Pioneer role for voice of BOOKMARK event
Jean supports 2021 City of Culture bid for region
One of the founders of the BOOKMARK festival in Blairgowrie has been nominated as a Perth Pioneer in support of the Fair City’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2021.
Jean Squires, who lives in the east Perthshire town, was one of three local ladies who formed the first committee which set up the popular Blairgowrie, Rattray and Glens literary event back in 2013.
Since then the festival has grown and has brought more than 50 authors to the local area for a total of 65 events so far. Of these, 25 have been specifically geared towards entertaining children.
The success of the event is underlined by the fact it has sold in excess of 3500 tickets in its history to date.
The 2017 festival will take place from October 6-7 and organisers are keen to build on the success of previous events.
Jean told the Blairie: “I was honoured to be nominated as a Perth Pioneer and to represent BOOKMARK and in turn Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens in support of Perth’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2021.
“The bid isn’t just about Perth, it is about the whole region and how it can work together to achieve this status, which has had huge economic benefits for other areas.
“BOOKMARK’s contribution to and support of this bid should raise the profile of Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens as well.
“There’s such creative talent and energy in the area, it is wonderful to recognise this and to help it blossom.”
Chair of the BOOKMARK festival, Janey Lambie, was delighted that Jean agreed to be featured as a Perth Pioneer.
She said: “As one of the founder members of the festival committee, Jean is indeed a real pioneer!
“She is also the ‘voice of BOOKMARK’ as the presenter of the festival, a role that she is just perfect for as her voice is amazing. It manages to be calm and reassuring while at the same time creates an expectant hush and sense of anticipation in the audience.”
The festival has attracted high calibre authors such as BBC Scotland’s Sally Magnusson, Sir John Lister-Kaye, Maggie O’Farrell and James Naughtie last year.
Former war correspondent and independent member of parliament, Martin Bell, entertained an audience the previous year.
Jean added: “People are amazed by the programme and the names that are willing to come and support it.”
The former teacher believes that getting young people engaged with books at an early age will give them a lifelong appreciation of reading.
She continued by explaining: “BOOKMARK has encouraged lots of children to buy books and to enjoy reading, with the knockon effects of encouraging creative writing.
“Grandparents say ‘My grandchildren were so thrilled with the author visit – that’s what I’m buying them for Christmas, books.’ So it has had an impact.”
To read Jean’s profile in full, go to www.perth2021.com/perthpioneers/jean-squires-2/
For more information and news about BOOKMARK, see the website at www.bookmarkblair. com.