I’d been
asked to help with the book stall … and despite the drizzly day the hoards were
there to garner up many bargains …
... the
September Festival seems to be a great place for bargain hunters to snap up any
number of interesting items …
 |
| The vicar would be attending! |
… including
offering a venue – where ‘The Vicar is
IN’ - for 5c: seems that a donation might be suitable too – actually from what I
could see the whole Festival was very well organised and happily run by the many
volunteers … who were taking care with their stalls …
 |
| St John's Church when the sun deigned to appear briefly right at the end of the afternoon, before the rain came down |
Clothing,
Yard Sale, Best Buys: Jewellery – spelt correctly here!!
Bake Sale, Divine Desserts – spelt correctly here too!
Food at the
Church, the desserts and drinks, a wood-fired burger bar
Silent Auction,
Children’s Fun Area
St John’s
Church, Pastoral Centre, the Ministry;
Country
store … and outside the entrance or exit – the book stall …
 |
| The book stall ... |
… people on
their way out were piling past our book-stall loaded with goodies – then the
books caught their eye, and they had to come back … ‘we’ (the books) made over
$1,200 … a goodly sum …
 |
| The back courtyard - very early |
On the
Friday, 24 hours before the Festival – the awnings were put up, the books were out, then the extra sorting carried
on til late pm … we were given lunch – I had leek and potato soup – which happily
filled my cockles!
 |
| Chilli - mine looked as good ... this is c/o Wiki |
A lunch voucher
was available on festival day: I had chilli-con-carne – food for my soul as it
was cool and damp … after that I was able to wander round the stalls for a
quick look – but my corner was with
the books …
 |
| The crowds had gathered ... |
There were a
lot of books … and mostly all was well – but a few books almost become uncategorisable … as I would put one
there, then another volunteer would think – oh no … that should be there … and
so it went – until everything was in its place.
Then the trestle tables were covered overnight with tarpaulins against (this
year) the weather …
 |
| The banners ... someone's spelling isn't very good! |
An
example: Near the end a chap came up and
asked for a book about England by an author under ‘L’ – luckily I’d spotted
what I was fairly certain he was looking for … except it had got moved to
history (but that was understandable) …
… it was London by Edward Rutherford and earlier
on he’d have found it under ‘R’: he was happy it was still available.
 |
| The piper got us under way - and piped us out ... lovely to hear |
I’d been seconded
to ‘sell’ bags for books … ie fill your bag for $15 – I quite enjoy doing that
sort of thing … so I spent a few hours using my English stentorian voice to
broadcast our wares!
We did sell
a lot of books, and I can be quite pressing in situations like that – always happily
smiling, with a joke to hand … but the remainder of the books – well there’s
always another story to tell … see Friday’s We Are The World Blogfest … InDarkness, Be Light …
 |
| The graveyard at St John's |
Hilary
Melton-Butcher
Positive
Letters Inspirational Stories
43 comments:
That was a good haul on book sales.
The Vicar is in - 5 cents. Funny! The Peanuts gang approves.
$1,200 is a very nice amount of money to make. Well done!
Sounds like a fun day.
how fun and nice to know books got a new home. Sounds like you earned your food ticket, and no doubt slept well that night. Sales is hard work! (and it's just amusing to deal with people. stories to tell I'm sure, even when selling for a good cause) Have a good week
Sounds like a successful event, Hilary. And definitely the time of year for hearty soups and chilis!
Love to go to events like this - you never know what you might find.
I love bookstalls like yours - you wouldn't have to press me to grab books by the handfuls :) the food sounds wonderful too.
It is good to hear that books are still so popular and that kindle has not taken over the world. Sounds like you had fun. Diane
Hari Om
that's my kind of event! YAM xx
I absolutely adore a good yard sale, and plan to have one for our veterans later in October. I would have been one of the people contributing to that $1200 book haul I'm afraid(lol) When I see books I can't seem to help myself. Kudos on making so much, and hope you had loads of fun! Hugs and Happy Tuesday! RO
So many treasures to find in sales like that.
That Chili-con-carne looks excellent--great to hear about this sale--I trawl sales like these--so many trinkets that can serve as writing prompts!
Damyanti
@ Alex - it was a good result and I enjoy seeing the Ministry's venue as part of the whole. Unfortunately I was too far away to see anyone having a chat ... and am so glad the Peanuts gang approves.
@ Arlene - thanks they seemed really pleased with the books being sold so easily ... the organisers did a really good job: they have it down to a fine art.
@ Liz - despite the chill and damp ... it was fun.
@ Joanne - yes ... lots of books got new homes - which is really cheering to see. Sales is hard work ... but this was fun - one just encouraged people to buy ... getting a few more books in the bargain. Yes I did sleep happily!
@ Ian - they seem to be well known for the event ... and there were lots of soups for the chills - love them.
@ John - you never know what might appear ... I got a few books ... but didn't really need anything else - others were happy though.
@ Nila - there were some good books there too ... the Church is well organised ...
@ Diane - yes ... the kids were excited too ... it'll be interesting to see where Kindle gets to. It was an enlightening experience ...
