Molesey Library gets a vivid portrait of the life of Jane Austen

We'll all be seeing a lot more of Jane Austen as the famous author - beloved for classics like Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility - appears on £10 notes from 2017.

And at Molesey Library guests had an opportunity to discover more about Jane's life and times and settings for her novels, courtesy of the immensely knowledgeable Elizabeth Proudman, vice chairman of the Jane Austen Society and a life-long enthusiast for the author.

Elizabeth gave a talk at Molesey Library in April and painted a vivid portrait of Jane and her life and, in particular, of her attractive and talented family.

Jane’s father George had a handsome and charming man and her mother was witty. Jane’s sister Cassandra was her lifelong friend and, although little is known about her brother George, who lived with a local farming family, her five other brothers were all extremely talented and successful. Francis was a serving officer in the navy for 81 years and ended up as admiral of the fleet. Charles similarly had a long naval career and became a rear-admiral.  Edward, adopted by relatives, became a very wealthy man while Henry was a member of the militia and, for a time,  a successful banker who lived a very grand life.  James was an Oxford scholar before following his father into the Church.

In her talk, Elizabeth acknowledged that Jane Austen had only a fairly short formal education but argued that her life with her family more than compensated for this and gave her a wide range of travel and experiences which she was able to draw on when writing her books. She said she had no doubts about Jane’s authorship of her books – contrary to the views of West Molesey author Nicholas Ennos (who was in the audience for Elizabeth’s talk) - who at a previous author event put forward his controversial view that the novels were written not by Jane herself but by her cousin and later sister-in-law, Eliza de Feuillide.

Elizabeth defended Jane’s authorship by pointing out direct links between Jane’s experiences in her own life and references and incidents in her books.

Elizabeth concluded that it was a fitting tribute to Jane Austen that she will join a distinguished line of great Britons who have adorned the nation's banknotes.

The great Jane Austen debate continues at Molesey Library this April

Elizabeth Proudman

The next Author Event at Molesey Library – on Tuesday April 28th at 7.30 pm – will see a welcome return visit from Elizabeth Proudman, formerly Chairman and currently Vice-Chairman of the Jane Austen Society.

Elizabeth came to the Library a year ago when Molesey author Nicholas Ennos gave a talk putting forward his controversial view that Jane Austen’s novels were written not by Jane herself but by her cousin and later sister-in-law, Eliza de Feuillide. Nicholas’s talk provoked a very lively debate in which Elizabeth mounted a staunch defence of Jane’s authorship.

We are very pleased that Elizabeth has now agreed to return to give us further insight into Jane Austen. Her talk, entitled ‘Who was Jane Austen?” will tell us about Jane and her Hampshire family. Elizabeth will also include more about Eliza de Feuillide, her relationship with the Austen family, and the reasons why she is completely convinced that Jane wrote her books and that Eliza did not!

Nicholas Ennos doubts Jane Austen is the true author

Elizabeth is a lifelong lover of Jane Austen’s books and for much of her working life was a Blue Badge tourist guide. For over 10 years she led an annual 10- day tour of the Austen sites in England for JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America). She believes that it is fair to say she has been everywhere Jane knew or wrote about!

This should be a fascinating evening. Tickets for the event are £5 – which includes a glass of wine or soft drink – and they can be purchased at Molesey Library.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque (made payable to Friends of Molesey Library) with a stamped addressed envelope, to Author Event, Molesey Library, Walton Rd, West Molesey KT8 2HZ.

Allotment provides fertile soil for guest author Robert Irvine's murder mystery

In an entertaining talk at Molesey Library, Twickenham-based author Robert Irvine told us about his recently published first novel called “A Row of Beans – An llotment Murder Mystery” and the trials and tribulations of getting it in to print.

Robert explained that, when embarking on the novel following his retirement, he had heeded advice to write about what he knew. Hence his decision to set the plot in a church parish on the outskirts of London, as he himself has held many voluntary positions in the Anglican Church, and to locate the murder in an allotment, as he and his wife are keen gardeners.

His central character, detective Alistair MacTavish was also, as Robert explained, developed from a casual holiday acquaintance.


Whilst writing the novel was a challenge in itself, it was as nothing compared to getting it published!
Robert told us about his repeated approaches to literary agents and the depressing litany of rejection slips. Even after having decided eventually to pay for self-publication, the path was by no means an easy one. A duplicitous Mr X ran off with his money, the edited typescript disappeared for months into the hands of a company liquidator, and the first copies off the press were littered with typos and lay-out errors.


Fortunately, things are looking brighter now. Robert told us about his success in selling the book in California and the approaches he has received to turn it into a film or radio play. Undeterred by the problems encountered in publishing his first novel, he is now well into writing his second.

