Bookends Festival

Celebrating the written and spoken word

IF, AS they say, a book is a dream that you hold in your hand, then the upcoming Bookends Festival will make dreams come true this September in Benderloch.

Organised by the husband and wife duo of Joy and Campbell Cameron, and a team of ambassadors, the festival runs from Saturday September 24 to Saturday October 1, and features locally inspired authors and poets, spoken word, a Bookbug session, creative events, raffles and competitions. As a legacy of the festival, organisers hope to leave a permanent library area in Victory Hall.

'A couple of years ago we had an evening with the poet and novelist Kenneth Steven, who did some readings at Lochnell Primary and at the Lochnell Hotel. They were so appreciated and well attended that it led to us thinking about having a book festival in Benderloch,' Joy said.

In order to generate interest in the festival, Bookends ambassadors will roll out book bins – modified wheelie bins – around the Oban and Lorn area. 'As well as containing the Bookends' programme, the book bins will be filled with a variety of books, from children's titles to reference works, from recipe books to novels,' Joy said. ' We hope that folk will enjoy helping themselves and swapping any books they are finished with.'

In addition to Kenneth Steven, authors on the bill include Norman Bissell, Judy Fairbairns and Rus- sell Campbell. Ruth Moody, Kundalini coach and counsellor, will discuss mantras and meditation, and Mairi Stones will hold a session on the emotional freedom technique. One evening is dedicated to creating your own special reading chair, and another to a family quiz. Oban Phoenix Cinema will be showing book-themed films throughout the week.

' We are going to transform the Victory Hall into a sumptuous reading room,' said Joy. 'MacQueen Bros are lending sofas, armchairs and bookcases and loads of books to fill them. We are promoting Forward Art Foundation's and Scottish Poetry Library's National Poetry Day and the Scottish Book Trust's book week, which follow hot on the heels of our Bookends Festival, so it's tying in with national events. Local schools and nurseries will also be making use of the reading room throughout the Bookends Festival.

' The reading room will be open to everyone every day that week from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. It's an easy way to go to the library. The legacy of this will be a reading corner left in the hall, and we can organise events there or book groups can use it to meet.'

Ambassadors can provide lifts to the hall or help those with special needs.

For more information, ring 01631 720247, email joycameron57@hotmail.com or join Bookends Festival on Facebook for updates and news. Look for a Bookends book bin near you.