@ Yam - it is obviously a lot of people's event ... and was very well attended ...
@ RO - that's good to read about the Veteran's sale in October. Some people made beelines for the books. I'm just pleased it was so successful ...
@ Diane - there certainly can be treasures to be found - and I saw some very happy people leaving the event ...
@ Damyanti - the chilli was good; I'd have liked to have had a better look around ... but time was not on my side for that. However as you say lots of ideas for writing stories ...
Thanks so much for your comments - the books will be enjoyed by many, while the Church has extra funds to help others in need ... cheers Hilary
That looks really fun, Hilary. We need one here in California.
Nothing like a good book stall! That’s an amazing amount to make, well done.
Wow, the book stall earned a lot. I like the bag pipes. Not many do.
Well done on raising so much Hilary - I love book stalls - there's always a gem or two to be found - sounds like a good festival and you're well established there now. Fil
You did so well selling those books. Well done you!
Love the "Vicar Is In - 5 cents"!
You will make me look up that book about London, it must be good. x
I love markets with book stalls because I love books
Somehow, it never occurred to me to apply the word "stentorian" to your voice, Miz Hilary.
(And frankly, I'm not sure I can start now!) ;-D
Great book selling. Mmm, on both your lunches. I love soup and chili. Just had chili for dinner.
How wonderful. And what fun.
What a fabulous project Hilary. And sounds like you had lots of fun doing it. :)
@ Jacqui - I'm surprised there aren't church 'fetes' / book stalls down in your neck of the woods - i.e. California ... this one seems to have got a good reputation ...
@ Anabel - absolutely so good to see such a variety of books out there ... I didn't do anything except be around and help - all organised by others ...
@ Donna - I'm not sure what I'd expected as I'm a newbie over here ... but they did well apparently. I can't even claim any credit either ... I was helping out. The bagpipes were a great addition to the opening and closing of the event ... I enjoyed them too ...
@ Fil - I absolutely cannot claim any credit for the sales - I was just there making sure I could help where needed with the preparation of the books, and then making sure a lot of books were bought ...
The lady who organised the books ... is the person who introduced me to the book club ... and then I met another couple of book club members scouting out the books ... makes it fun ...
@ Kay - I just do my thing ... and encourage people to buy - when it's for charity .. it is easier: one can push a little. I should have been around to see who visited the vicar ... but the books and lunch were my priority!.
That's good - Edward Rutherfurd wrote 'Sarum' which is about Salisbury ... and he's gone on to produce other epic books along the same lines as Sarum ... eg London - he comes highly recommended - so I need to read both of those books ... his others I may need to wait to get to - but I'm sure you'll enjoy London ... I read his Wiki page - which enlightened me further ...
@ Jo-Anne - that's great ... loving books is always a very good reason for visiting book stalls!
@ Jz - don't worry ... I don't normally speak in a "stentorian" voice ... it's only when I need to garner attention that it tends to become stentorian - like a teacher's ... or a doctor's - so I've been told ... though I am neither. So please: I'm just me - with my 'lovely English lilting voice'!!!!???!! I'm me!!
@ Mary - I'm quite good in a volunteer situation ... just gently encouraging everyone to buy more! Both lunches were good - especially as I didn't have to do anything towards them ...
@ Sandra - it was fun and wonderful - how right you are ...
@ Debby - yes it was fun to join in ... I enjoy doing that sort of thing - something to get my teeth into ... while learning at the same time.
Thanks so much for visiting - the Church and volunteers do so much to make this event so worth while ... cheers Hilary
I love the description of your book stall, Hilary. Would have loved to have heard your stentorian tones ringing out! I am currently faced with several boxes of hardback books left over from my sister's hoard. The ones that did not go to charity on her death, now languish in my barn, waiting for me to sift through.
I daresay I will have to knuckle down and catalogue them. Some have sentimental value from our childhood, but others may be wonderful to give to charity or maybe I need to set up a stall! :-)
It sounds like a lovely festival. And yay for books! They always draw me in. :)
You did do well didn't you? That is quite a lot of money to raise.
As for the spelling, not everyone in North America would agree with you.
I'd say that's a 'goodly' amount! I love events like this, a little bit of everything and something for everyone. A drizzly day sounds fabulous as we're still sweltering here in the Arizona desert.
"English stentorian voice" - ha! Somehow I can't imagine it of you, but I'm glad you enjoyed ;-)
Well done you, Hilary! That's an impressive sum! I'd love to hear your stentorian voice. I think I'd have gone home with two $15 dollar bags. I'm such a sucker for books!
Sounds like a fun day and charming event overall. I would definitely have spent a great deal of time at your stall, and I've no doubt I'd have come away with a bag (or two).
Good chili and lots of good books. My kind of place...:)
@ Debby - there were a lot of regular volunteers there - I was just the added extra ... doing my bit.
I remember your sister - and I'm sure some of those books you will love to keep ... but on Friday I'll be doing another post about books and where they can go to - might suit you. I'm sure there'll be some family ones you'll want to keep for the future generations - anyway good luck with that project ... nice one to have (perhaps)!
