Encounter fabulous culture festival’s last week

Join us for an evening with the mysterious Geoff Holder in Bellshill Cultural Centre on Thursday 25th October at 7pm. Geoff is the author of 16 non-fiction books on the strange and the supernatural and the Gothic and the gruesome, with titles such as ‘The Guide to Mysterious Loch Ness’ and ‘Haunted Aberdeen’. Other specialities include nineteenth-century murders, ‘bloody’ histories, and poltergeists. For his book ‘Scottish Bodysnatchers: A Gazetteer’ he visited hundreds of graveyards around Scotland, something he describes as his ‘dream job’. Entrance is free and booking is available on 01698 346770.

Thursday 25th October will also see Airdrie Library host an exclusive musical event with the Airdrie Songwriters Club. This live event will see Club members showcase material both old and new, and will give audiences a sneak peek of what to expect from their debut album due out later in the year.

The Club has gone from strength to strength over the past two years, and we are delighted to welcome them back to the Encounters Festival in 2012.

Book your places early on 01236 758070 to avoid disappointment – this event will sell out!

Refreshments will also be served. Event begins at 7.30 pm.

Motherwell Library will close the Festival with a treat for fans of literary fiction.

Award winning novelist Alice Thompson will visit Motherwell Library on Monday 29th October. Alice is the author of ‘Justine’, ‘The Falconer’ and ‘The Existential Detective’. Her novel ‘Pandora’s Box’ was shortlisted for the Stakis Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year. She is also the former keyboard player with post-punk eighties band The Woodentops. Join us at this event where Alice will be in conversation with award-winning blogger Lizzy Siddal. Entrance is free and booking is available on Motherwell Library 01698 332626.

Wishaw Library will be holding a sale from Thursday 25th October until Saturday 27th October, inclusive. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to pick up some winter reading at bargain prices.

Encounters would not be complete without our action-packed Focus on Families Days and this year’s events promise to even bigger and better than ever before. For the first time ever, all six main town centre libraries (Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Motherwell and Wishaw) will be hosting their Focus On Families events on the same day – Saturday 27th October. This means that there will be six times the fun for families throughout North Lanarkshire on the weekend before Halloween!

We have loads of brilliant events, sessions, activities and games lined up throughout our main libraries on Saturday 27th October. Highlights in Airdrie include ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ film and workshop and storytelling with the awesome Macastory, whilst Bellshill Cultural Centre will also host a screening of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ together with a Halloween puppet & storytelling workshop with the brilliant Flotsam & Jetsam.

Coatbridge Library will be having a ‘Grimm’ storytelling session with Macastory, and audiences at Cumbernauld Library will be treated to the interactive and engaging stories of Maira Cairnie. Both of these libraries will likewise also host our amazing ‘Photo Focus On Families’ sessions, whereby families can have a fun photo taken using our splendid selection of costumes and props.

Motherwell and Wishaw libraries will offer audiences a Wee Encounter with ‘The World of Small’, an artistic craft session for all that celebrates the mysterious world of the miniature! Both venues will also welcome back the amazing (and highly amusing) storyteller Gerry Durkin, who will no doubt ensure our Halloween celebrations go with a bump in the night!

These are just some of the event highlights on offer throughout our main Libraries on Saturday 27th October. For more detailed information on what’s on, why not contact your local library?

Our brilliant Focus On Families Days are guaranteed to have loads of fun for the whole family – see you there!

For a full copy of the Encounters brochure, visit your local library, phone 01236 856444 or visit North Lanarkshire Council website at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/encounters. Encounters is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, The Open University, Motherwell College and Motherwell Football Club are also sponsoring events.