2019 Round-up
January
Began quietly with a two-week closure for low-grade renovations following a traditional post-New Years’ book sale
Sunday 13th – Make & Cake – crafting afternoon featuring guests’ own crafts, and our own cake . . .
February
Friday 2nd - David Bramwell (Mysterium; Odyssium; The Haunted Moustache; The Number 9 Bus to Utopia) is guest of honour at the year’s first Literary Lock-in for Readers Club members.
David begins working in our Writers’ Room, where he will be found on most Mondays through the year.
Saturday 9th – We hosted a session with The Sussex Deaf Bookworms. The bookgroup brought along author Bee Wilson (Liminal).
Saturday 12th – Debut of theatre troupe Dark Unicorn’ presentation of John Patrick Shanley’s play Doubt in Eastbourne, thanks in part to our support
Friday 15th – Literary Lock-in shifts from the first Friday of the month, due to inclement weather. Sarah Dennis from the Charleston Trust is guest of honour.
Sunday 17th – Make & Bake: collage badges!
Sunday 24th – Book group discussion of Anna Burns’ Milkman
March
Friday 1st – Readers Club Literary Lock-in with special guests Harriet Calis and Laurence Hargreaves, discussing their work in Iran for Afghan girls, and showing textiles from various regions in the country.
Sunday 10th – Felted slipper workshop with Debbie Siniska
Sunday 17th – Annabel Abbs joins us to celebrate publication of her novel Frieda
Thursday 21st – David Soulsby leads a workshop exploring the work of Lucretius.
Friday 22 March – We helped sponsor an event at the Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, exploring the history of the murals at Berwick Church.
Saturday 23rd – Book discussion: Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow. Also, Keith Pettit offers free demonstration of his woodblock carving.
April
Friday 5th – Literary Lock-in for Readers Club members, with Lulah Ellender (Elisabeth's Lists : A Life Between the Lines)
Sunday 7th – Collage workshop with Sarah Holloway
Sunday 14th – Book discussion: The People’s Favourite Poems: Out and About with Kipling, Larkin and the rest by Gary Dexter
Saturday 27th – Professor Amy Weldon brings visiting academics from USA, during Bloomsbury Group tour
Sunday 28th – Sarah Burns and Alice Garner lead a pattern-making workshop
May
Friday 3rd – Emma and Richard Mason introduce Denise Hoyle’s work at our Literary Lock-in. The event also featured first-time novelist Tamara Colchester (The Heart is a Burial Ground).
Saturday & Sunday 4th & 5th – Denise Hoyle exhibit arranged by Emma Mason Gallery
Saturday 4th – Author Tamara Colchester visits, to chat with customers about her project collecting and sharing plant lore.
Sunday 5th – Vicar Peter Blee in discussion with artist Julian Bell, about a special commission at Berwick Church
Thursday 9th – Author Alex Preston leads an event introducing the Refugee Walk, which will soon be coming to Alfriston.
Sunday 12th – Cecile Garcia craft workshop: Mindfulness in the Garden
Saturday 18th – We sponsored Alan Bennett’s talk at the Charleston Festival – but when the much-loved author had to drop out, we were delighted that Grayson and Philippa Perry could take to the stage instead
June
Sunday 2nd – Artist Jackie Misson takes up residence in our garden, interviewing customers about their book memories.
Wednesday 5th – Kit Kemp book publication event at Charleston, raising funds for Fine Cell Work.
Friday 7th – Publisher Guy Lloyd entertains Readers Club members at our Literary Lock-in
Saturday 22nd – Book discussion: Ali Smith’s Spring
July
Friday 5th – Cole Morton (The Light Keeper) tunes up his guitar for our Literary Lock-in, offering one of the songs he wrote in conjunction with his novel.
Sunday 7th – Refugee Walk reaches Alfriston, thanks in part to our sponsorship
August
Friday 2nd – Seaford Contemporary Illustrators and Printmakers (SCIP) brings original work to our Literary Lock-in, preparing for their groundbreaking environmentally-themed show opening shortly in Seaford.
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th – We arranged the Firle Vintage Fair Books Pavilion, featuring speakers including Jacqueline Wilson, Dr. Alexandra Loske, Jo Fairley Sams and others.
Wednesday 14th – Sunday 18th – SCIP “Green Show”, partly thanks to our support
Sunday 15th – We hosted a visiting bookgroup from far-off Berwick
Sunday 25th – Infused author Henritta Lovell discusses tea, travels, and infusions during a remarkably gorgeous afternoon in our yard
September
Sunday 22nd – The youngest author to hold a launch event here, Eben MacDonald speaks to readers about his novel I am Heracles.
October
Friday 4th – Hannah Raworth and Stewart Graham-Hyde from Highdown Bindery bring examples of their extraordinary work to the Literary Lock-in
Saturday 5th – Bookshop Day
Saturday 19th – We hosted a day-long SCIP wrap-up meeting
Sunday 20th – Author Amantha Harris (A Beautiful Place) meets readers at a launch event
Friday 25th – Laurie Booth recites T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets
November
Friday 1st – Publisher Bethany Kershaw gives away books and publishing secrets at our Literary Lock-in
Friday 8th – Launch for Chelsea Renton’s A Field Guide to the Peoples of the British Isles
Saturday 9th – Bill Bryson celebrates publication of his latest book, The Body: A Guide for Occupants with a reading at Charleston
Friday 17th – Michael Farthing celebrates publication of Finding India with a launch event
Saturday 23rd – Salley Vickers reads from her new novel, Grandmothers
Friday 29th – Pudding Paradise in Alfriston! Chelsea Renton comes to sign books, and Anna Markwell bakes up a storm for our customers
December
Friday 6th – Martin Toseland entertains Readers Club member at our Literary Lock-in, with tales of his life as a ghost writer.
Saturday 14th – Crafter Debbie Siniska leads a free demonstration of rag rug-making
It was a memorable year - thanks for all our customers and supporters!