What we do
The main purpose and objective of the Friends of Innerpeffray Library – is to support the continuation of Innerpeffray Library and in doing so preserve an important part of Scotland’s Heritage. The Friends were founded in 1993 with the aim of generating funds to be used for the preservation of the fabric of the Library and the care and restoration of the books themselves. The Friends also offer support in many practical ways at Library events and work closely with the Keeper of Books and the Governors for the greater good of Innerpeffray Library.
Almost all of the money raised by the Friends is donated directly to the Innerpeffray Mortification, the charity that runs the Library. Subscriptions have always formed the core of this donation while events, talks and lectures raise awareness of the Library as well as vital funds.
Friends of Innerpeffray Library is a registered charity, Scottish Charity No: SC 023545
Email: Friends@innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
Latest News
Dear Friends
2024 seems to have flown past and it hardly seems possible that the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ is upon us.
The remaining months of the year will be busy at Innerpeffray and I encourage you all to support the first of our autumn events the ‘Way with Words’ Festival; full details of which may be found on the back page of ‘Footnotes’.
After the Festival we are delighted that on Saturday 28th September at 2pm acclaimed cookery author Sue Lawrence will return to Innerpeffray to talk about the recipes she has incorporated into her newest book, inspired by Mrs MacIver’s Cookery and Pastry (1789) in the Innerpeffray collection.
This very special event will be held in the Schoolroom where Sue will talk about her experience as a winner of MasterChef and how she finds inspiration for her cookery books. She also reveal her love of Scottish history as manifested in her series of historical novels, the latest of which, ‘Lady’s Rock’, has been published recently.
‘Sue Lawrence has been a leading force in spreading the joy of Scottish food. She’s one of life’s true enthusiasts, a natural teacher who conveys her deep learning with modest charm, and a prolific author. She has 20 cookbooks under her belt, and each one is a joy — something much needed these days……
There are many Scottish classics in this volume, understandably enough. These gratifyingly include Selkirk Bannock; Black Bun; Treacle Scones; Potato Scones; the wonderfully named Fatty Cutties; ditto Guggy Cake, also known as Huffsie or Doofie; Cloutie Dumpling; Border Tart; Ecclefechan Tart; and Petticoat Tails. But Sue Lawrence is no believer in museum-piece cookery, and this book cheerfully encompasses baking from all over the world, as found in bakeries and homes across Scotland.’
This review of New Scottish Baking by Nigella Lawson will hopefully whet your appetite for the event where we will sample the Innerpeffray and Mrs MacIver inspired ‘Florentine Curd Tarts’ accompanied by a genteel cup of tea.
The New Scottish Baking book and Lady’s Rock will be on sale at a special discounted price, purchasers can then visit the Library where Sue will sign them. Tickets available now.
figuralchor Köln, A choral event at Fowlis Wester Church
Tuesday, 15th October at 7.30pm, Fowlis Wester Church, Tickets £15.00
A joint event between Friends of Innerpeffray Library & Mid Strathearn Churches. Last year I was asked by Elizabeth Schussel, daughter of Hannah Leckie one of our long-standing members, if her Choir, which is based in Köln could give a concert in the Chapel at Innerpeffray when they were on tour in Scotland. As the chosen date was the evening of 15th October I felt that the warmer surroundings of Fowlis Wester Church would be a better option. Funds raised through the concert will be shared equally between Mid Strathearn Churches and FOIL (Friends of Innerpeffray Library).
The figuralchor Köln was founded in 1986 by its conductor, Richard Mailänder. At present it consists of roughly 50 members. The choir’s repertoire is wide, ranging from Renaissance to contemporary, mainly sacred music. It has performed works such as Bach’s B minor mass as well as various world premieres. It has recorded CDs of Easter and Advent music and of English choral music. So far the figuralchor has been on concert tours in England, France, Italy, Poland, Austria and China. This is the choir’s first concert tour in Scotland.
The conductor Richard Mailänder was born in 1957 in Neunkirchen, Germany. He studied church music, musicology and history in Cologne. In 1987 he was appointed head of church music at the Archdiocese of Cologne. He was one of the main editors of the new edition of the Roman Catholic hymn book for German speaking countries and is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on church music, in particular on the history of hymns and vocal work with choirs. He has been a lecturer at the Cologne Conservatory of Music since 2000. He was awarded an honorary professorship by the Cologne Conservatory in 2013. Tickets available here.
Ted Powell Memorial Lecture
Wednesday, 23rd October at 7.00pm, The Schoolroom. Innerpeffray. Tickets £10.00 (FOIL members free)
On 23rd October we hold the Ted Powell Memorial Lecture – this year we are delighted to have more Innerpeffray research unveiled as Isla Macfarlane will be speaking about her PhD on Innerpeffray visitors.
In the mid-19th century, the nearby town of Crieff became a popular tourist destination, bringing an influx of visitors to the area. In the 1860s, the Keeper at Innerpeffray began keeping a record of those who came to visit and use the library, but who did not borrow books. A huge range of visitors is represented in this record, which has been kept ever since – local residents and folk from further afield.
Some well-known names are dotted among the lists of visitors: J.M. Barrie, George Bernard Shaw, Beatrix Potter’s parents to name a few. To read more about current research being done into the individuals recorded in the Visitors’ Books, you can read Isla’s ‘Visitor Vignettes’ posts in the Library blog.
Best wishes
Joan
Joan Taylor, Convenor
Also coming soon—save the dates!
Friends Tour with the Keeper—Thu 17th October at 2pm
In March we held two private tours for Friends to see the exhibition with the Keeper, Lara Haggerty. These events were very popular, and we’ve asked Lara run another tour in October for those who would like to have a closer look at this year’s exhibition. The event is free of charge for FOIL members and guest tickets can be purchased at £10 each, booking is essential.
Festive Fayre—Fri and Sat 8th and 9th November 10am—4pm
We’ll have a stall at the Innerpeffray Festive Fayre again this year with a Raffle, homemade preserves, chutneys and more. We hope you’ll come along and support this event if you can.
Carols for Innerpeffray—Sat 30th Nov (the the Library) Sun 1st Dec (in the Chapel
There will be a Scottish theme to the Carols in the Library which takes place on St Andrews day this year, and the traditional Carols in the Chapel will take place on the Sunday. Tickets available very soon.
Tickets, priced £15.00 including refreshments, will be available online through the Library website soon.
We also help with other events at Innerpeffray – you can see the whole programme on the What’s On page.
Best wishes from the Friends Committee,
How You can Help – Become a Friend
For a modest annual subscription you may join the company of like-minded people who are concerned for the on-going welfare of the Library. You will benefit from complimentary entry to the Library at any time during opening hours, and FOIL members may also attend the Ted Powell lecture in October without cost.
Subscription costs: Individual £25; Joint £40; Family £50 (Family = 2 adults and all children in the family under the age of 16); Life £250; Joint Life £400
If you wish to become a member of FOIL, you can contact our Membership Secretary, Iain Gilmour, by emailing friends@innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk. You can also pay or renew your subscription via the online Shop.
The Committee
The current members of the Honorary Committee are:
| Officers: | Committee Members: |
| Convenor: Joan Taylor | Charles Crookshank |
| Hon Secretary: Kirsty Macdonald | Iain Gilmour |
| Hon. Treasurer: Shona McLaren | Pamela Haggart |
| Barbara McGarva | |
| John Mauchline |
The 2023 Annual General Meeting was held on 12th April and the Minutes can be downloaded below.
Contact FOIL
Send us an email, addressed to friends@innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk, or send us a message using a contact form by clicking here.