Book Fair

Definitely a diary entry, today's blip.

Last day tomorrow of Edinburgh's George Street Christian Aid Book Fair. I nipped down at lunch time to see if there were some SMALL books of interest to buy (our flat just has no space left), and to visit my parents there, as they help out each year, sorting and pricing then selling the theatre books.

This year they had their very old friend the actor James Cairncross's library as well, donated by his sister following his death last year. I found two thin but interesting paperbacks in amongst the theatre volumes and biographies: "A Time to Keep Silence" by Patrick Leigh Fermor (a brilliant Anglo-Irish travel writer); and "A Grief Observed" by C.S.Lewis (there's rather too much around this year).

The photo is of three actors in a play about the setting up of New Town called "The Golden Age" by Donald MacKenzie: James (centre), Lennox Milne (left - Lamp of Lothian arts trust, Haddington) and my dad, Martin Heller (right).

The bibliophiles of Edinburgh and beyond love this annual event (started 1974). It has become quite an institution in the city's calendar, and raises many thousands of pounds each year. If you are in town, get down there before 3.30 tomorrow afternoon and find the book, map, LP, reference book.....that will change your life.