Thanks to the dedication of its librarians and the volunteers who run its trust, the Upper Norwood Library continues to operate, despite Croydon Council slashing its share of funding and thus ending a century’s worth of tradition and co-operation with neighbouring borough Lambeth.

And over the next few weeks, the library has organised a broad range of activities and talks for all ages, including a couple of sessions for young children during the upcoming school half-term, and providing the venue for the latest in a series of talks for the Norwood Society.

Tue Feb 18: 10.30am – 12.30pm: Chinese New Year event
Fiona will be talking about the Chinese New Year celebrations and teaching the children how to make Chinese lanterns. Suitable for children aged 5-10 years old.
Charge: £3 each. Tickets must be booked prior to the event at the enquiry desk in the library.

Thu Feb 20: 3.30pm to 4pm: Welsh mythical stories
Fiona will tell Welsh stories and bring in Welsh cakes to enjoy.
Age: Children aged 4-plus
Charge: Free, but donations welcome.

Zephyrus wooing Flora, a painting typical of much of Henrietta Rae’s work, which will be discussed at the next Norwood Society talk

Thu Feb 20: 7.30pm: Norwood Society talk
A talk on Victorian artists, Henrietta Rae and Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale.
Age: All ages
Charge: Free, but donations for refreshments welcome.

Sat Feb 22: 10am – 1pm: Warm and Well 
Drop-in chat and reminiscence, with a special rhyme-time for all generations at 10.30 – 11am.
Age: from three months to 99 years
Charge: Free, including a free goodie bag for those of 65 years.

Sat Mar 1: 2pm-4pm: Fairtrade event
Including Fairtrade products for sale; a banana story-time from Fiona at 2.30-3pm; a Fairtrade banana recipe competition where you are invited to bring in your banana creations to be judged by a Colombian banana producer, who will also be available for questions from 3.30pm.
Age: All ages
Charge: Free, but donations for story-time welcome.

Mon Mar 3: 10am-12pm: Patchwork and quilting workshop
Fiona will be teaching patchworking and quilting. Work will be done by hand, but if you have a PAT-tested sewing machine you may bring this along. Fiona’s sewing machine may be used on occasion, when required.
Age: Adults
Charge: Special introductory price of £2 per session for first three months and £3 per session thereafter.

Sat Mar 15: 2.30pm: Book Club
New reading group in which a title will be selected by attendees each month, covering all genres and categories.
Age: Adults
Charge: Free, but donations for refreshments required.

Thu Mar 20: 7.30pm-9.30pm: Norwood Society talk
Talk on West Norwood Cemetery.
Age: All ages
Charge: Free, but donations for refreshments welcome.

Coming to Croydon

• Babylon at the Spread Eagle Theatre, Feb 4-6
• Steve Knightly at Stanley Halls: Feb 5
• Purley Swimathon: Feb 8 and 13
• Mark Steel at Ashcroft Theatre, Feb 12
• Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Feb 20
• Mr Pooter comes to Croydon, Feb 20-22
• Stop the Incinerator fund-raiser, Feb 24
• Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society, Mar 3
• Norwood Society talk, Upper Norwood Library, Mar 20
• Croydon Half-marathon, Mar 30

• If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or local event, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com