Readingcircle history

A Helmdon Reading Circle was established in July 1999 to enable members to share the joy of reading. Ten members meet on the first Monday of every month, with the meeting being held in the home of the person who had selected the book for that month. The meetings are usually about two and a half hours long. As a group it was agreed that we did not want to read any science fiction or horror stories and that all books were subject to a limit of 500 pages. So far, we have read, amongst others, Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud, Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, Sold by Zana Muhsen, and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. The club has proved to be extremely successful and enjoyable.

Reading Group II.

With the first reading group fully subscribed a second group has started (currently taking no new menbers). We choose a book a month, up to three months in advance. We meet once a month in each others’ houses to discuss the relevant book. We usually have wine and refreshments at these gatherings. Last year some of us attended a Literary festival and it is hoped to repeat that next year and add theatre visits and cinema visits to our programme.

If anybody is interested in finding out if there is a vacancy, or would like to know more about the Reading Group or would like to set up their own, please contact me on [phone number removed].

In November 2006 we discussed a book written by a resident of Helmdon, Jean Spendlove. The book is called For Freedom to be Equal, and is set in Rennes in the time of the French Revolution. Jean attended the meeting so we were able to ask questions and discuss her work. Most of the book club ended up purchasing the book that Jean so kindly lent us to read. We are now hoping she will complete the follow-on book.

Jean Simmonds

Notes for members:

2008

7th January Meeting at Alex’s. Take a favourite poem, with copies for the group and a plate of “nibbles”.

14th January Film trip to see The Kite Runner

4th February Meeting at Carol’s. North and South (Mrs Gaskell).

3rd March Meeting at Lynn’s. Star of the Sea (Joseph O’Connor)

8th March Kings Sutton Literary Festival – visit (contact Ann or Carol)

10th March Film trip to see The Other Boleyn Girl Cancelled

7th April Meeting at Ann’s. Fair Stood The Wind For France (H E Bates)

12th May Meeting at Gill’s Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)