We – at the Big Green Bookshop – do groups.
And by "DO" I mean we love groups, we encourage
groups, and we like to think that we nurture groups. In short(ish) we dig groups,
societies, socials, friends of, bands, crowds, committees, sub-committees,
boards, clubs, bodies or quangos. Call 'em what you will, we love 'em.
We already have a
busy schedule, but we find ourselves with an evening or two to spare, so we
thought we'd let you decide what type of group we should run.
Here is a list of suggestions (some made by customers) for
you to vote for. Or you can suggest one of your very own.
(If you want to suggest a group you can email enquiries@biggreenbookshop.com, or tweet @biggreenbooks, or call 020 8881 6767, or come into the shop for a chat.)
- Storytime for Adults
We will invite people to tell their stories, read their poems
or sing their songs that have a narrative. It must tell a story or it won't
make the cut. The performers can be professional or amateur so long as they
have a tale to tell. The stories can be funny or sad, fact or fiction, long or
short. AND there could be an Open-Mic spot.
This would be the type of event where we would like both
story-tellers and an audience.
We would operate this is a similar way to the Comedy Nights,
where we charge an entry fee and the performers take a cut. This suggestion was
made by a customer.
- Screen or Script Writing Group
It may simply be coincidence, but recently I have met a
number of people who are working on scripts 'n' screenplays, and it occurred to
me that they need as much support as any other writers.
Our writing group recently grew so popular that we had to
split it into two, but there's nothing for the dedicated playwriter.
If this proves to be the choice of the people then we would
contact the lovely folk at Mountview
Theatre School
Like the writing group this would involve a £3.00 sub
- Wine Tasting
Surprisingly this is Simon's idea. I suppose that's because
there's already a lot of wine tasting (and swallowing) at events that I host. (this
is Tim writing this by the way. If you don't know who I am (maybe you're a fan
of the shop from Twitter, or Facebook or some other digital-e-based thingy all
of which Simon is king) well, I am the other one. After a few glasses of wine I
is the better looking one….
This group may seem self explanatory, but I should add that
it would not be one of us leading the group. We would find a local expert
(maybe from a nice independent off-licence) to chair the meetings.
Also, as we have forged some links to local brewers, it
wouldn't just be wine we'd be tasting.
There would have to be a charge to cover the cost of the
wine.
- Book Swap with Food to Share
But you already do a book swap, don't you? Well yes, but the
emphasis is always on visiting authors. This book swap would be much more
relaxed, and more about meeting new people and recommending books to them over
shared food & drink. We would have visiting authors, but not every time.
This would be a free event (so long as everybody brings
something for the table)
- Women's Institute Style Talks
We would invite local businesspersons, journalists, minor
celebs, people in the news, maybe a local Politian or two to come and tell us
their tales. and answer questions.
We wouldn't advertise who was coming in advance so every
month would be a surprise.
There would be a £3.00 sub for this event, and we would
encourage people to bring food & drink to share.
- News or Philosophy group
Come together to discuss the news of the day, or the big
questions facing the modern philosopher. Sometimes you just want to let off
steam about the injustices in the world, or to share a page 20 good news story
that most people won't have seen. Sometimes just asking a question out loud
provides you with the answer. This would be an opportunity to meet new people
and listen to their opinions. This group was suggested by a customer
- Senseless Argument Group
Also suggested by a customer….
Pick a pointless subject (Why should adding ridges to a
crisp make it taste better?) add in some alcohol and go…
Incidentally, have dustbin men actually got louder now that
the old tin dustbins are no more?
And lastly
- Singles Book Swap Group
It's tricky to meet new people with a view to dating. What
do you talk about? Well this could be a chance to meet that special someone.
Bring a book to recommend and swap, maybe some food or drink
to share.
Could literary compatibility lead to anything more?
This group was suggested by a customer
Check out this list first. We may already run the perfect
group for you.
You will find below all the events that happen every month,
regular as clockwork.
Monday 10.00am –
11.00am
Storytime & Songs for under 5s
Come and enjoy some books and join in with the singing.
Suitable for newborns to 5 year olds. A great opportunity to meet other local
parents. There's tea & coffee for the parents and a flapjack for the kids.
And it's FREE (although donations are gratefully accepted)
Monday 7.00pm
Monday Evening Reading Group
We're always looking for more people to come along to our
Reading Groups.
This one usually meets on the LAST MONDAY of each month,
There are drinks and snacks at the shop, but you're more
than welcome to bring something to share.
Monday 7.00pm
Songwriting Salon
Stuck for a rhyme? Stuck for a tune? Or have a song that you
want to test drive before you play it live at the O2? Try it out with a
friendly group of amateur musicians/songwriters
We meet on the SECOND MONDAY of every month.
Bring along some refreshments to share.
This group was suggested by a customer.
Tuesday 7.00pm
Tuesday Evening Reading Group
We're always looking for more people to come along to our
Reading Groups.
This one usually meets on the SECOND TUESDAY of each month,
There are drinks and snacks at the shop, but you're more
than welcome to bring something to share.
