onionbagblog

The problem with moving to a provincial estuary town is that the isolation (yeah, right…) leads to an incredibly vibrant local social scene. This presents challenges to any young (ish) #hyperlocal blogger who tries to keep up with what is happening within Wivenhoe.

And so with apologies to the good folk of the Wivenhoe Bookshop, I feel a sense of neglect on the online front. I’ve been busy reading, donchta know…

So here’s a brief catch up of the incredibly varied programme of events that are coming up at everyone’s favourite local bookshop that looks slightly wonky when you stand outside, but is perfectly formed and rather friendly within – and that’s not something you can say about Waterstone’s along Piccadilly…

Knit one, pearl one, anyone?

“Woolly Thoughts gathers at the Rose and Crown on Wivenhoe Quay, on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30 – 9pm, and all are welcome, just bring your woolly stuff and woolly thoughts.”

Blimey. You could almost write a book about that.

Speaking of future stories to be told, I hear that Wivenhoe is holding some little fair or other over the last weekend Bank Holiday in May…

“Hard on the heels of our sell-out gig featuring ‘DR¯UM‘, we’ve booked the extraordinary Hot Club Gitane for our next Bookshop Unplugged event on Friday 27th May. Get in the mood for the May Fair – join us for this Gypsy Jazz / Hot Club de Paris swing mix in an intimate setting… Places are limited, so pre-booking is advisable.”

I’d wager that the queues will be stretching all the way down to the Quay if the lovely Bookshop continues to market this as “hot club / tub de Paris in an intimate setting.”

Cripes.

But anyway – back to the books…

“On May 17th, top novelist Sue Gee will be joining us for a Lit Lunch to talk about her new volume of short stories, Last Fling, many of which have won awards, or been broadcast.

What better way to do it than over fine food with good wine? Join us at the lovely Jardine Cafe and Bistro on Wivenhoe’s High Street.”

And to bring things back full circle, it’s back to the Bookshop for a book launch at the end of April by a Professor of Literature from up the road at the University. Light alcoholic refreshments may (or may not) be involved:

“After The Fall – Book Launch With Richard Gray.

In After the Fall: American Literature Since 9/11, Richard Gray, widely regarded as the leading European scholar in American literature, examines how these traumatic events came with an overwhelming sentiment within the writer’s community that language had failed them.”

And so knitting, hot club / tub gypsy jazz, lit lunches and academia – not yer average provincial town bookshop…