Book Case bag update (see above): the first photos are coming in - thanks to Claire, Meg, Kate and the Binns family! So far we have Aqaba, Brighouse, Corby beach, Manchester, Montana, Mytholmroyd, Utah, Whitby and York, and we want still more! Click Book Case bag on holiday for a slideshow - and please send in your own photos of the Book Case bag in your own interesting places.
Friday 23 July, Calder High School, 8pm – evening with Simon Armitage.
| A weather-beaten Simon Armitage, getting towards home on his north-south Pennine Way journey, stopped off at the Ted Hughes Theatre, Calder High on Friday 23rd July, to read his poems and talk about his journey and the book he plans to write about it, to a packed and enthusiastic audience - finishing off with the Luddenden Foot riff from "Gig". The books on the Book Case stall rapidly changed hands and were duly signed - and we have a few signed copies at The Book Case on Market Street. As we left Calder High, a big moon was rising above the Rock described by Ted Hughes. |  |
This month we're on Bookhugger online literary mag as Independent Bookshop of the Month - and see their main page for lots of lively info on books, authors and events.
Just into stock is a new pocket-sized walking guide, Walks around Calderdale by Dorian Speakman (£2.99). From Dalesman, it gives details of ten local walks, ranging from Ogden Water and Mirfield to Walsden, and including Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall, Mytholmroyd, Cragg Vale and Todmorden areas.
We also have the fold-out leaflet/poster about the Old Bridge produced by Hebden Bridge Local History Society for the recent reenactment of the 1643 battle on the bridge: Hebden Bridge 1510 - the 500-year-old bridge (£1.00). There's a late-19th-century photo on one side and notes about the history of the bridge and of Old Gate on the other.
We've more great quality remainders (e.g. "God of Small Things" for £2.99) - some on the centre table, some on the landing - and we're trying the literary mags Ambit and Popshot: the Liberate issue after they were praised in the Independent.
Also new in, some bright new nature cards from Woodland Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (a brilliant one of damselflies and one of a heron) and from Heart of a Garden: currently on the stand near the door.
And new from Hebden Bridge publishers Bluemoose, a novel, Gabriel's Angel by Mark A. Radcliffe (£7.99) about a grumpy web journalist who not only has sperm problems and a vanished job - he also gets run over and and wakes up to find himself in a therapy group run by Angels just beneath heaven - and that really annoys him! "The perfect antidote to the glib platitudes of emotional quick-fix culture: tender, astute and very funny," says Christopher Brookmyre. The author is not the DJ with a similar name, before you ask.
We were all very sorry to hear about the recent death of Reg Goodwin who was such a cheerful and helpful presence at Hebden Bridge station. There are details of the funeral at http://www.hbstationfriends.org.uk/ - News page.
Best wishes from your local independent bookshop,
Helen of Four Gates by Ethel Holdsworth is available in a special edition
