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A L Kennedy is patron for Christian Aid 'big book event'
Edinburgh marks 500 years of
the published word
The Christian Aid book
sale at St Andrew's & St George's
Church began its life on a very small scale in
1974 and has now become a national institution. The
year 2008 marks the 500th anniversary of Scottish printing
and publishing, and this year's event promises to be
a major celebration of literary Edinburgh, the city
"built on books" (Muriel Spark).
The Book Sale opens at 10.00am on Saturday 10 May and
- with the exception of Sunday 11 May - runs until the
following Friday (16 May).
The award-winning author, A
L Kennedy, will be he patron of the 2008 event.
Kennedy is one of Scotland's best know writers, and
was awarded both the Saltire Book of the Year prize
and the Costa Book of the Year award for her Second
World War novel, Day.
Ms Kennedy will be visiting
the church at 3 pm on
Thursday 8 May, when she
will meet some of the volunteers preparing the books
for sale. Some noteworthy items set to feature in the
Sale will be shown to her. During the patron's visit,
former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds will present Christian
Aid with a two-volume boxed set: Edinburgh:
World City of Literature. These handsome volumes
made up Edinburgh's UNESCO bid. They tell the story
of the City's literary past and present, as well as
giving the vision of the future. There was only a very
small edition of these volumes, and most copies were
given to delegates prior to the award of City of Literature
status in January 2005. The Christian Aid Book Sale
will be the first opportunity there has been to purchase
this rare set.
Among other items of local interest for sale will be
a set of eighty original Victorian street plans of Edinburgh,
as well as a fine volume issued to celebrate the laying
of the foundation of the new North Bridge in 1896, commissioned
by the Town Council (and printed by Banks & Co.
at the Grange Printing Works).
The St Andrew's and St George's Book Sale is the largest
single Christian Aid fund-raiser in the UK, with every
one of the last five events having raised over £100K
for the charity.
Ends.
Note to Editors:
1. Media are invited to attend at 3.00pm on Thursday
8 May, when this year's Patron, A
L Kennedy, will be visiting
St Andrew's & St George's Church, George Street, Edinburgh
(next to the George Hotel). During the visit Ms Kennedy
will be receiving the presentation from Councillor
Lesley Hinds.
2. As well as books, the Christian Aid Book Sale will
include maps, sheet music, records/CD/DVD material,
stamps, postcards and toys and games. In addition, simple
fare will be served throughout the event.
3. Please direct all enquires to the sale convener,
Mary Davidson, at 0131 556 2168 or 07714 186754.
nr/31/05/08
Tuesday 16, May 2008
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