Local and Community History Month: The Voices of Courtaulds

The Voices of Courtaulds exhibition at Flint Library is based on the memories and photographs of Courtauld employees from the five Flintshire factory sites. The company was at the forefront of technological development within the textile industry, and pioneered the manufacture of rayon through the viscose process. Courtaulds had three factory sites in Flint: Aber Works, Deeside Mills and Castle Works. There were two rayon production facilities at Greenfield named Number 1 and 2. At its height, the Courtauld company employed over 10,000 people in Flintshire, with generations of families working there. Each factory had an active social calendar with clubs and societies, sporting events, and pantomimes for the children. There was fierce competition for the coveted 'Rayon Queen' title.

The Aura History and Heritage team has worked in partnership with the Courtauld Institute of Art in London to produce the exhibition as part of their Courtauld Connects project. This Local and Community History Month, why not discover The Voice of Courtaulds exhibition at Flint Library, or visit our heritage collections at our libraries in Mold, Connah's Quay and Buckley to learn more about the history of Flintshire: a very warm welcome to all.

Select and Collect

It has been wonderful to see the community return to our library buildings. Whilst the libraries are open for select browsing, we are still really enjoying putting your Select and Collect orders together. You can browse and reserve items for collection via our online library catalogue at www.aura.wales/flintshire-library-catalogue/

We will just need to know your library membership number, a contact telephone number and email address, your book requests/preferences, and your preferred collection point. If you would like to make an order, please telephone us on 01352 703750, or email us at libraries@aura.wales .

Aura Book Corner

Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon

This week's book recommendation is Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon. Against the advice of his concerned friends, David returns to Aiguaclara, a small Catalonian resort, where he and his late wife Mary Rose holidayed every year for 20 years. After Mary Rose's sudden and tragic death, David begins to relive their 20 years of marriage, contemplating its dynamic and viewing it under a new and different light. His love for Mary Rose is unquestionable, yet he starts to question if he ever truly knew her, and if he knows himself in return.

A beautifully crafted novel about togetherness, marriage, love and loss: Nothing But Blue Sky is a touching exploration of how we see ourselves and how we see the ones we love. We would give this title an Aura Book Score of 5/5.

If this book sounds right up your street, why not add it to your next Select and Collect order!

Computer use at your local Aura Library

As a reminder, computers are available to book by phoning the library:

• Broughton Library - 01352 703760

• Buckley Library - 01352 703860

• Connah's Quay Library - 01352 703730

• Flint Library - 01352 703737

• Holywell Library - 01352 703850

• Mold Library - 01352 703780

Sporting Memories

Are you a sports fan? Join us for our Sporting Memories group, every Wednesday at 10am via Zoom. Sporting Memories sessions are aimed at people over 50 and are designed to get conversation flowing, help re-live positive memories and provide joy and companionship. At Sporting Memories Clubs, everyone finds fun, friendship and increased wellbeing. Why not join us and find out what it's all about! The sessions will run weekly and we hope to be able to meet in person very soon. For more information and to register for the session please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

Visit us on social media to view our weekly rhyme time or story time sessions, as well as lots of book and audiobook recommendations, plus handy information about our services and the online monthly events we host, including Zoom reading groups for adults and children. We can be found on Facebook at @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries, Instagram at @llyfrgelloeddauralibraries and Twitter at @LibFlintshire.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading, stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon! Whilst we may be facing difficult times, remember: we are always united by books!

• Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.