Tuesday 7.00pm
Music Jam – Campfire Night
A few of our customers (like me (Tim)) play instruments, but the only chance they get to play them is in the privacy of their own homes.
We thought it might be a good idea to invite them to come
along, bring an instrument (we can't fit a piano through the front door), relax
and have fun with like minded musicians at the bookshop.
It's open to everyone whatever age and level you're at and
who knows, this time next year you could be playing in front of thousands of
screaming fans at Wembley Arena
We meet on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month.
We call this the Campfire Night because it's like sitting
round a campfire sharing songs.
Bring along some refreshments to share.
This group was suggested by a customer.
Wednesday 7.00pm
Writers Group
Do you write short stories or novels? Are you
interested in joining a writers group? Do you have £3 spare?
So many questions....
But if the answer to these is yes, or even maybe, then why
not come along to this group,
There are now two groups which run on alternate Wednesdays.
Writing Support Group. The ideal opportunity to test
out your work and get feedback from a friendly group of fellow authors.
Critique Group. For those who have finished – or nearly
– finished their work, this is a chance to fine tune it. There are also
in-depth discussions on how to get your work published.
Both groups have only two rules.
Rule 1 - Leave your ego at the door. Nobody's work is
above constructive criticism.
Rule 2 - Remember you're dealing with people's
personal work, thoughts and words. Be constructive, not dismissive.
We know there are many of you out there who are really keen
to write and this maybe something that'll help. You can come as little of as
often as you like, to as many groups as you like, but if you think it may help,
then why not come along.
Contact the shop to check dates.
Both groups are £3 per session, which will cover
refreshments and the cost of the venue.
This group was suggested by a customer
Thursday 7.00pm
Short Story Reading Group
We're always looking for more people to come along to our
Reading Groups.
This one usually meets on the LAST THURSDAY of each
month, and is dedicated to reading short stories.
There are drinks and snacks at the shop, but you're more
than welcome to bring something to share.
This group was suggested by a customer.
Thursday 7.00pm
Gardeners' Questions
Is everything in your garden rosy? Or are weeds kicking sand
in your face? (Metaphorically)
Either way this could be the group for you. Come and sow
your knowledge, or gain a bit of home grown wisdom from other members of the
group.
Subjects ranging from organic gardening to foraging will be
discussed over the next few months.
This group meets on the THIRD THURSDAY of the month; check
in the shop for further details.
This group was suggested by a customer
Friday 10.00am –
11.00am
Storytime & Songs for under 5s
Come and enjoy some books and join in with the singing.
Suitable for newborns to 5 year olds. A great opportunity to meet other local
parents. There's tea & coffee for the parents and a flapjack for the kids.
And it's FREE (although donations are gratefully accepted)
Friday 8.00pm
Working Title Comedy Night
On the LAST FRIDAY of each month. Our Monthly Stand-Up
Comedy night. It's now become an established venue on the London comedy circuit. Each month we
have some great stand-ups. There's a mixture of highly regarded newcomers,
award winning comics as well as television and festival favourites. There are
usually 4 or 5 great acts and an open mic session, all wonderfully compered by
your host for the night, Chris Brosnahan (Described by The Sun as "a
Comedian")
ALL FOR A FIVER!!
Bring your own refreshments, sit back and enjoy a great
night at the bookshop.
Check the Events & Diary page for full details
Sunday 1.00pm-4.00pm
Knitting Club
It's the FIRST SUNDAY of the month, so it must be Knitting
Club. It's simple.
Turn up, knit, chat, knit some more, eat biscuits and drink
tea.
Everyone is welcome, even crochetters.
Sunday 1.00pm –
5.00pm
Boardgames Day
It's the LAST SUNDAY of the month, so it must be board games
day at the Big Green Bookshop. You'll have the chance to relive some of your
childhood classics like Monopoly but also try some of the new generation of
games like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Labyrinth. These are
fun, pacey, challenging games that don't drag on endlessly until you've lost the
will to live.
Come along to the bookshop anytime throughout the afternoon,
choose a game and spend a pleasant afternoon in the lovely surroundings of the
bookshop trying to build your railway network, build your medieval empire or
create a new civilisation. We'll provide coffee and tea, but bring along snacks
to keep your mind focussed on destroying your opponents. Come along with
friends or by yourself, we'll sure that there'll be a game you can join in
with. If you want to bring along your own game then that's fine (especially if
it's Escape From Colditz, I haven't played that for years) or if you want us to
get a particular boardgame then just let us know and we'll do our best to get
it (not Twister!).
There's even a Facebook Group called BOARD TO DEATH.....
This is a FREE club and we hope you tell all your friends
about it.
This group was suggested by a customer
You can see how many of our groups have come from our lovely customers. We really do listen.
We have something very special indeed for you this month, as we welcome the amazing Shappi Khorsandi to the Big Green Bookshop. 
The new novel by Haruki Murakami is being published in the 
We'll be showing a film by Aki