KIRKDALE LIT FEST 2022
Another fabulous evening had with Matthew Caley and his new collection of poetry: Trawlerman’s Turquoise
It was an absolute treat having the Queen of South London herself, Candice Carty-Williams, come into the shop to sign copies of her best-selling book QUEENIE.
FRIDAY 17th MAY 2019
January 5th 2019
AUTHOR EVENT:
Sirilak Wichianpaisan, Cook Thai at Home
SATURDAY OCTOBER 6TH 2018
Photographs by Alex Bartsch, edited and designed
by Al Newman
AUTHOR EVENT:
Elizabeth Mundy In Strangers’ Houses
SATURDAY MARCH 10th 2018
In the first book of the Lena Szarka Series, Lena, a Hungarian cleaner, discovers her friend Timea has disappeared and she suspects one of her clients is to blame. However, the police don’t share her suspicions and it’s left to Lena to turn sleuth and find her friend.
September 28th 2017 @ 7.30pm
Judith Barrett
Out of the Fire: A Tale of the Jews of York
June 30th 2017 @ 8pm
Jonathan Coe
in conversation with
Matthew Sweet
March 1st 2017 @ 7.30pm
Paul Treacy’s
SE26: A Photographic Talk
Local photographer and visual storyteller, Paul Treacy, talking us through his fascinating working life, eventually leading him all the way back here to Sydenham.
February 22nd 2017, 7.30pm
Art Exhibition – Parallel Parables
We loved exhibiting the work of Bethe Bronson, Amelia Critchlow, Suzanne de Emmony and Laura Marker as part of our 50th birthday celebrations.
Wednesday December 7th 2016
Rachel Reeves
Alice in Westminster
The Political Life of Alice Bacon
We were joined by Rachel Reeves MP who presented her new book Alice in Westminster: The Political Life of Alice Bacon.
Alice Bacon was elected Labour MP for Leeds North East in the historic 1945 General Election and rose through the ranks over the succeeding years.
This was a time of intense social change, and Alice was directly involved in much of the legislation which permanently altered the country. This book tells her story – from the coalfields to the Commons!
Rachel Reeves was elected to represent Leeds West (neighbouring Alice Bacon’s constituency) in 2010. She is also a lifelong Sydenham resident and an alumna of Cator Park School.
(R.R.P £20)
Saturday
November 12th
Sophie Ambrose
The Lonely Giant
10.30am-11.30am
In the middle of a vast forest lives a giant who spends his days hurling and heaving, smashing and bashing. Over time, the animals flee as their homes vanish, the birdsong dwindles away to silence, and, finally, the forest itself disappears. Now the lonely giant misses the crackling warmth of a fire and the sweet songs of the
yellow bird — but will he realize it’s up to him to restore what he loves?
Book Launch:
Thursday 15th September 2016
7.30pm
Launch of The Life Assistance Agency, the first novel from Thomas Hocknell – coincidentally a local resident. The evening included drinks, a short reading by the author and a book signing!
(Paperback £8.99)
Poems, Pictures, and, Popcorn
Children’s Poetry at Kirkdale Bookshop
Read a poem!
Draw a picture!
Listen and enjoy!
Saturday 9th July
10.30am – 12pm & 2.30 – 4pm
Come and share your favourite children’s poems
All ages welcome
FREE
TALES OF WOMEN & THE VOTE
An illustrated talk by
Jad Adams
Friday 24th June 2016
7.30pm
Thrilling, and sometimes heartbreaking, stories of eight women who worked for political rights in Africa, Latin America, India, Australasia and Europe.
These brave and inspiring life stories of women’s suffrage pioneers – often fighting terrible odds – reveal startling new connections across time and national boundaries.
Jad Adams is a historian based in Forest Hill. He has written books about Tony Benn, Gandhi, Kipling – and the history of absinthe.
Signed copies can be reserved on request.
Kirkdale Bookshop Book Group
Olive Kitteridge
Elizabeth Strout
Wednesday 18th May 2016
7.30pm
for the rest of my life.’
—Evening Standard Books of the Year
—The New Yorker
Wednesday 23rd March, 7.30pm
Germinal
Émile Zola
Zola’s masterpiece of working life, Germinal (1885), exposes the inhuman conditions of miners in northern France in the 1860s. By Zola’s death in 1902 it had come to symbolise the call for freedom from oppression so forcefully that the crowd which gathered at his State funeral chanted ‘Germinal! Germinal!’.