Robert Irvine’s talk was the latest in our popular series of Author Events at Molesey Library. The next one will be held on Tuesday April 28th when we shall welcome Elizabeth Proudman of the Jane Austen Society.

MP Dominic Raab to speak about his published work at the Friends of Molesey Library AGM

A message from Pauline Morozgalska, chairman of the Friends of Molesey Library, about this year's annual general meeting on Tuesday 27th January, 7pm.
"The last 12 months have been good for the Library and the Friends have supported manager Jo Ryan and her team in a variety of ways. Come along and find out what we have been up to. For those who think AGM's are boring - think again as we are delighted to welcome guest speaker, Dominc Raab MP to talk about his interest in writing. He writes regular newspaper articles and has had several books published. The evening is a Meet the Author freebee combined with a little business so do come along and you will find a warm welcome."

Author Robert Irvine to give a talk on his allotment murder mystery A Row of Beans

Twickenham based author Robert Irvine will be at Molesey Library on Tuesday February 24th to discuss his allotment murder mystery 'A Row of Beans' and his approach to writing. Tickets are available from the library now.

Friends of Molesey Library: Committee Meeting report back

The Friends held their first committee meeting of the new year at Molesey Library on Tuesday January 6th.
Among the topics discussed were arrangements for the AGM later this month, and purchases to improve the garden area and the popular author evenings. Present were chairman Pauline Morozgalska, library manager Joanne Ryan and committee members Steve Bax, Nigel and Elizabeth Cooper and Carol Parker.
Matters arising: A number of plaques have been purchased for the outside benches to let people know that they have been provided by the Friends of Molesey Library. We'll also be buying some tables for outside so that the garden area can be better used in the warmer months.
A long term aspiration of the Friends is to extend the library building, probably with a conservatory, again to make the most of the garden. The next task will be to discuss with Surrey County Council whether it would have any objection in principle to extending in the way proposed, before the FOML goes to the expense of commissioning detailed drawings.
The guest author evenings held at the Library in 2014 were very popular with the local community and it is hoped that this year's line-up will continue the success. John Coope has organised and compered many of the evenings, which last year included travel writer Jonathan Buckley, an insight into the Mafia by local author Francesco Scanella, and a conspiracy theory on whether Jane Austen was the true author of her books, by Nicholas Ennos from West Molesey.
Nicholas' talk put the cat among the pigeons, particularly among members of the Jane Austen Society, and its chairman Elizabeth Proudman will be speaking at Molesey Library as part of this year's line up. Author evenings booked so far are:

• February 24th: Robert Irvine, an allotment murder mystery
• April 28th: Elizabeth Proudman on the real Jane Austen
• June 23rd: TBC
• September 29th: Vanora Bennett, Russian novels
• November 24th: TBC

It was felt that a microphone and PA system would be a wise investment, to ensure attendees at guest author evenings are able to hear (particularly at the back). John has costed options ranging from £140 to £220. A storage space was identified at the meeting for the kit and speakers.
The Friends discussed arrangements for the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday January 27th, 7pm. Pauline will give a report on the year just gone and the committee will be appointed for the year ahead. It is hoped that the formal business can be concluded quite quickly so that we can hear from the guest speaker, who this year will be Dominic Raab, MP for Esher & Walton. Dominic has written three books to date (The Assault on Liberty, After the Coalition and Britannia Unchained) on the state of the UK, its relations with the EU and his thoughts for the future - and will speak about how he combines his duties as an MP with being an author.
Liz Cooper, Friends' treasurer, confirmed the bank balance is currently healthy and stands at £1,523 with no significant spends to report.
Other matters: The Friday coffee mornings continue to be popular and profitable but it would be a great help if volunteers can be found to assist with baking cakes. The Friends are prepared to pay somebody to supply two cakes per week - if you are interested please leave your name at the library.
The date of next meeting will be Tuesday March 3rd, 2015.

New author events at Molesey Library: Living with the Mafia!

Our Author Events at Molesey Library go from strength to strength and tickets are now on sale for the next two evenings in the current programme.

FRANCESCO SCANNELLA SICILIAN SHADOWS – LIVING WITH THE MAFIA

On Tuesday October 28th 2014, Walton-based author Francesco Scannella will talk about his book ‘Sicilian Shadows’ and his childhood living with the Mafia.
Francesco was born in England of Sicilian parents but, when he was seven, his father decided that he had been a foreigner long enough and he was uprooted from his suburban London home and sent, like a lamb to the slaughter, to the heartland of the Cosa Nostra.
In the Sicilian village of Mussomeli, Francesco had to learn to live in a world where violence, lying and cheating were admirable and where you judged people less by their own virtues than by the power of their connections. ‘Siciiian Shadows’, Francesco’s first published book, is an open and at times brutal account of an extraordinary period in his young life.

