Book Launch at Caldbeck Parish Hall - A Great Success
Caldbeck & District Local History Society launched its new book Memories of Lakeland at Caldbeck Parish Hall on Saturday, 29th November at 2.0 pm. More than 200 members, invited guests and visitors crowded into the Hall on a frosty but sunny afternoon; and 286 books were sold. Together with the 230 books already taken by bookshops, this accounted, in just over one week, for more than half the initial print-run of 1000.
Dr Ron Davie, President, welcomed everyone to the launch. He first thanked those who had helped in the production of the book, notably, the 22 contributors and also his fellow co-editors, particularly John Price – whose expertise had been invaluable and who had taken the stunning photograph for the front cover – and Sally Vaux, who had been very effective on the marketing.side. In addition, he thanked members of the Society who had helped with the preparatory work and also those who would be working hard during the afternoon, including Evelyn Tickle and her helpers, serving the complimentary refreshments.
Ron Davie also welcomed representatives of local schools, societies, clubs and companies. Finally, he welcomed County Councillor Duncan Fairbairn, whose catchment covers Caldbeck and district, and who also chairs the Cumbria County Council’s Neighbourhood Forum which had made a welcome grant of £500 towards the project.
“I have used the word ‘project’ advisedly”, Ron Davie explained, “because the publication of the book is only the beginning of a process. The launch itself today is also a social and community occasion, and it is hoped that subsequent work with schools and local societies would help to raise awareness of local heritage.”
Amongst other activities planned for future years were the possible production of another book and perhaps a local heritage exhibition in the Parish Hall.
“However”, Ron Davie concluded, “today, the book is centre stage. The Society is very proud of its production; and the reception it has already received has confirmed both its quality and its interest.”
He conveyed good wishes for the book’s success from Chris Bonington, Hunter Davies and Melvyn Bragg, who were unfortunately unable to attend because of prior commitments. Lord Bragg, for whom the Society had been able to get an early copy from the printers, had commented: ‘What a treat to receive Memories of Lakeland. Caldbeck has always been one of my favourite villages and this is a wonderful companion. Over the past few decades the history of this country has increasingly been told by those who have lived through it and this is a notable contribution. The photographs are a fine reminder of past times and I would guess the whole enterprise has brought the community together and it gives the rest of us a rich history of Caldbeck.’
Finally, Kathleen Ashbridge thanked Ron Davie for his outstanding contribution to the book’s production.
The book is now on sale (£8.99) in bookshops in Carlisle, Keswick, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington and at local shops in Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket. |
