KIRKDALE BOOKSHOP IN SYDENHAM
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Local Councillor Chris Best with the actors... CHRISTMAS 2009 We held our special Christmas event on Friday December 4th between 4pm and 9pm, not knowing quite what to expect. As we were offering 10% off everything in the shop and readings from Dickens' Christmas Carol, it was difficult to know how to organise it. On the night, however, it was great fun, with four fantastic actors performing amongst the customers in the shop. The book was divided into six episodes, interrupting the Christmas shopping every 15 minutes. With the mulled wine and the mince pies and a special lucky dip for the children, I think everyone came away feeling a little bit more Christmassy! (But we forgot to take any pictures!)
Sydenham Arts Festival 3rd-12th July 2008 The very first Sydenham Arts Festival took place in July. Click on the link below to visit the festival's website. Children enjoying Sue Eves and puppet friend, reading from her new picture book The Quiet Woman and the Noisy Dog on Saturday 28th February, as part of our World Book Day celebrations. Published by Andersen Press @ £10.99 Sue Eves and "Woofy" outside Kirkdale Bookshop. ........................................................
Kirkdale Bookshop was 42 on Saturday 18th October 2008 To celebrate the shop's birthday on Saturday 18th October 2008, members of the Writers' Group read stories, plays and poems from their anthology 42: Life, The Universe and Everything to an audience of more than sixty loyal customers. Moving about the shop promenade style, the audience were treated to stories about vampire commuters and man-eating crocodiles, as well as plays featuring gun-toting teenagers and time-travelling soldiers. The evening was a great success and will be followed by publication of the anthology in December.
An Evening with Paul Kieve November 2008 To coincide with the launch of Paul's book Hocus Pocus in paperback, the author gave an illustrated talk on the history of magic and performed some startling illusions. Paul is a world-renowned illusionist and magic consultant in the West End. Recently he was physical magic consultant to Daniel Radcliffe and the Harry Potter films.
Look Out Stripy Horse! Special Stripy Storytime Award winning local children's authors Jim Helmore and Karen Wall visited the shop to read their latest children's book, Look Out Stripy Horse! on Saturday 27th September. Over twenty children dressed in stripy clothes joined in the fun and Jim and Karen signed copies for over an hour.
A Midsummer Night's Dream staged in the Dolphin Garden by Jonathan Kaufman and Spontaneous Productions (formerly Kirkdale Bookshop Theatre Company) Sara McAuley as Moth Karl Edrik as Bottom, GB as The Wall and Dan Crowley as Flute (photographs by Ann Pownall) see link below
The Dictator's Wife One-off one woman play by Mohammed Hanif 2nd August 2008 Nimra Bucha, wife of Mohammed Hanif as The Dictator's Wife On Saturday 2nd August Hanif's play The Dictator's Wife was premiered at Kirkdale Bookshop for a one-off, Edinburgh preview performance. Performed by Hanif's wife Nimra Bucha, the play was a comic look at the private life of the sixth most powerful man in the world. Up to forty customers crammed into the front of the shop, enduring sweltering temperatures, to enjoy a thoroughly entertaining evening.
Egyptian Mask Workshop August 2008 Children enjoyed making Anubis masks in Juliet Desailly's workshop
Independent Booksellers' Week 1st - 8th July 2008 Author Mohammed Hanif LOCAL AUTHOR MAKES BOOKER PRIZE LONGLIST! Sydenham-based author, Mohammed Hanif has been longlisted by the judges of the Man Booker Prize 2008 for his novel A Case of Exploding Mangoes. Hanif read from and signed copies of his novel as part of our celebrations for Independent Booksellers' Week in July.
Hanif signs copies of his book A Case of Exploding Mangoes Author Michael Hodges signs copies of his book AK47: The People's Gun Jad Adams signs copies of his book Hideous Absinthe Jad Adams and Geraldine Cox trying a drop of 'the green fairy' Jonathan serving up a feast on Sydenham Beach A game of catch on the beach Geraldine's grand-daughter Chloe busy making sandcastles on Sydenham Beach Vegetables - Caribbean stylee! Turning the Pages Theatrical evening October 2007 Fiona Alderton and Will Davies as Alice Liddell and Lewis Carroll Will Birch and Fiona Whitelaw in Pageturners Debbie Garvey and Paul Fagan as Mother & Father Bear Martin Plews, Orlaine McDonald and Will Birch in TeenReads by Will Davies Fiona Whitelaw as Jane Rochester (nee Eyre) and Fiona Alderton as Elizabeth Darcy (nee Bennet) in Reader I Married Him by Jane Wiley Harry Potter Midnight Party A real Nimbus 2000 (as used in the movie!) and its reluctant rider Strange things happen at midnight! Last Ever Midnight Harry Potter Party window First in the queue! An expectant queue waiting for midnight... Another view of the queue... Last Ever Harry Potter Party window display Witching hour
40th Birthday Party Kirkdale Bookshop celebrated its 40th birthday in October 2006 with a big party for its loyal customers
Father Christmas visit The man himself Santa and a couple of his elves? Esmerelda the Elf lends a hand Are those eyebrows for real? First in the queue! Sydenham Winter Festival Altogether now! Hallowe'en Hallowe'en was a real scream... 24 Hour Reading Challenge As part of Get London Reading customers and staff took turns reading aloud the whole of Peter Ackroyd's London: The Biography, during one 24-hour period in March 2006. Andrew Flynn kicks off proceedings at 9am on Saturday Words words words... Geraldine reaches Chapter 49 at 1am in the morning! So many volunteers, so little time...
Dalek Visit 2005 To celebrate its 39th birthday the shop was visited by a Dalek, as used in the original television series The Doctor's 11th incarnation? Exterminate! Help! Earthling children! Lewisham Business Awards 2005 The Mayor pays a visit to the winner of Lewisham Business Awards Best Customer Service 2005 The Gruffalo Visit A new friend A hug for the Gruffalo Chrissie Gittins book signing |






















































