A few books about

How to tell you are at a Book Event!

‘Words by the Water’, back again at the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick after two years and it was so good to be back. We chose to go to ‘Bookcase Day’, which is where Stephen Matthews of Bookends Book Shops and Bookcase Publishers introduces books he has recently published, all of local interest. We bought Studio Day Tickets and went to all five talks.

We started with David Wilcock and a talk describing the way geology, nature and man have shaped the Cumbrian landscape we know today. This was excellent, with some brilliant photography illustrating every point. Of course he ended with the devastating impact humans have had.

Then Michael Mullet introduced the sixth volume of his impressive account of the history of Penrith. A hugely entertaining description of some of the factors in the 20th century that have shaped the Penrith of today.

After a surprisingly good lunch in the restaurant next door we returned to Stephen Matthews himself sharing his enthusiasm for the engraver Thomas Bewick, in particular his tiny vignettes that give a picture of 18th century Northumberland life.

Then we had Peter Roebuck about the history of cattle droving in South West Scotland and Cumbria. Having done my own research on drove roads I found this fascinating. And finally David Crackanthorpe gave a talk on Pele towers of Cumbria accompanied by wonderful photographs taken by Simon Ledingham from his gyrocopter.

A good day . . . and books were bought.