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11th May 2009
ST DEINIOL’S LIBRARY AND GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY CREATE NEW CENTRE
A PRESTIGIOUS new academic partnership between Glyndwr University and St Deiniol’s Library in North Wales is set to be officially unveiled.
GlyndwrUniversity, Wales’ newest university, and St Deiniol’s Library, Wales’ leading, independent research library, have formed a joint Centre for Cultural and Theological Studies.
The new Centre will enable Glyndwr University to offer academic programmes in theology for the first time and allow students and staff access to the St Deiniol’s unique collection and resources.
The Centre will stimulate research in History, English and Cultural Studies and enable many of St Deiniol’s own popular, short courses to be run in conjunction with Glyndwr University.
St Deiniol’s has a proven track record as a centre for research and creativity. It is the only Prime Ministerial library in the UK and the finest residential library, with a collection of more than 250,000 works specialising in theology and Victorian Studies; it attracts writers, academics and students from around the world, as well as more than 2,000 clergy each year.
GlyndwrUniversity will benefit from the library’s strong links with leading academics in Religious Education in Wales through its association with St Mary’s Centre – the national centre supporting religious education in Wales based at St Deiniol’s Library.
The Revd Canon Professor Leslie Francis, Honorary Director of the St Mary’s Centre, and Rev Peter Francis, Warden of St Deiniol’s have been appointed Visiting Professors of Glyndwr University.
Peter Francis explained: “The Centre for Cultural and Theological Studies will blend the prestigious heritage of St Deiniol’s Library, with the modern and dynamic ethos of Wales’ newest university.
“By combining our collection with Glyndwr University’s own library, we will provide a unique learning facility for both staff and students, exploring new opportunities which will bring mutual benefits to all. It’s a very exciting time for us, and we are delighted to be associated with Glyndwr University in this way.”
Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndwr University, said: “St Deiniol’s Library represents a continuing monument to Gladstone’s lifelong belief in the importance of learning.
“Glyndwr University is proud to be associated with the Library and believes the partnership between the two institutions will strengthen the opportunities for learning that exist in North East Wales and further afield.
“Both the Library and the University have internationally recognised specialised research reputations which will be significantly enhanced by this new relationship.”
1st May 2009
NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB MEMBERS VISIT ST DEINIOL’S
MEMBERS of the National Liberal Club will be visiting St Deiniol’s Library next week as part of the bicentenary celebrations of William Gladstone.
The private members club, located on London’s Embankment, was established by Gladstone in 1882 and its members have included prominent political figures from the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats from the past to the present day.
The official visit is part of a series of bicentenary celebrations led by St Deiniol’s Library, including the Gladstone Festival on September 11th-13th and plans to create new facilities at the library including an Islamic Reading Room and Religious Education Resource Centre.
Peter Francis, Warden of St Deiniol’s, will welcome the delegation, led by the Club’s current Chairman, the Rev. Paul Hunt, on May 8th.
He said: “St Deiniol’s Library has a long and proud association with the National Liberal Club. The bicentenary year of Gladstone is an excellent opportunity to celebrate these links as we strive to interpret Gladstone’s legacy for the benefit of society today.”
The National Liberal Club has approximately 1,500 members including the current leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg as well as many other Liberal Democrat and Liberal politicians including Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy, Ming Campbell, David Steel, Jeremy Thorpe, David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. HG Wells and Dylan Thomas were also members of the NLC.
St Deiniol’s is the national memorial to William Gladstone and was established by him for the ‘purpose of divine learning’. It is the only Prime Ministerial library in the UK and the finest residential library, specialising in theology and Victorian Studies as well as attracting writers, academics, students and clergy from around the world.
The library is also considered the most important independent research library in Wales.
St Deiniol’s Library is open to members of the public and has a coffee shop, common room, gardens, conference facilities, and a chapel with daily services. It has 30 bedrooms and holds regular courses and workshops throughout the year.
To find out more call 01244 532350 or email enquiries@st-deiniols.org
March 27th 2009
LIFE AFTER DEATH LECTURE AT ST DEINIOL’S LIBRARY
CONTROVERSIAL American theologian John Shelby Spong will be talking about life after death in a lecture at St Deiniol’s Library on Saturday April 4th.
The former Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, who was the first to ordain an openly gay priest and is a fearless advocate of church reform, will be speaking publicly for the very last time at St Deiniol’s Library of which he is a Fellow and Patron.
The lecture is based on the best-selling author’s forthcoming book Eternal Life: Pious Dream or Realistic Hope.
St Deiniol’s Library is located in the Welsh village of Hawarden, just six miles from Chester, and is the national memorial to four times Prime Minister, William Gladstone, whose bicentenary is being celebrated this year.
The lecture begins at 2.30pm. For details, contact enquiries@st-deiniols.org or call 01244 532350.
March 9th 2009
DARWIN & GLADSTONE: DOUBLE BICENTENARY YEAR
CHARLES Darwin comes under the spotlight at St Deiniol’s Library – the national memorial to William Gladstone – during the bicentenary year of the two great Victorians.
Australian academic Patrick Armstrong whose book, Darwin’s Luck, was published in February will be among the guest speakers at the half-day conference on Sunday, March 22nd.
It is part of a series of seminars and lectures being held at St Deiniol’s during 2009 to mark the bicentenary of William Gladstone who established the library for the ‘pursuit of divine learning’.
Letters and correspondence show that Gladstone (29.12.1809 – 19.5 1898) and Darwin (12.2.1809-1882) knew each other personally and later, Gladstone, as Prime Minister, consented to Darwin being buried at Westminster Abbey.
The conference also includes guest speakers, Andrew Allott, Head of Biology at Shrewsbury School, which Darwin attended, and Question Time will be led by Dr Stephen Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of Chester.
The Darwin’s Luck conference begins at 2.30pm and includes afternoon tea; evening dinner can be booked separately. Contact St Deiniol’s Library on 01244 532350 to book a place.
February 26th 2009
St DEINIOL’S LIBRARY IN BBC DOCUMENTARY
St Deiniol’s Library - the national memorial to William Gladstone - is being featured in a BBC documentary about the ‘Grand Old Man’ and his most famous political rival, Disraeli.
The library – located in the Welsh village of Hawarden near Chester - is the national memorial to William Gladstone (29th December 1809- 19th May 1898) and is leading the bicentenary celebrations of the four times Prime Minister and Liberal Statesman.
The 90-minute documentary, Gladstone and Disraeli: Clash of the Titans by newsreader and journalist, Huw Edwards, is due to be shown on Tuesday, March 3rd at 8pm on BBC 4.
St Deiniol’s Library was set up by Gladstone and opened in 1894. Today, it has a collection of 250,000 works including letters written by Gladstone and 32,000 items from his own personal library.
It is the only Prime Ministerial library in the UK and one of the finest residential libraries, attracting writers, academics, clergy and students from all over the world.
As part of the bicentenary celebrations, which were launched in January with guest speakers Roy Hattersley and historian, Richard Aldous, the library is launching a fund-raising campaign to create new facilities including an Islamic Reading Room and Religious Education Resource Centre.
Peter Francis, Warden of St Deiniol’s Library, said: “The BBC filmed here last year and Huw Edwards was very interested to learn about how and why Gladstone started the library.
“St Deiniol’s is living testament to Gladstone’s beliefs and passions on all matters, from religion to enlightenment. As a politician, he was not afraid to engage with the pressing issues of the day, and to celebrate 200 years since his birth, we too are seeking to embrace the real issues affecting us all now.
“We hope the BBC documentary will bring Gladstone to a wider audience, and show that St Deiniol’s is as relevant today, as when he set it up.”