The central figure, Etienne Lantier, is an outsider who enters the community and eventually leads his fellow-miners in a strike protesting against pay-cuts – a strike which becomes a losing battle against starvation, repression, and sabotage. Yet despite all the violence and disillusion which rock the mining community to its foundations, Lantier retains his belief in the ultimate germination of a new society, leading to a better world.
Join us for the fourth in our series of concerts.
SOLASTA
Tuesday 15th March 2016
7.30pm
An evening of live folk music with Solasta, the newly formed trio of cellist Hannah Thomas, award-winning fiddler Elisabeth Flett and guitarist Jamie Leeming.
With guest Mollie Lopresti on cajón.
Tickets: £10.00 / £8.00 concession (includes a glass of wine).
Reservations: mail@kirkdalebookshop.com
Tel: 020 8778 4701
272 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4RS
Matthew Caley launches his fifth collection, Rake (Bloodaxe).
Thursday 25th February 2016
7.30pm
Matthew’s début, Thirst, was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. His subsequent work, most recently the collection Apparently, has been met with great acclaim.
Rake is a spell-binding look at a social type which ought to be more familiar than it is, given today’s headlong drive to dissolution. Travelling across time and space, from ancient Egypt to the Wild West, these poems offer landscapes of desire and excess. Matthew Caley is a chameleon of poetic style and this collection is perfectly pitched between euphoria and desolation.
Matthew will be reading from Rake and signing copies of the book (available from us at £9.95).
‘Formally outrageous, culturally light-fingered, Caley’s vision and wit make for poems that turn a wondrous, great lamp on the inter-relatedness of all things. An important poet.’ – John Stammers
‘Gleeful cultural cannibalism. Hauntingly lovely, immaculately constructed. Apparently is one of those collections which makes you see the world as suddenly more complex, strange and fascinating.’ – Imogen Robertson, Poetry Book Society Online
‘Satirically playful, self-parodic, yes, but unable to conceal an emotional intelligence that lends depth and vulnerability to Caley’s voice even at moments of humour.’ – Jane Holland, Poetry Review
‘The most inventive user of the sonnet form currently writing.’ – Laurie Smith, Magma
Tickets: £3.00 (redeemable against book)
Reservations: mail@kirkdalebookshop.com
272 Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 4RS
Tel: 020 8778 4701
Gaia Vince
author of
Adventures in the Anthropocene
Winner of the
2015 Royal Society Winton
Prize for Science Books
Wednesday 27th January 2016
7.30pm
Growing evidence from around the globe leaves little doubt that we are living in a permanently changed world; a new geological age defined by the activities and industry of our own species. Scientists call this the Anthropocene: the Age of Humans.
What can we do to ensure that humanity can survive and thrive in this new age?
Gaia Vince has travelled the world to see just how people at the sharp end of these changes are developing new strategies for survival. The result is a book whose message is positive – we aren’t necessarily doomed, but we need to rethink our relationship with the biosphere.
Gaia will be reading from the book and will be happy to sign copies after the event. (You can reserve a signed copy if you can’t make it.)
Between Heaven & Earth
Journey into an extraordinary sound world
Wednesday 19th August 2015
Doors: 7.30pm
Local artist and performer Jeff Higley has played for many years with multiinstrumentalist/overtone singer Michael Ormiston and flautist Simon Desorgher of Colourscape. This unique performance features singing bowls, gongs, waterphone, bass flute, Mongolian horse-head fiddle, Indonesian anklungs, and Central Asian vocal overtone singing. Plus special guest.
The second in our new series of concerts promises to be haunting, beguiling and sometimes challenging.
SATURDAY JULY 11th 2015
ALICE IN WONDERLAND STORYTIME
AND FUN DAY
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF
ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND BY LEWIS CARROLL.
As part of the Sydenham Arts Festival and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, we are holding a special storytime and lots of games and activities. Come along and try crazy croquet, the dormouse and teapot game, pin the smile on the Cheshire Cat, and more!
Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite Wonderland character!
Any donations of cakes and jam tarts would be welcome!
…and watch out for the White Rabbit.
SATURDAY JULY 4th 201510.30-11am
Special Storytime with
The Queen of Hearts
& The Mad Hatter.
11am-4pm
Crazy Croquet,
Dormouse & Teapot Game,
Pin the Smile on the Cheshire Cat,
Spot the Difference, Wordsearch,
Colouring, & more!
