word play

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The Penzance Ladies' Book Club

New Original Works

The Penzance Ladies' Book Club

Front Row L to R - Claire Bradley, Mary Cahill, Sheila Bradley, Liz Woods, Annabelle Read, Theresa Gilder

Back Row L to R - Anita Ballin, Jenny Scanlan, Llyn Evans, Ann Alexander, Roger Bristow (book designer)

Yvonne McFarlane (partly obscured), Jenny Hamlett, Jenni Pozzi, Antonia Batchelor, Janet Bennette

Sold in aid of the Morrab Library and now SOLD OUT

Available by post £UK: £8.29, Eurp: £8.99, World: £9.69 all inc p&p,

Word Play

A very successful book was launched at the Library on Saturday 22 July 2006 and copies were snapped up by members and friends who came to buy the 80 page anthology which was being sold in aid of the Library. The members of the Penzance Ladies' Book Club had created a book of short stories, poetry and more - with a strong West Penwith flavour.

The contributors include professional writers, publishers, teachers, librarians and historians - and a sculptor, all of whom live and work locally. The PLBC can trace its roots back to the 1770s, when a number of local gentlewomen formed a subscription library called the Penzance Ladies Pamphlet or Book Club. These sparky women were omnivorous readers, and sent for books from London which trundled their way to Penzance by stagecoach and donkey. There is a short history of the original club in Word Play - and a lively account of the various ( sometimes eccentric) librarians of the Morrab Library. The new PLBC was formed three years ago, after four members stumbled across the archives of the original club in the Morrab Library. It meets once a month and shares all kinds of literature on every imaginable topic. Word Play, was its first anthology, and is the original work of the members, and includes evocative and entertaining poetry, terrific short stories, and an account of the various literary associations of Penzance. The book makes an unusual and very enjoyable present and is a great read for anyone who either knows or visits West Penwith, or for those of us lucky enough to live and work here. All profits went to the Morrab Library so we are immensely grateful for the efforts of everyone concerned.