23/08/2011

Issued by Harewood House

Proceeds from the book shop will be farmed back into the Trust, benefitting education, the gardens, the bird garden, and the house and collections, but more importantly it provides a great place to read, relax and not too far from the madding crowd, located within the heart of the visitor facilities in Terrace Cottage situated between the Adventure Playground and the Geopods.

Harewood has already set the standard in promoting literacy with their regular series of storytelling events and talks on a wide range of subjects, and the book shop fits nicely into Harewood's ethos as an educational charitable trust and promoting the joys of all things literary. The money raised will also be used to expand their offer with regular reading groups, talks and activities and opportunities for all visitors to grow or reignite a love of books.

Harewood is looking for more volunteers to run the book shop and, Audrey Kingsnorth, who is working with the team says: ‘If you have a love of books and like people, with a few hours a week to spare, then we want to meet you! We are also appealing for good quality paper and hard back books, especially current fiction and non-fiction, autobiographies, children's books for all ages, DVDs and CDs. The shop is open between 11am and 3pm every day, and donors can drop off their books at Visitor Reception on the main entrance drive in to the Grounds any day when Harewood is open. It's time to de-clutter and there's no better tonic.'

Mike Schafer, Chief Executive at Harewood, launched a similar offer at Culzean Castle, and wants to repeat the success at Harewood. Says Mike: ‘Education and the environment are key elements in our programme and the book shop combines all our priorities. There is a great range of books for all and an area to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee whilst browsing the shelves. We are using paper cups - which can be recycled in the Walled Garden for growing seedlings - it's a nice idea and one that we think works well here at Harewood but for this to be as successful as possible, we need more volunteers to give up 3 to 4 hours a week and join us to run the book shop. It's a great opportunity for book-loving individuals or friends with some time to spare, and a chance to join our volunteer community and enjoy the benefits of volunteering at Harewood. What better way to spend your time, passing on a love of books and meeting new people. It'll be a struggle to get me back to my office!'

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Volunteers for the book shop, the house and grounds, can find out more information on line www.harewood.org  or by calling Sarah Irwin-Davis on 0113 218 1039. For more press information on the book shop, call Kendra Grahame-Clarke at Kendra PR on 07910 214474 or Sarah Gough on 01904 234752.