Dorset Libraries | the writer is a lonely hunter

Celebrating Libraries Week

by gailaldwin

Libraries Week is an annual event which takes place during the second week of October. This year it runs from 5–10 October 2020 and aims to celebrate all that UK libraries have to offer. And it’s not just public libraries that participate but school libraries, workplace libraries and university libraries.

Titles available for loan through Dorset Libraries

In Dorset, our libraries have become community hubs where so much more is on offer than the loan of books, audiobooks and DVDs. Babies and young children enjoy songs and rhymes, school children join fun learning activities, residents can find out more about managing health and there’s access to wifi and games. Help is available at the library to find out about employment opportunities, and support to start a new hobby or set up a business. With so much going on, libraries are well worth celebrating.

Read the rest of this entry »

authors blogs children's literature Dorset events Libraries novel poetry publication Reading Recommendations visits workshops writing

6 Comments »

Weaving in art

by gailaldwin

Weaving is shown in works of art over the centuries. From a variety of countries, we see both men and women producing fabric by interlacing warp and weft threads through the use of a frame or handloom. Due to my interest in the producton of paisley pattern, I’ve had fun identifying paintings to appear on this post. I hope you enjoy them.

The_Weaver

Weaver near an open window by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Niegelssohn_Leinenweber

Der Leinenweber by Johann August Ernest Niegelssohn (1757-1833)

American_Indians_-_first_families_of_the_Southwest_(1920)_(14589734777)

American Indians: first families of the Southwest by John Frederick Huckel (1836-1936)

Weavers,_Tomb_of_Khnumhotep_MET_DT204509

Weavers, Tomb of Khnumhotep, Egyptian Art

De_mulieribus_claris_weaver

De Mulieribus Claris weaver (fifteenth century)

Walter_Gay_-_The_Weaver

The Weaver by Walter Gay (1856-1937)

Muslim-shawl-makers-kashmir1867

Muslim shawl makers in Kashmir by William Simpson (1867)

This final image is the one that interests me most, given my collection of short fiction is titled Paisley Shirt, which draws inspiration from the pattern that became popular with Europeans in Victorian times. Shawls were hand-made from the fine wool of Himalayan mountain goats which were brought into India from Tibet and Ladak.

If you would like to read Paisley Shirt, the collection is now available from the Book Depository or you can purchase it from the following shops: Gullivers in Wimborne, The Book Shop in Bridport, Serendip in Lyme Regis, The Swanage Bookshop, and Waterstones Dorchester. It is also available for loan through Dorset Libraries/Libraries West.

authors Reading short stories writing

2 Comments »