Charity book celebrating pub regulars exceeds sales target
The Jolly Regulars, written and published by local amateur photographer and journalist Rhiannon Stocking-Williams, was launched at an event at the Jolly Anglers pub on 24 March.
As reported by The Morning Advertiser, the book curates accounts from 37 regulars at the Berkshire pub aged from 3 to 70 on why they love the pub and what role it plays in their community.
As part of the launch event, Stocking-Williams presented landlord John Westendorp – who is set to retire this year – and his wife Lisa with a picture from their wedding in October 2017, which also features as the cover of the book.
Portraits from the book will also be exhibited at the pub until 15 April.
Sales of the £25 book have already exceeded the 30-unit target, with 50 copies sold within 24 hours of the book’s launch – resulting in more than £300 raised for Cancer Research UK.
Local book expressing national concerns
Stocking-Williams explained: “The purpose of the book is to raise money for Cancer Research UK, having lost close friends and family to cancer in recent years and to raise awareness of the important place that community pubs like the Anglers has in the lives of local people.”
Westendorp added: “It’s a very local book that expresses national concerns about the erosion of community support systems and small, independent businesses.”
Pip Collings, one of the 37 regulars featured in the book, said: “Another fabulous community event at the Jolly Anglers. Well done Rhiannon for a brilliant project, bringing it all together with a great book and lovely photos.”
The book has already been nominated for a Reading Cultural Award in the Celebrating Reading’s Heritage category.
Copies of the book can be ordered from the Jolly Anglers pub, or by emailing gurwbyylerthynef@tznvy.pbz.
