Nope, this is nothing to do with Barbara Woodhouse (those of you who are old enough to remember her) or even One Man and His Dog.
Try to picture a few hundred tipsy booksellers, authors and publishers staggering around central London, from Bloomsbury to Soho, via Hatchards, Foyles and other illustrious booksellers, dressed in fancy dress, buckets clanging with change, as they bounce along the pavements.
Yes, it’s The Book Trade Benevolent Society’s annual charity walk, “Walkies 2008″. A feast for the eyes of tourists and Londoners alike, and coming to the city this Tuesday 8th July.
I’ll be particularly sad to miss the Publishers Association/Publishers Licensing Society’s loved-up check point along the route – hosted in the gardens of the PLS offices in Gower Street, in conjunction with Mills & Boon. They promise to woo you with “pink cocktails, dreamy canapés, love hearts and even give you the chance to have your photo taken with a gorgeous Mills & Boon character!”
It’s the last Walkies ever, which has been running for years to generate support for the work of BTBS, who provide support to anyone who has worked a year or more in the book trade, whether as employee or freelance. This can include redundancy support, retraining grants, housing – whatever the need.
Contact the BTBS to find out how you can involved and the best of luck to all those taking part. Alternatively, you can donate online.
Sadly, I can’t make it this year, but I have fond memories of previous events. If I recall correctly, getting everyone around the course was more like herding cats than rounding up sheep.
Phew, what a night – 250 odd souls down in the vaults on the hottest day of the year networking their hearts out.