@ Christine - it was a good day ... and people were drawn in ...
@ Jo - nothing really to do with me - I just did my bit helping out. I know re spelling - what frustrated me was the banners were spelt differently from the Notice ...
@ Diedre - yes I think everyone was pleased, and perhaps not having the sun out made it easier to wander around. I'm sure the Arizona sun is pretty melting! - not my scene for long.
I've sort of called my voice that ... when I need to get decisions, or people paying attention to a promotion or something ... so "stentorian" it is - one day you'll all find out.
@ Val - wish it was me ... I just added my helping hands and voice. Some people definitely went home with more than one bag full - worth it ...
@ Deborah - it was a very happy event ... with lots of folk milling around, buying, lugging to the car and then coming back - all good for the Church. It's a good thing the car parking is nearby - for those with extra loads.
@ Troutbirder - yup ... good chilli and lots of good books - I managed to find a few ...
Thank you for visiting ... always good to see you all. Cheers Hilary
That sounds like a wonderful event. Awesome about all the book sales. Wow! Definitely looks like soup and chili weather to me. Glad you had such fun too. :)
~Jess
you sure had a full day at the Festival. sounds like you had a fun and busy day. wow..lots of money for books. i'd sure like to here you using your English stentorian voice to announce the wares. bet you got a lot of attention. so nice of you to help the church.
...hugs
I would have bought a lot of books - it's something I do. They would probably be added to my 'to read' pile which gets bigger by the day. But my fingers would have been firmly in my ears when the piper got blowing!
That's my kind of event! That was sweet of you to help out and it sounds like lots of money was raised for a good cause.
I love that everyone came together for such a good cause. I love even more how much the event made. That's awesome. What a great time, even with those grey skies.
Elsie
@ Jess - it was an amazing event. They are very well organised - it was easy to slip in and help as needed. It was great not having to think about lunch either day - good choices too. Yes I enjoyed it.
@ Lenny - it was a fun time ... and was busy - though I wasn't as busy as some - but kept myself occupied. When I want to be heard ... I can be 'stentorian' and people did notice and take cognisance and advantage of the 'bag-offer'. The church is at the centre of the small local community of Cobble Hill - it's good to be involved while I'm here ...
@ Keith - I did buy some books ... and my TBR is enormous. The bagpiper is very proficient ... must be the Scottish heritage that abounds here ... and it was a good opening as well as a grand finale to the day ...
@ Elizabeth - yes this was particularly gratifying; I do enjoy helping others and doing what I can when I can. I'm sure they put their funds to very sensible and good causes ...
@ Elsie - the books seem to be a feature ... so it was really good to know the tally from the books was a reasonable sum. It was a grand event ... eagerly anticipated by many who came to buy.
Thanks everyone for commenting and appreciating the work the Church members and volunteers put in to helping ... cheers Hilary
Festivals are so much fun when the weather starts turning cooler. (We're still waiting for that to happen here...) It's outstanding that you were able to make so much money for the cause by selling books. I'm afraid if I'd been there, I would've bought almost as many as I sold. :)
Cheers!
That's a lot of money for book sales. Our local library is having one next week. I hope to go. Love when I can fill a bag.
Outdoor stalls selling second hand books are great fun. Even if 98% of the books are not to my taste, I can almost always find a treasure or two to make all the rummaging worth while. This year I found an early Pevsner at a book sale - a real treasure.
Oooh, that sounds like the whole day was so much fun! I love a good book sale, and when food is included, that's just icing on the cake (or chili in my tummy, which sounds fabulous). It seems like that day was tailor-made for your interests and book-selling skills, Hilary. Glad you had a great time of it. And the pictures just look so happy!
@ Susan - I rather wish I'd had time to wander around a bit more and take a look - but perhaps next year I'll make a plan. I personally cannot take any credit for the sales - I just made sure everyone knew about the offer ... and encouraged all to buy ... the Church members organised it all, I was a willing helper.
It's now delightfully warm here ... but I know cooler weather is coming ... not my favourite!
@ Susan - there seems to be ... all us readers and book lovers get drawn in. Yes I remember the library in Eastbourne they used to have book sales and I'm sure they must do that here. I've never come across the 'fill a bag' idea before - but it certainly worked ...
@ Hels - there's lots of parking so it was easy to buy and put in the car, then come back to visit the other stalls and buy more ... the festival certainly seemed well attended. Yes, I found a couple of treasures - one has gone out to a bookclub member ... gosh that was lucky to find a Pevsner book ... wonderful, as you say a real treasure.
@ Lynda - I enjoyed the three half days I put in .. I enjoy helping out ... and yes it was nice to know food was included. The chilli was particularly good. Probably the day suited me ... I'm quite good at 'asking' for money when it comes to charity ... or a good cause. Thanks re the pictures ... it sort of tells the storyline too ..
Cheers to you all - the Church was pleased and are now able to put the money raised to help others in the community - thanks for commenting - Hilary
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