You wait ages for one and then hundreds come along at once — books that is, not buses!
Keen readers in Melmerby have helped to raise more than £3,000 for mental health charity Mind ever since the village bus stop was turned into a pop-up book shop in what is proving to be a novel idea with a happy ending.
It all started in August 2020. Resident Cath McAneney started collecting books from friends and giving them away for donations to the charity.
She was keen to do something to help those struggling with their mental health after the shocking sudden death of family friend James Ford, at the age of just 36.
Word of the community book initiative soon spread and the parish council agreed Cath could offer the growing number of books from its bus shelter, which is a local landmark.
With the collection of titles now running into the hundreds, bookcases have now been added, including one fitted by her husband, David, and another which belonged to a late great-grandfather to help ensure his interest in literature lives on.
Resident Jane Bardsley also helped decorate the bus shelter for Christmas, and following a flood of books, The Old Village Bakery and Shepherds Inn are also offering them for sale for the charity, and Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.
The village’s St John the Baptist Church also takes books in to sell on and generate funds towards its upkeep.
As the money raised shows, the idea has proved popular, with locals, visitors and passing tourists all keen to spot a bargain book and leave a donation.
The charitable spirit has also spread to Facebook. Melmerby Residents page now frequently advertises items and asks for donations to go to the cause.
Self-employed Cath, a keen reader of fiction, has now thanked all the villagers and visitors who have helped support the project.
“It’s just taken off and gone from strength to strength,” she said.
“It’s been totally positive and the bus shelter has definitely become something of a hub.”
