A NEW OFFERING: TECHNOLOGY HELP IN THE LIBRARY : FOWL are delighted to announce a new initiative in the library – Free Technology Help!
Would you like some practical help using technology? Perhaps assistance with email/documents, spotting scams, editing photographs, using QR codes, shopping online or managing files.
Starting in October, we will be running a new programme of free monthly technology help sessions, generously funded by a grant from Watlington and District Age Concern (WADAC). Each session lasts one hour and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and receive friendly guidance. You are welcome to come with or without your own device. Please note that these sessions do NOT provide IT diagnosis or repairs.
Sessions will be held at 10am and 11am on the first Wednesday of the month; October 7th, November 4th, December 2nd.
Spaces will be limited, so please pop into the library to reserve your free place and let us know what you would like help with.
ART IN THE LIBRARY Our FOWL art exhibitions continue to be a source of pleasure and interest and a wonderful use of the library as a community space. Thank you to Rachel Gill for her recent beautiful exhibition. This month we are delighted to be hosting a wonderful new exhibition by local artist Jackie Hughes. Entitled ‘Still Life with Flowers’ her work explores ordinary and sometimes beautiful domestic objects linking things, patterns, surfaces, shape and colours. Do pop in and admire her work. We also have a new piece from our Artist in Residence Neil Foreman, entitled ‘Red Chimneys’ – a striking abstract painting in direct contrast to the previous work displayed, demonstrating Neil’s impressive versatility. Definitely worth a visit.
FOWL FA : FOWL were pleased to sponsor a visit from the Big Bubble Theatre company recently. They performed ‘Wonderland’, a fun interactive play for primary-aged audiences inspired by Alice in Wonderland and created to celebrate the joys of books and reading. It was a wonderful occasion, providing an opportunity for the children of Watlington to see live theatre for free in our own community library. A great time was had by all.
Rhymetime, Storytime and Lego Club reconvene this month after the summer break: Rhymetime will fall on September 1st and 15th; Storytime on September 4th and 19th and Lego Club on September 26th.
AUTHOR TALKS Our talk this month sold out within a week of being on priority sale to Friends. On September 18th Dr Heather Elgood MBE 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. If you were not able to get a ticket, please consider joining the Friends, which will afford you access to Priority Booking for all our talks.
We will be holding our AGM on October 15th at 8pm.
Looking ahead to November, we are thrilled to be hosting David Keable-Elliott for a very special talk to mark Remembrance Day. Watch out for further details nearer the time.
COLOURS OF WATLINGTON CALENDAR We had a tremendous response to our photography competition to create the FOWL 2027 Colours of Watlington calendar. 181 entries were received from 34 photographers with an exceptional standard across the board. Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to enter; there have been some wonderful images in the mix and some very difficult decisions to make. Watch out for when the finished product is available later in the year.
Dr Anna Tilley; Chair FOWL
This lovely photo, taken by Julie Cotterell, appears in our Watlington Walks calendar
Friends of Watlington Library 