Friday Talk: Lipsticks and Library books

Boots used to have subscription libraries within their chemist shops. They were hugely successful and flourished throughout the UK from 1899 until the last branch closed in 1966. Dorset had its fair share, with no fewer than five branches in Bournemouth and others in towns such as Blandford, Poole, Dorchester, Weymouth and Wimborne.

In this talk, Jackie Winter weaves the story of the Boots Booklovers’ Library from the memories of  subscribers and staff of this almost forgotten piece of social history.

Admission to the talk is £6 (free to Friends and Patrons of the Museum).

Refreshments will be available from 7 pm, and the talk will start at 7:30.

We have a wide variety of talks about our history and heritage from a range of expert speakers lined up for Spring and Autumn 2024. These will take place on Fridays (usually, but not always, the last Friday of the month) at the Parish Centre in Blandford. Please see our Events Calendar for the dates and details of other talks.