ART IN THE LIBRARY We are delighted to be hosting a wonderful exhibition by local artist Rachel Gill this month entitled ‘Chiltern Hills – Spring and Summer’. Rachel works primarily in acrylic and mixed media and these paintings aim to capture the brightness of the Chilterns at this time of year; showcasing the joy of some golden daylight after a wet and grim winter. A celebration of a summer of sunshine! Do come in and admire them. From the middle of the month, we will also have a new piece from our Artist in Residence Neil Foreman, so there is plenty to see in our library this summer.
FAMILY HISTORY SESSIONS Don’t forget if you would like to research your family history you can get help from an expert; pop into the library and book a one-hour one-to-one session with our family historian volunteer who is available on the third Thursday of the month.
FOWL FA Whilst our regular offerings of Rhymetime, Storytime and Lego Club are taking a well-deserved summer break, we have a very special treat in store this month. FOWL is funding a visit from the Big Bubble Theatre Company to perform ‘Wonderland’; a fun interactive play for primary-aged audiences inspired by Alice in Wonderland and created to celebrate the joys of books and reading. This will be happening on August 19th at 10am. Spaces will be limited and whilst tickets are free, you will need to collect them from the library to reserve your place.
The Summer Reading Challenge continues this month; running in all Oxfordshire libraries until the beginning of September. This year, in partnership with Universal Music Group UK, the theme is Read to the Beat – highlighting the joy of reading inspired by music. Medals, certificates and entry into a special prize draw are all up for grabs for children taking up the challenge over the summer, with a special mini-challenge also available for the under 4s. For more information either pop into the library – or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/summer-reading-challenge and go to summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
AUTHOR TALKS Looking ahead to our autumn programme, we are very much looking forward to welcoming Dr Heather Elgood MBE in September. She will be sharing some of her extensive expertise on Indian art; talking specifically about the Mughal empire and the embodiment of Imperial power in the 16-17th centuries. Examples will be taken from the recent V & A Exhibition ‘The great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence’ together with some paintings from the Windsor Royal Library. A rare treat not to be missed. Watch out for when tickets become available.
Did you get your entries in for the photography competition? Work is underway to create our new calendar for 2027 and it will be available later in the year.
Dr Anna Tilley; Chair FOWL
Friends of Watlington Library 