We may have arrived in Northumberland on a slate-grey and rain-streaked Friday evening, but the sun came out over the hills and valleys just in time for our ‘Slightly Foxed Talk with Tea and Cake’ in Hexham. The event was hosted by our friends at Cogito Books, the family-run independent bookshop so clearly loved by its local community and beyond – all tickets were sold and the hotel ballroom was packed with booklovers.
Claire Grint, who runs Cogito Books with great energy and finesse, had thoughtfully placed book recommendation cards on each table to get people talking if they didn’t know each other, and bookish conversation flowed freely as tea and coffee was poured. Once settled with a slice of cake from the wide range of delicious temptations, Gail and Hazel began to tell the story of Slightly Foxed and the ideas behind the ‘magazine of enthusiasms’ to a hushed audience, all agog. Question after interesting question was asked by eager readers, followed by informal chat over more cups of coffee and a frenzy of book-buying over at the book-stall. As an extra treat, we foxes were able to pay a visit to Cogito Books itself to browse the shelves and stock up on summer reading.
Claire and her team could not have been more welcoming, and it was such a pleasure to meet some northern subscribers, and introduce ourselves to potential new readers. We would certainly come again – and not just for another slice of cake!