Bookends Festival plans busy weekend followed by its fringe
BENDERLOCH’S Bookends Festival 2017 got off to a flying start on Saturday September 23 when Kenneth Steven, author and poet, launched this festival of the written and spoken word in The Reading Room at The Victory Hall in Benderloch.
Locals and visitors then gathered in the story cave to hear Patsy Dyer, a storyteller from Ardfern regale them with several Tales from Argyll. Alex MacPherson, 12, said: ‘The stories were good and the storyteller really brought them to life.’ His brother, Andrew, aged 5, added: ‘I liked the bit about the dragon!’
Following the storytelling sessions there was still plenty of time to browse the shelves of pre-loved books and share old and new titles with other readers.
Children and adults also added their handprints to the Bookends Blanket to record a visit to The Reading Room.
The first author event brought Adam Ardrey, of Finding Merlin and Finding Arthur fame, to The Reading Room. Adam provoked a great deal of discussion and questions when he shared his research explaining why he believes Arthur, a prince though never a King, fought in a battle in the centre of Benderloch around the Pictish fort of Beregonium. He also explained why the story had been corrupted and Arthur was not recognised for who he truly was.
Following the event Adam said: ‘My confidence in Argyll life has been restored by the Benderloch Bookends Festival. Whether I am right or wrong about Argyll’s King Arthur connection, the council and the local tourist industry could use Argyll’s King Arthur connection to (let’s not mince words) make money.
‘Argyll has a better claim to Arthur than Somerset or Cornwall in England (both of which make millions of pounds every year) but the council and the local tourist industry don’t want to know. I found an audience ready and willing to consider new ideas.’
Monday morning brought younger visitors to The Reading Room when Stramash Nursery came to visit. After a snack the children gathered together to listen to the story Shark In The Park read by Bookends organiser Joy Cameron.
The Reading Room continues to open from 3.306.30pm each day during the festival and the fringe.
Tonight (Thursday) there are still a few places left for the creative session, Lino-cut bookmark making. Go along at 7.30pm when Jennifer Shaw will lead folk through the steps to create a bespoke bookmark to take away; £5 and all materials are included.
Lindsay Campbell will curdle blood with tales of derring-do on Saturday September 30 at 2pm and Graeme Pagan and Allison Pringle will entertain everyone and give food for thought at 7pm when they bring two books to consider, Once Bitten Twice Fined, stories from the court house and Don’t Mention The Coal Scuttle which aims to help deal with the loss of a loved one.
Bookends takes a breather on Sunday October 1 but kicks off again on Monday when The Reading Room opens once more for Bookends Fringe with a ‘Shamanic Workshop’ with Heather Craig at 7pm, followed on Tuesday with a performance piece by Sheila Quillan and the Bookends Blanket called With These Hands. Wednesday sees European Board Games Night at 7.30pm with Nicholas Holliday, before the film night shows Tomorrow at 10.30am and 7pm on Thursday.
Finally on Friday people are invited to listen to the rants and ravings of three local worthies in a talk titled Grumpy Old Men: The Campbells are Coming.
Details of all events are on www.bookends.scot and on Facebook at Bookends Festival Benderloch.