Groups, Clubs, Socials

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 to encourage their students to attend to table-read the offerings.

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.