held at Purley Library. We welcome receiving posts, comments and photos from anyone so please email them to soslibrary@hotmail.co.uk.


The speakers were Fiona Lipscombe, Purley Festival Director, who spoke about the community coming together and local business support, without which the festival would not be able to run as we don't get any funding from anywhere. 






The Deputy Croydon Mayor, Councillor Tony Harris, spoke about his memories of Purley from childhood to more recent times and had everyone laughing.








Also, Leanne from the Library spoke about the events at the library and finale weekend, and two artists who are exhibiting their work.








It was a thoroughly enjoyable event with standing room only at the back, and a guitarist played popular tunes afterwards whilst people mingled and had light refreshments, again donated by local people and businesses.






You can follow Purley Festival events:
on twitter at @PurleyFestival
on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PurleyFestival
and on the website,which you can find at http://www.purleyfestival.co.uk/

Festival time at Purley Library!

 Purley Festival

What's On in the library

Building on the success of last year, Purley Festival is back again in 2012, offering a range of activities for all ages, from 25 June to 1st July. More details here. As part of this they have teamed up with Purley Library to run some additional events and to promote some of the regular events on offer in the library.

Purley Library

Monday 25^th June

10.00am – 12.00pm: Felt Making Workshop

Learn how to make your own felt which can be used for card or craft making.  This event is FREE to attend. Please contact Purley Library for tickets.

Tuesday 26^th June

10-10.30am:  Book start Rhymetime 

All family members welcome - Come along with babes in arms and tiny toddlers and join in with songs and rhymes that tinies love.

11-11.30 am: Wiggle and Jiggle

Enjoy songs, rhymes and movement for bigger tots over 18 months and their families

12.00-1.00pm; 1.00-2.00pm; 6.00-7.00pm: Historical walk round Purley

Don't know much about Purley? Find out about Purley’s past as revealed by our own local blue badge guide Tom Kidd. Please join him at the start times above outside Purley Library. If you would like to sign up please contact the library or please get in touch with Tim at Timkidd@bluebowler.co.uk

Thursday 28^th June 

10.00-12.00am: Knit and Stitch 

Join our group for a morning of knitting, sewing, sharing skills & catching up with friends over tea, coffee and your latest craft project.  Everyone welcome.

2.30-3.30pm: “One-Child Policy – Gain or Gamble?” Talk by author Barnaby Powell 

 Barnaby Powell has lived and worked closely with China throughout most of his working life.  His two published books discuss the expansion of China overseas and the gaps in the studies of China by the West and the West by China. Come along to hear him talk first-hand about his experiences and understanding of a very different culture.

10.30-11.00 am: Story time

Come and listen to bugs life! Insect stories and a ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ craft for children aged 2½+. Purley Library.

10.30-12.00am: Adult Writing Group 

Enjoy writing?  Ever dreamt of being an author?  Then why not join Purley Library's Creative Writing Groups for adults?

2.30pm - 3.30pm: “Fascinating Hats” Talk by Valerie Mackenzie

Have you ever wondered how a hat was made or find fascinators, fascinating? Come and listen to local milliner, Valerie Mackenzie’s talk on hat making and demonstration of how to make a fascinator. This event is FREE to attend. Please contact Purley Library for tickets.  

How to contact Purley Library:

And if you fancy supporting the fundraising efforts for Purley Festival  it is not too later to book for the Barn Dance planned for 9th June.