‘It was a bright and sunny day...’

Bathurst Bookfair weaves together people, food and fun

Like a good story, the Bathurst Bookfair had characters (when does Bathurst not have characters); setting (a sort of magical book-garden); conflict (which of the many wonderful spots to eat and drink at?); and style. It also had pink people: the red tent turned everyone inside it an unusual colour.

With the famous Fables Bookshop as an anchor-point, the Village Green the setting, and local restaurants and retailers all woven into the story, Bathurst was a magical place to be last Sunday.

Co-organiser Corinne Willoughby was philosophical about the numbers being somewhat down this year.

“It’s to be expected,” she said. “It’ sa sign of the times.”

There were plenty of books, food, coffee and music-loving people wandering through the village’s streets and arbours.

“It’s always a happy buzz at the book fair and people who love books are very interesting people,” Willoughby said. “They come from all over the place – [Makhanda], East London, [Gqeberha] and lots of little places, for the love of books.

“And the book fair is always successful: it always has a lovely gentle vibe. The food was great – there were lovely walk-and-eat stalls. There was sort of shawarma thing at the coffee shop. And the coffee shop did well – it a’ s got a lovely vibe there too: bookie people go there.”

The Little Theatre had a sold-out performance of Everybody is a Bridge featuring Anton Krueger and African Melodic Remedies, and later a tribute show by Dave Stark and Lizzie Gaisford.

“Unfortunately there were some clashing times, but we sorted it out,” Willoughby said. “But – ja - it was a great success [and always is].”

Rainfall and temperatures in Port Alfred for the week Wednesday April 24 to Tuesday April 30 2024 (rainfall in millimetres and temperature degrees Celsius (°C))

● Wednesday: 0 (16°C)

● Thursday: 0 (17°C)

● Friday: 2 (15°C)

● Saturday: 8 (17°C)

● Sunday: 0 (16°C)

● Monday: 0 (18°C)

● Tuesday: 0 (13°C)

● Total rainfall: 10mm

● Seven-day mean temperature 16°C (Median 16)

● Average for April 104mm ● YTD 155mm

● MTD 67mm

— Rainfall and temperature measurements, recorded at 6am in Forest Downs, Port Alfred by Emil Jurgensen.

Https://bit.ly/TOTT AmazwiMagona SA VOICES: Zongezile Matshoba, manager: education and public programmes division at Amazwi, chats to Gideon Mashile and Sarah Murray about Sindiwe Magona’s books and the museum’s special tribute to the beloved storyteller and writer in the ‘Sindiwe Magona: A Conscience for the Nation ’ exhibition. For more info, visit

Pictures: SUE MACLENNAN HEAR YE: Bathurst Town Criers Shane Steenkamp and Warwick Lewarne make a turn at the book tent on the Village Green.

BATHURST MASCOTS: Mary Riley and her famous alpacas, the friendly Pablo and Pepito, liven up the children’s reading corner.

A DOG’S LIFE: Myra the bull terrier, Nicholas Wanckel and Lisa Huber share a literary connection.

FRIENDS: Mike Allen and retired service dog, Chaos, relax on the Village Green, outside the Bathurst Arms.