12 April 2024
A fourth artist joins residents in the Old Library
Marina Nasso-Beard is a multi-media artist working mainly in oils and charcoal from her studio in Beckenham Place Mansion.
Born in Milan, she grew up dividing her time between the UK and Italy. Primarily concerned with the interplay between connection and disconnection, her work reflects an interest in the intangible and the transient.
She joins Kev Hopwood and Aparna Green, and visiting artist Yvonne Coughlan, who will all be displaying their work in the Old Library in the Mansion.
Entrance is free of charge.
6 April 2024
Download the event programme today!
Our digital event programme is ready to view and download!
It's packed full details of what's on during BOOKS IN THE PARK, and comes in a easy-to-view flip book format.
Just click this link: https://tinyurl.com/253n6z2f
And don't forget, tickets are going fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.
1 April 2024
Mansion artists to exhibit at book festival
BOOKS IN THE PARK is delighted to announce that two of the Mansion’s resident artists, Kev Hopgood and Aparna Green, will be displaying their artwork in the Old Library during the festival.
Kev Hopgood is a renowned illustrator with many years’ experience drawing for the graphic novel and children’s book markets. His best-known credit is for his two-year stint as the artist on the Iron Man book for Marvel Comics. Come along and see his fantastic illustrations.
Aparna Green’s identity as an artist is deeply intertwined with her role as a doctor, each influencing and enriching the other in profound ways. Her abstract art reflects her interactions with patients from diverse backgrounds, hearing their stories, witnessing their journeys, and experiencing the raw emotions that accompany the healing process. Through her abstract paintings, she strives to capture the essence of hidden life. Exploring the interplay of textures, colours and forms, Aparna's work delves into the beauty of imperfection, transience and the fleeting moments that often go unnoticed.
Also attending will be Yvonne Coughlan, an artist based in Hackney, London. Aparna and Yvonne are both clinicians and recently collaborated in an exhibition with Raka Maitra, a poet and child psychiatrist exploring Creativity in Health. The collaboration took place over one year and Raka Maitra has produced a book of poems exploring the themes mirrored in the visual work.
How to book
The artists exhibition is free to attend. Authors events are filling up, so book your tickets soon to avoid disappointment, at www.booksinthepark.org.
20 March 2024
Book festival springs into life with expanded programme of events
The Park’s first-ever book festival is shaping up to be a super Spring Saturday on the 13th April.
We are continuing to add to the programme all the time so don’t miss anything by following us on social media - see links below, and read on for an update.
A glimpse of the programme
We are thrilled to have debut authors Emilia Hart and Jill Johnson exploring intertwining themes of magic and nature as they dive between the covers of their highly acclaimed new novels Weyward and Devil’s Breath.
For lovers of memoir, don’t miss Guardian columnist, organic food grower and writer, Claire Ratinon, as she shares her inspiring growing journey from rooftop garden to providing food to Ottolenghi restaurant Rovi in her new book Unearthed.
University lecturer by day and clandestine ecologist by night, debut author Ben Jacob will share his fascinating story in The Orchid Outlaw: One Man’s Mission to Save Britain’s Rarest Flowers. At once a history and inspiring memoir, he re-introduces us to Britain’s most endangered and exquisite flowers.
If the climate crisis is getting you down, do not fear, Isabel Losada is here! She is The Joyful Environmentalist, and she wants you to be one, too. Author, comedienne and environmentalist, Isabel has what George Monbiot calls “the joy we need in our lives”.
For those of you itching to try your hand at poetry or fiction writing, there are two 90-minute workshops to guide you on your way.
Our fabulous children’s authors Alex-Falase Koya, Natasha Farrant and Alexandra Sheppard are preparing to thrill their audiences with tales of heroic adventures and daring-do plus interactive fun and crafting.
Families
Families can explore all the park has to offer between events, by picking up a free worksheet and following Lewisham Library’s fantastic scavenger hunt to win prizes. Or become an EcoSpy for the day and embark on an intrepid adventure to save the Park’s wood wide web with a specially discounted adventure pack.
Book Swap
Don’t forget to bring your old books too! Local charity ACB Book Club will be running a busy children’s book swap throughout the festival where you can leave your pre-loved books and find new ones to enjoy.
Arts & Crafts
You can delve into the world of textiles with free drop-in sessions at the Sewing School in the Mansion, and fashion your own literary keepsake. Anthony Jones will also be there to show you how to make a bookmark using the nineteenth-century cyanotype photography process. Artwork from resident Mansion artists will be on display too.
