How 50,000 books will re-roof a Norfolk church
Organiser Rob Metcalfe with some of the titles on offer at a previous annual book sale. Picture: Karen Bethell - Credit: Archant
At around 11.30am on Saturday, May 5, a north Norfolk charity will sell its 50,000th book in a nine-year quest to raise funds for the repair of a village church.
The Morston Book Sale, organised by the Friends of Morston Church charity, has become a regular pilgrimage destination for book-lovers on the first May bank holiday weekend of each year.
Thousands of second-hand books will be on sale again this year and the popularity of the event has grown annually since the first sale in 2010.
Organiser Rob Metcalfe said: “We have calculated that by the end of last year’s sale we had sold 49,296 books over the years.
“That means we should be due to sell our 50,000th volume about an hour and a half after the sale begins on Saturday morning.”
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All of the money raised is used for the preservation of Morston’s All Saints’ church, parts of which date back to the 13th century.
Mr Metcalfe added: “There is always something needed to maintain the church, and work is due to begin shortly to replace the chancel roof. In effect, we’re re-roofing the church with 50,000 books – or at least the proceeds from selling them.”
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The book sale is open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 5-7, at Morston Barn, NR25 7AA. Admission is free, there is ample parking and refreshments are served throughout the event. All books are half price on Bank Holiday Monday.
