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December News and Events
As the festive season draws near, what better time to make a visit to the library and select your books for a cosy night in.

Hopefully, the in-laws and children will just fade away into the background...

This edition of the eNewsletter will highlight some of this month's most promising reads as well as giving you a run-down on what’s happening in our libraries this Christmas.
Winter Highlights
The Beast Of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Children's Fiction

Fly into a fiery and fantastical future with No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams, in an epic adventure of myth and legend, good and evil, and one small boy who must save the world… Illustrated by the artistic genius Tony Ross! Need we say anymore?!

Place your reservation here
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
Enjoying the series on TV? Now read the book!

The girl is Lyra Belacqua, an orphan who lives in a place like, and yet unlike, Oxford in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Yet for Lyra, her world is about climbing the rooftops of the Oxford colleges with her friend Roger, enthralling the neighbourhood children with her tales and keeping out of the way of the scholars of Jordan College.

Place your reservation here
Grandmothers by Sally Vickers
A dult fiction

A tender and delicate novel which intertwines the stories of a trio of finely drawn pensioners to create a rounded picture of cross-generational bonds and relationships. Written with Vickers’ customary generosity of spirit and nuanced compassion, this is a beautiful elegy for the complexities of old age. 

Place your reservation here
A minute to Midnight by David Baldacci
Adult fiction

This is the next gripping installment in Special Agent Atlee Pine's search for the truth.

Atlee Pine has spent most of her life trying to find out what happened that fateful night in Andersonville, Georgia. Her six-year-old twin sister, Mercy, was taken and Atlee was left for dead while their parents were apparently partying downstairs. One person who continues to haunt her is notorious serial killer Daniel James Tor, locked away in Colorado maximum security prison. Does he really know what happened to Mercy?

Place your reservation here
Between the Stops by Sandi Toksvig
Adult non-fiction

This is Sandi Toksvig's autobiography - part memoir, part diary, part travelogue and history all from the top of a double-decker bus. It's both charming and hilarious in equal measure.

Place your reservation here
A Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner
Adult non-fiction
From Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation to Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Lady Anne Glenconner is a unique witness to royal history, as well as an extraordinary survivor of a generation of aristocratic women trapped without inheritance and burdened with social expectations. In this book, she exposes what life was like in her gilded cage, revealing the role of her great friendship with Princess Margaret, and the freedom she can now finally enjoy in later life.

Place your reservation here
Stick Man Visits the Libraries

Join Julia Donaldson's beloved character for an enchanting story and rhyme time session at one of our libraries below. This is a free, drop-in event.

Windsor Library:
Monday 16 December 10.00-10.30am

Ascot Library:
Tuesday 17 December 10.30-11.00 am

Sunninghill Library:
Tuesday 17 December 2.00-2.30pm

Maidenhead Library:
Thursday 19 December 10.00-10.30am

Please check the website for further details.
eBooks and Audio Books
Did you know that your local RBWM library has thousands of eBooks and audio books that you can instantly borrow, download and read with just a few clicks.

From latest releases to classics, children to adults, as well as award winning novels, there is something for everyone.

To access this diverse range of materials, you only need a library card obtainable FREE from any RBWM library.

Download the Libby app from your appstore, onto any Windows 10 IOS or android device and let your fingers do the clicking…

If you need any help please contact us via email.
Library Events
Events at Windsor Library:

The Living Advent Calendar
Sunday 8th December, 6.15pm

There will be a 15 minute (secret) performance at Windsor Library, with nibbles and drinks to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

This is a free, drop-in event.

Fraud Surgery
Wednesday 4 December, 11.30am-12.30pm

Join PCSO David Bullock for an informative session on fraud prevention.

Christmas Story Time
Fridays at 10.00-11.00am
6th December, 13th December, 20th December

Come along for stories and craft activities. We'll use what we make to decorate our library Christmas tree!

This is a free, drop in event.

Knit and Natter
Tuesdays, 2.00-3.00pm

This brand new group is perfect for anybody who enjoys knitting, a cup of tea and a good old chinwag with other like-minded people.

Feel free to drop-in at the appointed time.

Events at Maidenhead Library:

Lantern Making with Norden Farm
Saturday 7th December, 10.00am-2.00pm

Join us at Maidenhead library to make your very own lantern for the Norden Farm Lantern Parade. Please note the parade starts at 4.30pm.

This is a free, drop-in event. Suitable for ages 3-8.

Story Time: The Bear
Saturday 7 December, 11.00am

Come and listen to The Bear by Raymond Briggs, as performed by Norden Farm's specialist storytellers. Just turn up at the library and enjoy!

The wonderful book is being adapted for the stage at Norden Farm this Christmas.

This is a free, drop-in event. Suitable for ages 3-8.

Christmas Crafts
Thursday 12 December, 10.30-11.30am

Stay on after our regular Thursday morning rhyme time for Christmas crafts. We'll use what we make to decorate our library Christmas tree. Just turn up and take part!

This is a free, drop-in event. Suitable for ages 3-5.

Events at Old Windsor Library:
PCSOs, Pancakes, Oh my
Friday 6 December, 2.00-6.00pm

PCSO Les Bradfield will be making pancakes and sharing burglary and crime prevention advice at Old Windsor Library . Mince pies, teas and coffees will also be available.

This is a free, drop-in event. Suitable for all ages.
 
Zoo Lab Christmas Special at Windsor Library
Saturday 21 December, 2.00pm

This is a day in the library you will not want to miss! Join the Zoolab team for a special Christmas story, featuring Zola the kind-hearted Christmas Elf. And of course, there will be an abundance of animals and creepy crawlies to meet too!

This is a great animal handling session for all the family to get involved with.

£3.00 per person, booking essential!

Please check the website for further details.
 
Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
December Activities at the Museum

Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar
Thursday 12 December, 6.15pm
 
 Join us at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum as we open the twelfth window of the Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar. All will be revealed on the night at 6.15pm.

Everyone is welcome to join this free event.

Visit our website for more information.
Marvel of the Month
Royal Gifts

December’s Marvel of the month features two objects with a local Christmas story. In 1899, the Biles family were invited to Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria for Christmas tea. The tea was held for the families of Windsor men fighting in the Boer War in South Africa.

During this Christmas tea, an elderly Queen Victoria presented gifts to all the young children. Lilly and Mabel Biles were given a toy goat and cart, however Mabel’s interest was in a particular bauble hanging on the Royal Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall. Queen Victoria commanded one of her servants to bring it down for Mabel. Come see these objects on display in the museum during the Christmas period. View more of our collection online at online.
Can you help?

The Local Studies team are trying to trace any living relatives of Private Kenneth Ivor Morgan, a Second World War soldier from Lawn Close, Datchet. His father, Thomas H. Morgan continued to live at the same address until approximately 1974. A village in the Netherlands was liberated by this brave local man and his regiment - 3rd Battalion Monmouthshires - during the Second World War. A resident in the Netherlands is in possession of his medals and would like to see him commemorated officially. If you can help, please email local studies.
Tell us what you think

The Museum would like to hear your views.

Please spare a few minutes to complete this survey which will help the museum team offer the best service for our residents.

Thank you in advance for your time.
Library and Resident Services | Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead | 01628 796969 | maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk | https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/libraries