When I saw on television the damage that the floods have caused over the last few weeks I realised how lucky we’ve been in this part of Pembrokeshire. There have been some heartbreaking images and stories of people being forced out of their homes, of businesses, livelihoods being lost. But, recently, it was one photograph in a newspaper that stayed with me.
It was in an article in The Guardian under the headlines “Leading authors join drive to help flood-hit Yorkshire bookshop.” Well known authors were being asked to donate their books for auction to raise funds for a local independent book shop, The Book Case in Hebden Bridge which, before the floods looked like this:
I love Yorkshire; I originally came from a village there. We’ve had many holidays walking in the Yorkshire Dales. Hebden Bridge is a town we’ve visited .I couldn’t get the image of that shop and all those destroyed books out of my mind.
Not being a well known, famous author it didn’t initially occur to me that I could help in any way. But then I looked at all the books on the shelves in my study. Many of them are from independent bookshops, places where the owners have gone out of their way to help me find a book for research; one that might be out of print or so obscure that even large on-line outlets don’t stock it.
So I wrote an email ” could I, a ‘not well known’ author help by donating copies of my trilogy to the shop?” The answer came back in no time from someone who is coordinating part of the appeal, herself a writer, Carol Bridgestock – “Thank you Books are being very gratefully accepted.”
I’m glad I offered. I contacted my publishers, Honno, to let them know about the appeal and they are also looking into donating some books.
By the way, if you do feel that you could support this, I have an address where you can send your book to. They are keeping them safe until the shop is dry enough to restock:-
C/O Waterside GymValley RoadHebden BridgeHX7 7BZ
These are the websites to see all the details:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
AUTHORS – Are there any Bookshops near you that have had flood damage, especially the small Independent Stores?
Could you donate your books to them?
OR
See the links given by Judith in her post.
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Thanks Chris, I really appreciate this.Independent bookshops need all the help they can get. I’ve been in touch with the author who is coordinating the appeal and it sounds horrendous.Jx
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I would think it is a horrendous task Judith the NE & NW of England, as well as Scotland have suffered greatly…
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Reblogged this on TheKingsKidChronicles and commented:
I don’t have any print books, so am unable to contribute, but am re-blogging to pass the word along.
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Oh, thank you, it all helps. Jx
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Thank you. Any support is very welcome.Jx
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Judith Barrow with an appeal. An independent bookshop in Yorkshire had its stock ruined by the floods.. Judith is donating some of her books, can you donate any of yours.
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Thank you so much, Sally. I think we need to support any independent bookshop these days. It’s horrendous what has happened. Much love.Jx
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Always wanted a combined coffee shop/self-published bookshop.. with readings and writing competitions.. On high ground! XX
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A lovely thought, Sally. I’d support that. But yes, on higher ground.Jx
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Good on you, Judith. There are so few independent bookshops left – my closest is about an hour’s drive from me.
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Hi Mary, we have two here in Pembrokeshire close by. But Hebden Bridge is a place we’ve often walked.Just wanted to support an independent bookshop – it’s heartbreaking Jx
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I used to visit Hebden Bridge many years ago when I worked for Oxfam and the Oxfam shop there was in my catchment area for a while. It had the most amazing Victorian bathroom upstairs!
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A Victorian bathroom. Wow!. Worth a post? J
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What a generous offer, Judith. And a lovely way to repay.
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The only way I could think of, Noelle. We’ve been so lucky here in Pembrokeshire.jx
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Pingback: Judith Barrow: The Book Case – Flooded | Daily Echo
Thank you, Sue. Wish I knew how to do that.Is it the pingback?Jx
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I’m in Wales at the moment but when I go back home I’ll see what I can do. It’s not very far for me, I should be able to take some books myself.
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Olga, thank you, they will be so grateful. Hope you’re enjoying looking after those lovely dogs!Jx
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What a wonderfully, generous, and compassionate thing to have done 🙂
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Thank you,a lovely comment, but it was an easy gesture to make when I thought of all the people actually having to clear up and try to get their lives back again.Jx
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Reblogged this on BetweenTheLines and commented:
Could you help small independent bookshops affected by the flooding? Check out the links in Judith’s post.
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Thanks, Cathy, this is really appreciated. The BookCase is grateful for all books donated. The damage caused to so many by the floods is horrendous. Jx
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It is awful, I can’t even imagine being in that situation. x
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Nor me. It must be heartbreaking.Jx
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What a good idea. Well done Judith! 😊
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Thanks, Ali. Sitting in a house on a hill in Pembrokeshire; a nice dry house, despite the rain outside, it seemed the right thing to do.Jx
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I dont think there is a part of Ireland that hasn’t been affected by flood either. We live on a hill too, but here in Cavan all the lakes and rovers have flooded yet we don’t seem to have had any disasters like homes and businesses ruined, like elsewhere. Terrible isn’t it?
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Ali, it seems to be non stop. I can’t help but think how lucky we are – and how awful it is for so many.Jx
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Yes you’re right.
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You should be congratulated for helping them. Nice job.
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Thank you, John. But it’s such a small gesture after what they’ve gone through; I just felt I needed to do something after I saw the photo of all those ruined books.jx
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True.
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Jx
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Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Authors and Bloggers. This bookstore was flooded and all of it’s stock destroyed. Perhaps you can help out.
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Hi Michelle, thank you so much – this is really appreciated.Jx
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I too will be contacting my publisher to see what I can do to help. Gwen Wilson (Australia) – Author of I Belong to No One.
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Oh, thank you so much, Gwen, that is so kind of you. judith x
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Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: .
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Brilliant Judith. So sad to hear about the devastation. Your kindness to help rebuild and replenish also rewards you with opportunity to get your books in that venue. From darkness, follows with light. ❤
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Thank you, Debby – that’s actually right, you know. every cloud etc. Just hope it helps the shop recover really – and other authors are now sending their books – it’s brilliant.Jx
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Thanks for the information here. I read the article but it didn’t occur to me to donate books. Llke you, I’m not well known, on top of which I’m published in the U.S., not the U.K. But yes, I’ll contact them. Thanks.
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Hi Ellen, I’m sure they will be so grateful. It’s been a shockingly distressing time for them. Thank you for dropping by.J
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