THE Folklore Library and Archive is presenting a packed programme of free events in Crediton Library all through the winter as part of the Warm Spaces initiative.

Funded by the National Grid and administered by the charity Local Giving, “The Folklore Library and Archive Warm Winter” will see a diverse range of speakers, presenters and other events in Crediton Library on Friday evenings between 7pm and 9pm.

Musicians, storytellers, historians, film directors and many others will be providing the entertainment, with the grant funding allowing everyone to attend without needing to pay for a ticket.

The full programme will be published just before Christmas and will be available online, or in printed form from the library.

Highlights already booked include the renowned Dartmoor tour guide “Dartmoor’s Daughter” speaking on the subject of "Dartmoor Women Through the Ages", and evening with animator and film director Ashley Thorpe whose work includes animations for the recent BBC series "Uncanny’ and the film ‘Borley Rectory", starring Reece Shearsmith and ecologist and storyteller Lisa Schneidau.

Two local events in December will be kicking the main programme off.

Today, Friday, December 15 at 7pm, everyone is invited to a "Bring and Share Christmas Memories" social evening. Refreshments and Christmas food will be provided, with the chance to sit socially round the table and chat about your memories of Christmas-times past. Take along your old photographs, interesting Christmas objects and stories.

On Friday, December 29 there will be a screening of a number of old and obscure films and documentaries with a Devon flavour, including a documentary on Crediton Parish Church and historic footage of Devon landscapes. Again, this will be from 7pm to 9pm.

Mark Norman, Curator of The Folklore Library and Archive, said: “We are massively grateful to the National Grid and Local Giving for this opportunity to put on so many free events in Crediton this winter, especially as so many of our speakers would normally charge for their events.

"By allowing us to open Crediton Library on Friday evenings through the winter, this grant is helping us to do our bit towards combating fuel poverty in the area. We hope that lots of people will take advantage of the opportunity to join us.”

For more information, please contact The Folklore Library and Archive by email at: [email protected] or pop into Crediton Library.