Books Are My Bag : Pop Up Bookshop : Riverfront Theatre : Screwpacket Writers

Will Cross writes about the Pop Up Bookshop at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport, South Wales: Members of Newport's Screwpacket Writers ( aka Screwpacket Playwrights) have taken part in a further appearance for the 'Books Are My Bag' Campaign to promote bookshops and authors. Under the banner of 'Book Midden Publishing' of Newport Will Cross and Monty Dart organised a pop up bookshop at Newport's Riverfront Theatre to tie in with the national campaign ( organised by the Book Sellers Association.) A very exciting time was had, with several Welsh writers and poets dropping by to support the campaign and have a photograph taken with a 'Books Are My Bag' bag. Among those appearing were authors John Briggs ( author of 'Newportrait' ); Daphne Condon ( author of 'Daphne's Story: The Long Journey From The Brick Building), William ( Will ) Cross ( author of 'The Abergavenny Witch Hunt', and 'Not Behind Lace Curtains' as well as books on the Carnarvons of Highclere ( read Downton Abbey ) and ( with writing partner Monty Dart) books on the Morgans of Tredegar House, Newport ; Monty Dart ( author of 'Who killed Dripping Lewis? The Pontypool Murder of 1939); David Mills ( author of 'The Williams Family of Maesruddud' ); Bernard Pearson ( author of 'Steaming Light : A Memoir of Commander John C Pearson OBE, RN'; William ( Bill Smith ) ( author of 'The History of the Tredegar Mineral Estate'). With special thanks also to a number of guests including Maureen B and Sue G who helped with setting up and manning the stalls. Our best customer was Deb Green who bought FIVE Books. Some secondhand books were sold raising a few pounds for charities. A small amount was raised also for 'THE FORGOTTEN' fund ( Screwpacket Playwrights are behind a Chartist Musical called 'THE FORGOTTEN', which will be seen at the Riverfront Theatre on 19th and 20th November, 2014. Also thanks to David Hando ( author of 'Fred J Hando, A Proud Son of Gwent' ) and Gerard Whyman ( author of 'Oddly Distracted'); Tom Dart for transport, Newport Council and Riverfront Theatre staff for logistics. The Book Sellers Association for bunting, balloons, posters etc. Members of the public who supported our appearance. Contact Will Cross for further details williecross@aol.com