SATURDAY JULY 11TH 2015
READING, Q&A, AND SIGNING
LONG SHOT SUMMER
1988: THE YEAR OF THE FOUR ENGLAND CRICKET CAPTAINS
NEIL ROBINSON
FRIDAY 26TH JUNE – 19.30
The Librarian at Lords, Neil Robinson, turns his attention to a summer of turmoil for English cricket. In the summer of 1988 England began its Test series against the mighty West Indies with a draw at Trent Bridge. Defeated 5-0 in each of its last two series against the world’s most fearsome cricket team, for England simply to avoid defeat and stand up to perhaps the greatest fast bowling attack in history seemed like a huge step in the right direction. But within days the team’s captain, Mike Gatting, had been sacked following a tabloid scandal. Over the remaining five Test matches that summer, England would select a further three captains and field a total of twenty-eight players as English cricket plunged into turmoil.
Using interviews with the main protagonists and contemporary reports, Neil Robinson reconstructs the events of an unparalleled summer for English cricket and asks: what was the truth behind the circumstances of Gatting’s dismissal? Why did a season of such promise descend into chaos? And what was the legacy of 1988 for the next generation of English cricketers?
HEARTSONG
The Jamie Leeming Trio feat. Emily Dankworth
Jamie Leeming: Guitar
Wednesday 3rd June 2015
Doors: 7.30pm
Jamie Leeming is a London-based guitarist and will be releasing his debut EP Heartsong in autumn 2015. The programme will feature intimate acoustic arrangements of music from the EP, as well as a collection of songs from around the world. Expect a unique and exciting blend of jazz, folk, pop, and world music.
SOLD OUT
Tickets: £10 (£8 before 31st May)
£5 students/concessions
Reservations
020 8778 4701
mail@kirkdalebookshop.com
 |
 Jonathan Gibbs signing copies of his fantastic novel ‘Randall’, he also gave a very entertaining reading.  Alexis Deacon came in on Saturday 5th July to give a very special Storytime. He read from his some of his books (including Beegu and Slow Loris) and he drew us a couple of animals based on what was called out by the audience (very unusual looking).        John Challis aka ‘Boycie’ signing his autobiography and new novel at the Bookshop, 16th November 2013:
  Our first Short Story Evening was a great success, details of the next one are to be confirmed shortly.
 Sydenham Street Celebration
As part of the Sydenham Arts Festival Street Celebration, we turned our patch green, with miniature garden making and a special outdoor storytime:
     Our 47th Birthday & Books Are My Bag Party:       Box Office open 17th June, by tickets now at http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.com  Cracking Cryptics, Monday 1st July 7.30pm, Kirkdale Bookshop A light-hearted look at cryptic crosswords
Tony Long has a distinguished career as a cryptic crossword-setter, with his puzzles appearing in various newspapers and magazines. Kirkdale Bookshop is hosting an evening with Tony, who will share tips and secrets about all things cryptic. You will have a chance to pit your wits against Tony’s clues. Whether a veteran at solving cryptics, or you’ve always wanted to try, this is an event not to be missed.
 Blake Morrison, Wednesday 3rd July 8pm, Sydenham School In conversation with Matthew Sweet
Award-winning author, journalist and poet Blake Morrison will be discussing his life and work with broadcaster and author Matthew Sweet. His books include The Last Weekend, South of the River, As If and the acclaimed memoir And When Did You Last See Your Father? made into a film starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent. He will read from his works and sign copies of his books.
 Welcome to Biscuit Land, Monday 8th July 8pm, St Christopher’s Hospice An evening with Touretteshero
It’s not often that Sydenham gets to host a bona fide superhero (well, apart from Shackleton maybe) – but tonight SAF is thrilled to welcome Touretteshero! After the success of her blog and book Welcome To Biscuitland, this is an opportunity to meet Jessica Thom, who will read and answer questions. A unique and hotly-tipped event.
 Write A Poem, Thursday 11th July 6.30pm, Kirkdale Bookshop With SAF’s Poet-in-Residence Gale Burns
Whether you are an old hand, or abeginner, hone your skills in a friendly setting with writing prompts, editing skills, and the insipration of published work. For adults and older teens.
 Benjamin Zephaniah and Guests, Saturday 13th July 7.30pm, Sydenham High School A rare chance to hear this iconic poet, musician and self-proclaimed troublemaker. Benjamin was the first person to perform with the Wailers after the death of Marley. His mission is to reach people who do not read books. Support acts include Hannah Lowe and Gale Burns.
