Don't forget

If anyone would still like to leave me a book recommendation for the archive, please email the title, author and special memory it holds to: babl@lucymayschofield.co.uk , where there's always room for more.

All Wrapped UP

As the final week of the Blackburn Book Archive draws to a slow close, I pack up my 4 typewriters and head home. What a humbling, inspiring and happy time I've had here at 11 Fleming Square. I will now set to work on the Star Paper inspired pamphlet anecdotally documenting my experience of the town ready for release in January 2011. I feel like Blackburn's newest ambassador, I'll never hear a word said against it.

A few of my Blackburn favourites

The shop has been like a community center over the past 4 weeks, with regulars popping in to bring me cups of tea, old printed pamphlets, stories, more recommendations, even a knitted cardigan to keep me warm. Lovely.

Activity Centre

As the recommendations were committed to print, the wall of mono-prints grew to form a gallery of memorable book covers.

Typewriter tip tip tip

Week three ended with almost 70 Book Recommendations, hours worth of inspirational conversation and a feeling of being very grateful to the people of Blackburn.

Pike Fishing and the Practical Householder

By the end of week two, I am smitten with the people of Blackburn. I was interviewed on Thursday for BBC Lancashire’s lunchtime radio show, and spent Friday afternoon teaching simple book making techniques to passers by. I had visits from wonderful book enthusiasts and keen fishers, (DIY, Collecting, Printing and literature experts were in abundance).

The Blackburn Book Archive will be open all day Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week at 11 Fleming Square so pop in to make your own book recommendation, print your favourite book cover, learn how to make a book or tell me a story. x

The First week of Contributions

So many of Blackburn’s lovely residents popped into the shop during the first week of the project to type out their book recommendations that I began to get a good feel for the town. The very first gentleman to contribute told me his favourite book was ‘The Canterbury Tales’, a fine coincidence as a copy also belongs in Edward Hart’s own collection housed in the museum. Other book suggestions were ‘Thorn Birds’, ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Cider with Rosie’, ‘To kill a mocking bird’, ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ and ‘The Gruffalo’. The archive is already showing signs of becoming an eclectic collection.

Saturday proved a very busy day thanks to an article written in the local ‘Lancashire Telegraph’ about the project. A few former workers from ‘Star Paper’ popped in to tell me their tales too.

Star Paper & Livesey Library meet

On Wednesday afternoon I met some wonderful ex 'Star Paper' mill workers at Livesey Library, where many with associations with the Star came to identify as yet unknown people in the archival photographs. There were fascinating stories floating through the library of mistletoe mischief, mucky beehives, singing while guillotining and pulling sickies to get on top of the washing. The ones I met were indeed stars from 'Star' and I was thrilled to be privy to their reminiscences of what appeared to be a very special time.

Shop transformation

Tuesday in Blackburn saw a torrential downpour, a minor collision with a bollard and a parking ticket. All did not go smoothly in the setting up of the new shop for the Open Shop Project. Yet with all that said, the residents of Blackburn demonstrated such kindness and were as helpful as ever. People popped their heads around the door to welcome me to my new home for the next month. More finishing touches today, some sign writing and tweaking.

Come and see me at 11 Fleming Square, opposite the Cathedral to have a peek.

A visit to make links

Tomorrow's visit to the wondrous Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery will no doubt feed me more ideas and further stimulate enquiry into Edward Hart's intriguing collection of books. I hope to able to see the shop, the home of the new Blackburn Book Archive for the coming weeks. Printing book donation cards, making a window installation to tempt passers by inside and dusting off my large array of typewriters are just a few tasks keeping me busy before I arrive in Blackburn next Wednesday.

The Blackburn Book Archive is Born

I am so pleased to announce the dates for the new Open Shop Project in Blackburn. I will be in the shop creating the Blackburn Book Archive between July 21st and August 11th, so please pop in and share your recommended books with me and tell me why you think they are such a good read and deserve to be included in the collection. You will be able to deposit your book suggestions, (or even leave a copy of the book), in a large brown leather suitcase inside the shop. Come and say hello, hear a reading, have a cup of tea, learn how to make a book, convince me of the merits of your favorite book and rest weary legs. I'll be there on...

Wednesday 21 July 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Friday 23 July 10-12  for Book Making

Saturday 24 July 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Saturday 24 July 1 - 4 for Book Making

Wednesday 28 July 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Friday 30 July 10-12 for Meet me for tea

Friday 30 July 1 - 4 for Book Making

Wednesday 4 August 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Wednesday 4 August 1 - 4 for Meet me for afternoon tea

Friday 6 August 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Friday 6 August 1 - 4 for Book Making

Saturday 7 August 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Saturday 7 August 1 - 4 for Book Making

Wednesday 11 August 10-12 for Book Recommendations

Wednesday 11 August 1 - 4 for Book Readings and tea & cake