Wednesday 14th September: 7pm at the PPL.
FREE for PPL members and for non-members.

The popular author will be discussing her latest novel: ‘The Highland Hens’ and there will be the chance to purchase signed copies.

This event takes place during Heritage Open Days.

Saturday 13th August: 12pm at the library (following the coffee morning).
Free for PPL Members, £2.50 for non-members.

The medieval garden was an essential strand in the fabric of everyday life in the middle ages. From the labourer's humble plot for growing vegetables and herbs to the grand, ornate and romantic gardens of the nobility, the garden was seen as the source of health, nourishmnet, spiritual refreshment and beauty.

Join Elaine Henderson as she explores the origins of the English gardens we know and love today.

Thursday 14th July: 7.00pm at the PPL
Free for PPL Members. £2.50 for non-members

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate the writing career of Babs Horton (above) and welcome her as a new Patron of the PPL. There will be the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Winter Swallows (2020) and Holy Mackerel (2021) during the evening.

Thursday 16th June: 7.00pm at the PPL
FREE for PPL members. £2.50 for non-members

This talk by Dr Anna-Lujz Gilbert will explore what exactly a ‘public’, ‘town’, or other community library was in early modern England, the libraries established here in Devon, and what they tell us about the people who used and gifted books hundreds of years ago.

Wednesday 4th May: 7pm at the PPL
FREE for PPL members. £2.50 for non-members

Join University of Plymouth Art History graduate Louis Dyson as he discusses his research into the six custodians of the Cottonian Collection of oils, works on paper, sculpture and books which were collected primarily during the mid-late 18th century.

He was awarded the 2021 Maureen Attrill Bursary and his research includes Charles Rogers (1711-1784) who collected the bulk of the collection, and the last custodian, William Cotton III of Ivybridge (1794-1863). The Cottonian Collection was donated to the Plymouth Proprietary Library in the 1850s before being transferred to the then Plymouth City Museum, now known as The Box.

We look forward to seeing you at the talk!

Despite the lockdown many thanks to those who have given their time to tending to the Library Gardens they are looking really good at the moment.

As you may be aware thanks to the generosity of some of our Members we were able to purchase a much needed double sided bookcase on wheels that will give us extra book display space.

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF THE OWNERS OF BUCKLAND ABBEY AND SALTRAM HOUSE

What do the Mary Rose, Francis Drake, Bottomless Bagg and the earl of Morley have in common – not to mention Jane Austen? They were all linked in some way with Buckland Abbey or Saltram House!

Ranging across the reigns of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and the early Stuart kings, this illustrated talk looks at the sensational stories behind the extraordinary owners of these two great houses.

A talk by Elaine Henderson at the PPL on Saturday 18 May, 2.00 -3.00pm. FREE no need to book, refreshments available

Agatha Christie’s most famous play The Mousetrap is touring to both the Northcott Theatre, in Exeter and the Princess Theatre in Torquay this year. The Mousetrap is the longest-running show of any kind in the history of the British theatre and has played continually in the West End for 66 years.

A wintry country-house setting, with a disparate group of people snowed in and cut off – what could be more Agatha Christie? One by one they each reveal their shady pasts – but who is the murderer? Can you guess?

Starring Gwyneth Strong, the play is at Exeter from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 May
Evenings at 7.30pm and Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm
Full details on the leaflets at the library or contact Northcott Theatre:
Box Office 01392 726363 or online at www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

The cleverest murder mystery of the British Theatre – The Telegraph
A truly entertaining classic thriller – The Sunday Times
Deservedly a classic among murder thrillers – The Observer

Just some of the recent happenings at ThePPL as reported by the Members themselves

Peter Smerdon - Tuesday 4th April

Jane Corry (author) led a group session about Twitter and it's uses in marketing. Over a dozen of us had a great time learning how to Tweet proving that this is not just something for the youngsters!!
Make a note to get Jane's new book Blood Sisters: The next addictive thriller from the bestselling author of My Husband's Wife (published 29th June)
THREE LITTLE GIRLS SET OFF TO SCHOOL ONE SUNNY MORNING. WITHIN AN HOUR, ONE OF THEM IS DEAD.
'So many twists and turns, I just couldn't put it down! Highly recommended *****' Goodreads reviewer