    Tuesday 27th November 7pm Open Book Club  George Orwell’s Coming Up For Air  Our Open Book Club discussing Coming Up For Air Click here for our Summer 2012 Newsletter Every Picture Tells A Story: Work by Children’s Book Illustrators. 7th July-31st August 2012
 Open Book Club
At Kirkdale Bookshop
 Wednesday 19th September 2012
Reggae Going International 1967-1976:
The Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee Story Friday 3rd August 7-9pm
Local Author Noel Hawks (with Jah Floyd) will be coming in to talk about his fantastic new biography on the larger than life musician and producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee. It is the incredible story of how reggae went international.
 OPEN BOOK CLUB AT KIRKDALE BOOKSHOP  Wednesday 18th July 2012 7.30 pm Come along to our Open Book Club we’ll be discussing Alan Hollinghurst’s novel The Stranger’s Child. Full Festival information can be found atwww.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk
 Simone Lia Book Signing
Saturday 28th April 3.30-4.30pmWe are delighted to welcome Simone Lia, author of Dear God, Find Me A Husband(The Guardian’s Graphic Novel of the Month) to the shop on Saturday 28th of April. She will be signing copies of her hilarious new book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/interactive/2012/apr/19/simone-lia-graphic-novel-slideshow?CMP=twt_fd  WORLD BOOK NIGHT 23RD APRIL 2012 7-9pm Celebrate the magic of sharing stories and poems by candlelight Staff and customers will be reading bits from their favourite books by candlelight on the evening of the 23rd. Wine and nibbles, as well as free WBN selected books to give away. If you would like to do a short reading, please speak to a member of staff.
OPEN BOOK CLUB AT KIRKDALE BOOKSHOP
This month Sydenham is reading…
 Costa Novel Award Winner 2011 Wednesday 21st March 2012 7.30 pm Come along to our Open Book Club we’ll be discussing Andrew Miller’s novel Pure. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR DICKENS! A Celebration of the Life and Works of Mr Charles Dickens on the Occasion of his 200th Birthday Thank you to all those who made our Dickens Evening a huge success. It was wonderful to see so many people there -over 200!
 
 Dickens biscuits by icemybiscuit.com
OPEN BOOK CLUB
AT KIRKDALE BOOKSHOP This month Sydenham is reading…. 
Wednesday 18th January 2012
7.30 pm Come along to our Open Book Club we’ll be discussing Alex Wheatle’s novel Brixton Rock. Friday 2nd December 2011 Late Night Christmas Shopping  The shop (and others up and down the High Street) will be open late on the 2nd of December. There will be mince pies, mulled wine, a choir singing carols and 10% off all books, cards and gifts. See you then! Matthew Sweet will be talking about his book The West End Front Monday 12th December 2011 7.30pm  Radio 4’s Book of the Week. “Delightfully gossipy and often moving, it shines an affectionate search-light on an entirely forgotten chapter of World War II” ’ Mark Gatiss Lucy Faithfull Mother to Hundreds A Talk by the author Judith Niechcial  Monday 28th November 2011 7.30pm  Come Along to our Open Book Club when we will be discussing Carol Birch’s Booker Shortlisted novel Jamrach’s Menagerie. Explorer Henry Worsley gave a talk about his recent expedition to the South Pole, following the route of his ancestor 100 years before. His passion and enthusiasm were infectious, and he was kind enough to sign copies of his book.
Saturday 22nd October
2011 we are celebrating Kirkdale Bookshop’s Birthday!  We will be 45 years old!
(we opened in Oct 1966) To celebrate, we are giving all our customers 10% off. OPEN BOOK CLUB Wednesday 21st September 7.30pm  Come along to our Open Book Club when we’ll be discussing Jonathan Franzen’s novelFreedom. Saturday 2nd July  The creators of Stripy Horse, Karen Wall and Jim Helmore, came in to give a very special storytime as part of Sydenham Arts Festival, we all enjoyed it very much! Judge A Book By Its Cover  Penguin Cover Designer Coralie Bickford-Smith will be coming in to discuss and demonstrate the art of making a book’s cover. June 2010
Alice in Wonderland   Levi Roots book signing at Kirkdale Bookshop
 FRIDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2010 Late night shopping at Kirkdale Bookshop with mulled wine and mince pies. FRIDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2010 Sydenham Hallowe’en. Trick or treating takes place once again in the high street. Children (with parents) meet outside Gymophobics (Station approach) at 4pm. Everyone goes trick or treating around the local businesses (those with the “pumpkin” in the window), meeting back at the start at 4.45pm for fancy dress judging at 5pm.
SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2010 Kirkdale Bookshop’s 44th Birthday.
New mixed exhibition opening.
Exhibition finishes Dec 31st 2010
FRIDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2010
Local author and journalist Robert Trevor will be signing copies of his war memoir, Blitz Boy from 6pm. (£9.95 paperback). We have signed copies in the shop now. SATURDAY 7th AUGUST 2010 BEACH AT THE BOOKSHOP Kirkdale Bookshop once again transforms its pavement into a tropical beach complete with palm trees and deck-chairs. There will be storytelling sessions from poet Ronnie McGrath at 10.30 and 11.30 am. FREE. Plus live music from Sydenham’s answer to Stevie Wonder, Peter Caesar. 10-3pm.  Punch and Judy at ‘Beach at the Bookshop‘  SATURDAY 14th AUGUST 2010 CHILDREN’S POETRY JAMBOREE Come along and read your favourite poem – or maybe one you have written. Gale Burns will also be presenting the prize for the festival poetry competition.FREE. 3-4.30pm SATURDAY 3rd JULY 2010 The Annexe at Kirkdale Bookshop opens. Artists Mark Hill and Kate Shipp, whose Recycled House was open to the public during last year’s festival, transform the gallery into an opulent interior space from available resources.You are invited to donate interesting yet purposeless items by 25th June. Any enquiries please email shipp.hill@virgin.net. SATURDAY 17th JULY 2010 CHILDREN’S POETRY WORKSHOP with Orlaine Dee. Funny poems, sad poems, silly poems, happy poems. Read and write some and play some games to get your imagination working. Tickets £3.00. 3-5pm. SUNDAY 6th JUNE 2010 Alice in Wonderland Tea-Party in Kirkdale Care Centre garden, 3-5pm. Join Alice, The White Rabbit, The Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter for a magical afternoon of promenade theatre, children’s art activities and tea and cakes. Tickets £4 (inc a £1 bookshop voucher). MONDAY 14th JUNE 2010 Book Group Party – Kirkdale Bookshop invites you to discuss Sarah Waters’ gothic ghost story The Little Stranger. Have a glass of wine, join a book group, or even form one! 7.30pm. WEDNESDAY 16th JUNE 2010 Jad Adams: Gandhi, Naked Ambition Two years ago, local author Jad Adams talked about his book Absinthe: The Devil in the Bottle. This year, Jad will be discussing his latest book, detailing the legendary liberator of India’s battle with celibacy. The author will sign copies. Free event. 7.30pm. FRIDAY 18th JUNE 2010 Usborne Craft Workshop Author and illustrator Fiona Watt will be running another children’s doodle workshop this afternoon, for all under 12. 4-5.30pm. FREE. SATURDAY 19th JUNE 2010 Bookbinding Demonstration with Liz Howard Drop into the bookshop’s gallery as local bookbinder Liz Howard will be providing an insight into this highly skilled craft between 11.30-3.30pm. FREE EVENT. Kirkdale Bookshop Writers’ Group Readings Members of the bookshop’s very own writers’ group will be reading stories and poems at various locations around the shop. Tickets £4 (places limited so book early.) THURSDAY 1st APRIL 2010 Dame Cicely Saunders Concert Series at St Christopher’s Hospice. 7.30pm 020 8768 4747 (See brochure in Bookshop)
TUESDAY 9th MARCH 2010 Sydenham Society Talk: “Local Artists and Musicians” by local historian, Steve Grindlay. Details: www.sydenhamsociety.com SATURDAY 6th MARCH 2010 Special Stripy Horse Storytime for World Book Day. Jim Helmore & Karen Wall will be reading and signing copies of their new title Hold On Tight Stripy Horse, the third in their award-winning series. WEAR SOMETHING STRIPY SPECIAL WORLD BOOK DAY DOODLING AND COLOURING DROP-IN WORKSHOP 3.30pm – 5.30pm with Fiona Watt from Usborne Books 15th October 2005 A Dalek at the Bookshop!  DOCTOR Who fans posed with a Dalek at a bookshop’s birthday celebrations.
The Dalek invaded Kirkdale Bookshop, Kirkdale, Sydenham, on Saturday. The idea came to owner Geraldine Cox, 58, when the bookshop had a recent Harry Potter evening. She said: “We just thought it would be a bit of fun and it seems to have captured everyone’s imagination.” Ms Cox opened the shop in 1966 with her father Alec. They decided to open in Sydenham because there was no bookshop in the area at the time.  |
PISSARRO IN SOUTH EAST LONDON