How to book
Spaces are filling up across all events, so book your tickets soon to avoid disappointment, at www.booksinthepark.org. And don’t forget, when you get here on the 13th, the Mansion Café and Homestead Café are generously offering all book festival ticket holders 10% off food and drink.
Updates on social media
X: @booksinthepark
Instagram: booksintheparkfestival
FB booksintheparkfestival
4 March 2024
Writers workshops for budding poets and story tellers
Calling all budding fiction and poetry writers. BOOKS IN THE PARK has two fantastic workshops just for you.
It doesn't matter if you've never written a line of poetry before, if nature speaks to you, come along to Gill O’Halloran’s poetry writing workshop, 10am-11.30am, in the upstairs classroom at Homestead Education Centre.
You'll use some simple exercises to play with words and generate images and you'll enjoy a sense of community as well as artistic achievement and creativity as Gill guides you to produce a group poem about our love of nature in Beckenham Place Park.
Author Annie Lyons’ fun-filled workshop, 2pm to 3.30pm, is aimed at anyone who wants to have a go at writing fiction - whether you long to discover if you really do have that novel in you or just want to put pen to paper and see where it takes you.
Designed to ease you into the writing process and bring you confidence as a writer, the workshop will cover the basics of storytelling: generating ideas, understanding structure, creating a character and developing their story.
Bring paper and pens with you for an hour and a half of creative fun with two great teachers of poetry and fiction writing.
Book early as spaces are limited.
26 FEB 2024
Magic, mystery and adventure await children at Books in the Park
From superheroes to magic schools and adventurous rescue missions to scavenger hunts, there will be something for children of all ages at the first-ever Books in the Park festival, on Saturday 13th April at Beckenham Place Park.
Featuring interactive storytelling, draw-a-longs, book signings, scavenger hunt and more, participating authors and Lewisham Libraries will deliver one-hour live sessions in the Downstairs Classroom of The Homestead Education Centre in Beckenham Place Park’s beautifully restored stable yard.
For children aged 5-9 years, rising star Alex Falase-Koya kicks off the children’s events at 10.30am with the fantastic tale of Marv and the Killer Plants, in downstairs classroom in The Homestead Education Centre. When ordinary boy Marvin dons his super-suit, he becomes MARV, a superhero with infinite powers which he’ll need to battle supervillain Violet Vine and the kid-eating Venus flytraps in the school garden. Alex’s fun filled interactive session will be suitable for all budding superheroes and includes a quiz and draw-a-long and the chance to design their very own super-suit.
At 12.30pm, nine- to twelve-year-olds will meet Alexandra Sheppard who shares her brand-new novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden. Alyssa goes on a summer holiday with her Mum’s family in North London, where she discovers the magic school run by her great aunt where local children can hone their powers. When the garden’s magical powers start to go wrong, her own latent magical powers explode into life to save them.
Costa Award-winning author Natasha Farrant introduces The Rescue of Ravenwood and The Girl Who Talked to Trees at 2.30pm. In The Rescue of Ravenwood, Bea, Raffy and Noa must fight for their beloved Ravenwood with its ancient woods and precious ash tree named Ygg. The story is told through the narrative of the three children whose lives are torn apart the summer they leave primary school. Girl Who Talked to Trees, Olive's best friend is an oak tree, and it is in danger. As she tumbles into its magic world, she makes it a promise. From deep roots to high branches, a Persian garden to an underwater forest, from tulip trees to wild apples to vengeful box, she listens as trees tell her stories for all time - and she keeps her promise.
For the under-fives, Lewisham Libraries invites children and their carers to fun, interactive story time sessions, where they will be hearing stories and songs about nature and the environment.
And for children of all ages, Lewisham Libraries has crafted an exciting Scavenger Hunt. Collect a worksheet at the ticket desk outside the Homestead Education Centre.
All children’s events will take place in the Downstairs Classroom of The Homestead Education Centre.
There is no entry fee and no booking fee on e-tickets.
Tickets for each event are available now through the festival website www.booksinthepark.org. And don’t forget, ticket holders will enjoy a 10% discount on food and drink at the Homestead Cafe and the Mansion Bar and Cafe on production of an event ticket.
26 FEB 2024
Magic, mystery and adventure await children at Books in the Park
From superheroes to magic schools and adventurous rescue missions to scavenger hunts, there will be something for children of all ages at the first-ever Books in the Park festival, on Saturday 13th April at Beckenham Place Park.