PENNY VINCENZI A CONVERSATION

On a gentler note, we are looking forward to welcoming best-selling author and former Molesey resident, Penny Vincenzi, to talk to us on Tuesday November 25th 2014.
Penny has recently published a new book ‘A Perfect Heritage’, which tells the story of a legendary cosmetic company and the people who work within it. Founded in 1953, the House of Farrell has fallen on difficult times, and the family who still have control of it have been forced to look for help from an outside source. The power struggles between the matriarch Athina Farrell, still its
figurehead, and the hyper-cool and high-powered Bianca Bailey, moved in by the money men to save the company, is fought out against the background of the glamorous cosmetics industry.
Penny, described as ‘the doyenne of the modern blockbuster’ is one of the UK’s best-loved and most popular authors. Since her first novel, ‘Old Sins’, was published in 1989, she has written fifteen best-selling novels.
Both events will start at 7.30 pm. Tickets for each evening cost £5 - which includes a glass of wine or soft drink – and can be purchased at Molesey Library. Alternatively, you can send a cheque (made payable to Friends of Molesey Library) with a stamped addressed envelope, to Author Event, Molesey Library, The Forum, Walton Road, West Molesey KT8 2HZ.

Molesey Library gets an inspiring talk from author Jessica Hepburn

The audience at the latest Author Event at Molesey Library heard Jessica Hepburn give a very inspiring talk divided into what she described as ‘two acts’.

In the first, Jessica told us about her challenging role as Executive Director of the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, a position she has held for nine years and where she is currently overseeing a very ambitious £20 million redevelopment plan which should be completed next year.

In the second ‘act’, Jessica turned to her best-selling book “The Pursuit of Motherhood’, published earlier this year, which relates her long and so far unsuccessful struggle to have a baby. Her account of years of IVF treatment, multiple miscarriages and a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy is a very personal one and Jessica told us how writing the book had marked a shift from her earlier position of secrecy and shame to one of being totally open about her infertility problem.

The reaction to the book has made Jessica aware how many people are affected by infertility and over the past few months she has appeared on TV and radio and in the press, and has started writing a widely-read blog, to open up discussion of the issue. She felt that she could now take some positives from her own experience, including becoming herself again after years of secrecy and discovering a love of writing – she is currently embarked on a second book, due out next year, which will explore motherhood and childlessness.

She summed up her philosophy as being “If you can’t change the outcome, change your attitude to the outcome’.

Jessica concluded by telling us about the latest challenge she has set herself – swimming the English Channel! She hopes to attempt the crossing next year and, given her enthusiasm and get-up-and-go attitude, you can surely put money on her achieving it!

Report by Carol Parker

Molesey Library is packed out for Love Your Library Day

Molesey Library was the place to be on Saturday September 13th for the second annual Love Your Library Day. Coffee and cake was served in the morning and visitors had a chance to find out about activities the library offers, from rhyme time sessions for children to computer classes for adults.

In the afternoon the building was ready to burst as scores of children and their parents all descended for the summer reading challenge awards ceremony. West Molesey county councillor Ernest Mallett and the Worshipful Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Barry Fairbank, presented a certificate and a medal to each child and many also went away with a sticker and a balloon.

Friends of Molesey Library chairman, Pauline Morozgalska, said: "It was a very special day for the children and their parents and a great way to celebrate their reading achievements during the Summer. We were a bit taken aback by the numbers – about 110 children plus their parents. This was about twice the number who attended last year. However, once the medal presentation started everything went smoothly and I thought the atmosphere was very positive and parents appreciated the efforts made on behalf of the children."

Visitors had a chance to enjoy the garden, which has recently had new benches installed paid for by Mr Mallett from his county councillor budget and topped up with money from the Friends.

One thing the day highlighted was that Molesey Library would benefit from more space, particularly in the children's library area and the Friends are looking into the possibility of extending the building. We will update on progress on this website.

 

 

Love Your Library Day is this Saturday

Come along and join us for our 2nd Day. A day when our whole community can celebrate our library. You will find a warm welcome during the morning at a Coffee Morning. You may surprised at the number of activities that take place in library, get some information about our programme of Author Events and you may like to join the Friends.

The Friends and staff are thrilled that so many children in Molesey have taken part in the challenge that a special presentation ceremony has been arranged during the afternoon. We are delighted that the Mayor and Mayoress of Elmbridge and Mr. Ernest Mallet, representing Surrey Council, who will present the children who have completed the Summer Reading Challenge with medals and certificates.

 Love Your Library Times as follows

10.00 – 12.00 – Coffee Morning

2.30 – 4.00 – Presentation Ceremony for children who have completed the Magical Maze Summer Reading Challenge

We look forward to seeing you