Events for May 2026

Every Saturday - Storytime 10.30 am. A different reader every week selects from our picture books. 

Thursday 7th May: Diversity Book Club. This month's book is 'The Island of Missing Trees' by Elif Shafak.
5.30pm, free. All are welcome

Thursday 7th May: 'A memoir before you die'. Dr Lyn Jenkins in conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink - acclaimed memoirist and author of 'Write it all Down' - about how to write your life story for friends and family before it is too late.
Cathy will appear via live video link.
7.00pm, tickets £5

Saturday 16th May: Dr Nighat Arif, Q&A at Chesham Leisure Centre, 1pm, free. Britain's best-loved television doctor will be answering your medical questions and signing copies of her new book, 'The Complete Guide to Family Health'

Events take place at Chapter Two and are FREE unless otherwise stated.
Donations welcome with all profits going to the Hospice of St Francis. 
For more information on any of our events please ask a member of staff
who will be happy to help

CHESHAM FRINGE EVENTS: 23rd - 24th May

Saturday 23rd May, 11.30: Alex Williams, 'Secular Verses'
A poetry reading by the humanist poet, Alex Williams, whose verse ranges from the thoughtful and lyrical to the comic and polemic. Free event.

Saturday 23rd May, 13.00: Robin Ince & John Higgs. Doctor Who, Neurodiversity and the Art of Being Human. Robin and John discuss their latest books with journalist Sean Hannam, exploring Dr Who's cultural legacy, reflecting on neurodiversity, anxiety and the idea of 'normality'. Free event.

Saturday 23rd May, 15.30: Denise Beddows - 'The Attraction of Cosy Crime'
Award winning local crime writer will be talking about what attracts us to the genre of cosy crime and will be discussing her latest novel written in that style, Murder at the Festival. Free event.

Saturday 23rd May, 17.30: Nige Tassell, 'Riding Britain's Trains to the End of The Line'.
A warm, witty exploration of Britain through seldom-travelled tracks. Nige journeys to Britain's remote rail endpoints, reflecting on landscapes, people and overlooked towns, including Chesham. Free event.

Sunday 24th May, 11.00: Leslie Tate, 'Head, Heart and Life-Writing'
What's it like to be non-binary? How do you find your best self in writing? Meet author, Leslie Tate in a Q&A exploring engaging writing and truth-telling. Free event.

CHESHAM FRINGE EVENTS cont.

Sunday 24th May, 12.30: Chess Poets
Chesham's premier poetry collective returns with this year's varied programme, including work by new members, Jackie Miller and Reinhard Kowalski
Free event.

Sunday 24th May, 14.00: Martyn Crucefix and Valerie Jack, poetry reading.
Award-winning poets Martyn and Valerie will be reading from their latest work, including Martyn's newly published collection 'Our Weird Regiment'.
Free event.

Sunday 24th May, 15.30: Bigge Baade Birdes - Two Birdes in the Hande! 
Prize-winning comic poets Heather, Mary Sullivan and Anna Somerset team up in a hilarious comic journey as ladybirds of a certain age, in an age of uncertainty.
Free event.

Sunday 24th May, 17.00: 'Definitely NOT Question Time!' - Finding Common Ground on Polarising Issues.
An interactive workshop exploring how to find common ground on divisive issues and with that, how we and the community might tackle disinformation. Practical tools for constructive dialog. 
Free event.