Featuring interactive storytelling, draw-a-longs, book signings, scavenger hunt and more, participating authors and Lewisham Libraries will deliver one-hour live sessions in the Downstairs Classroom of The Homestead Education Centre in Beckenham Place Park’s beautifully restored stable yard.
For children aged 5-9 years, rising star Alex Falase-Koya kicks off the children’s events at 10.30am with the fantastic tale of Marv and the Killer Plants, in downstairs classroom in The Homestead Education Centre. When ordinary boy Marvin dons his super-suit, he becomes MARV, a superhero with infinite powers which he’ll need to battle supervillain Violet Vine and the kid-eating Venus flytraps in the school garden. Alex’s fun filled interactive session will be suitable for all budding superheroes and includes a quiz and draw-a-long and the chance to design their very own super-suit.
At 12.30pm, nine- to twelve-year-olds will meet Alexandra Sheppard who shares her brand-new novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden. Alyssa goes on a summer holiday with her Mum’s family in North London, where she discovers the magic school run by her great aunt where local children can hone their powers. When the garden’s magical powers start to go wrong, her own latent magical powers explode into life to save them.
Costa Award-winning author Natasha Farrant introduces The Rescue of Ravenwood and The Girl Who Talked to Trees at 2.30pm. In The Rescue of Ravenwood, Bea, Raffy and Noa must fight for their beloved Ravenwood with its ancient woods and precious ash tree named Ygg. The story is told through the narrative of the three children whose lives are torn apart the summer they leave primary school. Girl Who Talked to Trees, Olive's best friend is an oak tree, and it is in danger. As she tumbles into its magic world, she makes it a promise. From deep roots to high branches, a Persian garden to an underwater forest, from tulip trees to wild apples to vengeful box, she listens as trees tell her stories for all time - and she keeps her promise.
For the under-fives, Lewisham Libraries invites children and their carers to fun, interactive story time sessions, where they will be hearing stories and songs about nature and the environment.
And for children of all ages, Lewisham Libraries has crafted an exciting Scavenger Hunt. Collect a worksheet at the ticket desk outside the Homestead Education Centre.
All children’s events will take place in the Downstairs Classroom of The Homestead Education Centre.
There is no entry fee and no booking fee on e-tickets.
Tickets for each event are available now through the festival website www.booksinthepark.org. And don’t forget, ticket holders will enjoy a 10% discount on food and drink at the Homestead Cafe and the Mansion Bar and Cafe on production of an event ticket.
18 FEB 2024
Acclaimed authors line up for a riveting day of talks
A spectacular line-up of authors is in store for adults at the first-ever Books in the Park festival on Saturday 13th April at Beckenham Place Park.
Featuring book signings, meet-and-greets and more, participating authors will deliver one-hour live talks in Beckenham Place Park’s imposing Grade II listed Mansion, sharing stories from their careers and shedding light on their work.
The day kicks off at 11am with two exciting and highly acclaimed debut novelists Emilia Hart and Jill Johnson. Hart’s novel Weyward is the subject of a recent BBC Arts Books Club Between the Covers and Johnson’s Devil’s Breath will feature in its upcoming season.
Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world. In Jill Johnson’s Devil’s Breath, Eustacia Rose, a Professor of Botanical Toxicology who lives alone with only her extensive collection of poisonous plants for company, leads a quiet and predictable life. Until the day she hears a scream and the temptation to investigate proves irresistible. Novelist and creative writing teacher, Annie Lyons chairs the session.
Next up at 1pm, author, comedienne and environmentalist Isabel Losada refuses to join the climate crisis angst and focuses instead on the actions we can all take to live a 1.5 degree lifestyle while enriching our lives. George Monbiot says of her book The Joyful Environmentalist: How to Practice without Preaching, “This is the joy we need in our lives.”
Organic food grower, author and Guardian columnist Claire Ratinon once felt cut off from the natural world and reluctant to be outdoors but a chance encounter with a rooftop farm was the start of a journey that caused her to rethink her life and beliefs. At 3pm, Claire will be in conversation with Errol Reuben Fernandez, head of horticulture and gardens at the Horniman Museum, about her new book Unearthed: On Race and Roots, and How the Soil Taught me I Belong, where she explores the possibilities of nurturing our connections with the natural world, reimagining ourselves as part of an ecosystem and addressing the challenges we face as a collective.
