East Grinstead Bookshop
This October, we talk to Helen at the East Grinstead Bookshop. The shop is in a Tudor building, filled with historic features, and found in its namesake town in West Sussex. We chat about books, their inventive Book Spa, which title they would recommend from the last year, and chess! Read on to find out more.
1. Tell us more about the bookshop – how did it come into being and has much changed in that time? How does chess fit in?
The Bookshop was founded in 1947 and has been owned by John Pye for 35 years. In his time virtually everything has changed, except the books which remain as magical today as they always have been.
Ten years ago, John discovered that there was nowhere local for children to come and play chess. Since then, our Chess tables on the High Street, and upstairs in The Bookshop, have become an integral part not only of The Bookshop but also of East Grinstead. Twelve children have now represented the England national chess team and played in tournaments throughout Europe. Chess is played at our tables every single day by both adults and juniors.
2. What’s it like running a bookshop in East Grinstead?
Challenging, rewarding and great fun!
3. Your Book Spa sounds interesting – how did it come about?
So often are we asked for recommendations that we decided to offer a dedicated one-to-one event. Little could we have known people’s great appetite for it, some travelling great distances to enjoy an afternoon with tea and brownies, and plenty of book chat.
4. If you had to pick one book published in the last year to recommend, which would it be?
Volker Leppin’s ‘St Francis of Assisi’ is our favourite book from Yale this year.
John’s all-time favourite is ‘The Yellow Lighted Bookshop’, whilst Helen’s is ‘Cuddy’ by Benjamin Myers, a novel about the building of Durham Cathedral (where she went to University!).
5. And last, but not least, do you have any exciting plans for the shop in the coming months that you would like to share with us?
Father Christmas is coming, as he always does.
As the only Independent Bookshop on the Ashdown Forest we are very much looking forward to our Literary Lunch to celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 100th Birthday.
In October we will reveal our Christmas programme which will include Father Christmas himself, mince-pies, merriment and music, as well as walks, wine and quizzes. Not to mention the sale of hundreds and hundreds of wonderful, magical books!