BOOK SIGNING NOVEMBER 10

Adrian Holloway will be at the Dartmouth Community Bookshop to sign the new edition of his book at 2pm on November 10.

‘Dartmouth to War A Midshipman in the Mediterranean 1940-41’ is an account of Mr Holloway’s wartime experiences at sea. He attended the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and in 1940 at the age of 17 joined HMS Valiant as a Midshipman, sharing a gunroom with fellow midshipman, HRH Prince Philip, who has written a foreword to this book.

Mr Holloway served on HMS Valiant, HMS Suffolk and HMS Indomitable, fighting in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the Pacific, and taking part in the surrender of Hong Kong. He was with the Mediterranean Fleet providing cover for the Fleet Air Arm's raid on Taranto, was at the Battle of Matapan and took part in the evacuation of Crete. He witnessed the sinking of HMS Barham, and was on board Valiant when Italian frogmen mined her in Alexandria Harbour in 1941. Mr Holloway presents a fascinating first-hand account of the war at sea, vividly recalling what it was like to be in battle whilst still little more than a schoolboy. He describes the transition from the safety of Dartmouth to the terror and confusion of the open ocean, when Britain stood alone against the Axis. Complete with personal photographs, track charts and naval signals, this book provides an invaluable insight into the wartime activities of a junior officer.

Update on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 1:14PM by Kathy Stansfield

Save & Close

A photo of 90-year old Adrian Holloway signing his books at the shop on 10 November.

You can buy signed copies of Dartmouth to War from the shop.

We are at the Dartmouth Food Festival

We are looking forward to running the book tent in Royal Avenue Gardens at the Dartmouth Food Festival which runs from October 25-28. Come and see our wonderful selection of cookery books by local and visiting chefs. They range from puddings and pastries to recipes from exotic places. You can get your purchases signed after the demonstrations - we are right next to the demo area. We will also have a good selection of current best selling cookery books by celebrity chefs and a collection of of second hand cookery books for sale.

See you there!

Community bookshop fund raising

We have raised over half the  £50,000 funds we need for the community bookshop by selling shares. Thank you so much to those who have contributed!

You can still buy shares for £20 up to £20,000. Reaching our target will mean that we can improve our stock and our premises, and develop outreach services with the community. The campaign runs until May16 2011.

We had our first book launch in the shop on February 16 when 50 people came - quite a shop full! The book was Thomas Newcomen of Dartmouth and the Engine that Changed the World, written by Eric Preston and funded by the Dartmouth History Research Group and the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society (It costs  £4.95 from the bookshop). This was the first event in the town's celebration of 300 years since the birth of this inventor whose steam engine can be seen as the start of the Industrial Revolution. Lots more events to come in July.

SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY BOOKSHOP

Update on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:01AM by Kathy Stansfield

We have launched our campaign to raise £50,000 for the community bookshop by selling shares until Friday March 16 2011.

You can buy shares for £20 up to £20,000. Reaching our target will mean that we can improve our stock and our premises, and develop outreach services with the community.

An information pack with lots more information is available at the shop or can be sent by email if you contact us. Or have a chat to the Chairman: tel 01803 834184, or email anthony.fyson@gmail.com

We are grateful for the support in our first weeks and want to build on our initial success. We are convinced that this not-for-profit private project run by volunteers is of the greatest importance to Dartmouth as a centre of culture, entertainment, healthy trade and shopping variety to rival its neighbours.

OPEN now every day until Christmas

We are pleased to see so many people, locals and visitors, glad to see a friendly bookshop once again in Dartmouth. Our volunteers are learning fast about running a bookshop under Andrea's patient direction!

We have a good selection of the latest bestsellers plus some more unusual titles, and you can order books from us.  Our stock includes lots of lovely children's books and a variety of books - fiction, biography and special interest, for adults.

If you would like to  help us run the shop as a volunteer please get in touch.

Check back soon for all the latest news...