A Blatant plug for the Book Fair this Sunday....

Well the West Kent Book Fair is once again almost upon us. It will take place in Old Big School hall this Sunday the 17th from 10am to 4pm. Old Big School hall is the hall right next to the school's main reception lobby, not to be confused with Big School, which is the larger hall, along a little next to the arch way. As well as the usual many thousands of book bargains on offer there'll be a mix of literary events such as from 12-15 to 1pm traditional family stories with Rob Parkinson, who is the resident story teller for the Tonbridge Arts Festival. Then at 2-30pm there's Poetry at the Fair which is a chance for budding local poets to bring along a favourite poem or, better still, their own material to perform at the fair. If people want to come along just to listen then that's fine too although I always think that these people are actually just frustrated and a little timid and would really like to take part. Ages usually range from 18 to 88 and styles range from Sroobius Pip In addition there'll be a book binding demo and published authors on hand to sign their books and offer advice on how to get published. The fair was resurected from the old Tonbridge Book Fair which had been dormant for about 20 years and was originally held in the Hilden Manor function room until that burnt down about five years ago (nothing to do with me!) and the venue was switched to Tonbridge School where it's been ever since. To be honest it would be hard to think of a better book fair venue and, believe you me, I've been to some pretty grotty ones! This one is near perfect with superb natural lighting, the right atmosphere set by the lovely oak pannelled hall and ample on-site parking. The organisers, whoever they are, hope that you'll be able to find a spare hour or two on Sunday to make it along. This will no doubt get you in the mood for the rest of the Arts Festival taking place until the following Sunday. There was that a blatant enough plug for you!...