Amble bookshop tracks down rare copies of local author's railway book
An Amble bookshop has tracked down 69 copies of a rare local railway book thought to be out of print.
Back in 2007, local author Bartle Rippon released The Amble Branch – a popular book detailing the rich history of the town’s railway line.
When the Bridge Street Books opened in May, Bartle brought in one copy of The Amble Branch and two copies of his Alnwick book.
However, Bartle believed that that there were no further copies in circulation.
As part of a mission to champion local authors, Fiona McEwan-Thompson, owner of Bridge Street Books, decided to start a hunt for Bartle’s books.
“Bartle is just around the corner from the shop,” Fiona said. “He brought in the books but he said he didn’t know if they were anywhere else.
"The publisher who originally published the book doesn’t exist as far as I'm aware.
“We actually had people asking us for something on the railways over the summer and we couldn't give them it. We knew it existed but we didn’t have any to sell.”
Following an extensive search, Fiona managed to track down 69 copies of The Amble Branch from Crecy Publishing.
“He’s over the moon, and I don’t think he realised how popular it was,” Fiona added. “Both of his books really well thought of in Amble. People are really pleased.”
To celebrate, Bridge Street Books is now hosting an author talk with Bartle at the Dovecote Centre in Amble on Saturday, September 26 at 6pm.
The event is £15 including the book or £5 for those who already own a copy.