Featuring in the final session of the adult programme at 5pm will be Ben Jacobs and his memoir, natural history and inspiring call to action, The Orchid Outlaw: One Man’s Mission to Save Britain’s Rarest Flowers. Ben’s passion for orchids and his determination to rescue the UK’s threatened plants sometimes put him on the wrong side of the law, but The Orchid Outlaw shows us how we can all save the world one plant at a time. He will be in conversation with Zabby Allen, founder of Wild South London.
12 FEB 2024
New literature festival to take place at Beckenham Place Park
Beckenham Place Park will host the inaugural BOOKS IN THE PARK literature festival on Saturday 13th April, promising a programme of author talks for adults and children, scavenger hunts, guided walks and writing workshops.
Lewisham’s largest green space, Beckenham Place Park is home to ancient woodland, a community garden and wild swimming lake. Taking nature as its theme, the festival will feature books showcasing nature’s power to inspire, heal and bring communities together.
Adult events will take place in the Mansion, an imposing Grade II listed building at the heart of the park, and children’s events will be held in the Homestead Education Centre, part of the park’s lovingly restored Homestead stables and courtyard.
Authors appearing at the festival include Guardian gardening columnist Claire Ratinon who will discuss her memoir, Unearthed; Ben Jacob, Wainwright Prize-longlisted author of The Orchid Outlaw, who will share his story of saving Britain’s rarest flowers; debut novelists Emilia Hart and Jill Johnson who will explore the magic and mystery of nature in their novels Weyward and Devil’s Breath; and author and comedian Isabel Losada who will share tips and advice on saving the planet (without preaching) from her book The Joyful Environmentalist.
For children, Marv and the Killer Plants author Alex Falase-Koya will lead an interactive session for superheroes aged 5-9; Alexandra Sheppard will discuss her love of nature and her new book Alyssa and the Spell Garden (ages 9-12); and Natasha Farrant will introduce The Rescue of Ravenwood and The Girl Who Talked to Trees (ages 9-12). Lewisham Libraries will also run a morning story time for young children at 9am and a scavenger hunt throughout the day.
For aspiring writers, the festival also offers poetry and fiction writing workshops, led by poet Gill O’Halloran and novelist Annie Lyons.
And don't miss the Wild Walk around Beckenham Place Park led by Wild South London.
Festival director Frances Fuller said:
“Beckenham Place Park is much-loved by residents across Lewisham and Bromley and already hosts lots of great events, so we’re thrilled to be adding to its first ever book festival, BOOKS IN THE PARK.
“What started as a chat among the park’s gardening volunteers has blossomed into an event that we hope will inspire local people to enjoy the park in a new way.
“We’ve pulled together a programme that we think has something for everyone – from big topics, courageous memoir and debut fiction, to an exciting children’s programme for all ages. We’re supported by some wonderful sponsors and authors who all agree Beckenham Place Park is the perfect setting for a book festival.’”
Local independent Beckenham Bookshop is the festival’s bookseller.
Tickets go on sale Monday 12th February and can be purchased at Ticket Source (link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/books-in-the-park
For more information, please contact enquiries@booksinthepark.org www.booksinthepark.org
BOOKS IN THE PARK is proudly sponsored by Beckenham Bookshop, Beckenham Place Park Community Gardeners, The Homestead Café, Jumping Bean, Phoenix Community Housing, PPM Flat Maintenance, London Fire Defence, The Purelake Group, The Bromley Court Hotel, Three Hounds Bar and Brewery and The Arts Society Beckenham.
Beckenham Place Park boasts scenery of outstanding beauty. The park is home to a lake and ancient woodland and, unusually for an urban park, it features various listed buildings which are being renovated and brought back to life. The renovation of the buildings is sympathetic to the park’s heritage and provides an opportunity to offer amenities for the community and to enhance the local economy.
Beckenham Place Mansion, the venue for the adult events, is an elegant Grade II Georgian mansion offering a picturesque, historic space for weddings, private events and artist studios, alongside arts, cultural and community activities. With a welcoming bar & café and a regular programme of craft classes, yoga, food and vintage markets and more, it has a host of fun activities for all ages to get involved in. It also offers studios for creators.
Field Studies Council works together with London Borough of Lewisham to deliver education services in Beckenham Place Park. It offers a range of courses across London, and from the Homestead Education Centre at Beckenham Place Park, with two classrooms is in the 18th Century stable block with easy access to sites across the Park.
where nature, books and people come together
Arts in the Park CIC 15290631
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