2025 events from The Wedale Bookshop
Free event, Thursday 12 June, 7pm: Understorey: A Year Among Weeds
Anna Chapman Parker in Conversation
In gardens, verges or clustered around municipal lampposts, weeds offer an everyday wildness to even the most urban setting. But what is the story of these familiar plants that accompany our every step, yet pass beneath our notice?
Understorey follows Chapman over the course of a year as she observes these strange, tenacious plants, and meditates on how artists and writers throughout history have portrayed them. Beautifully illustrated throughout, it is a book that explores what is gained when we pay attention to the smallest things.
Free event. The Cloudhouse Cafe, Stow, 7pm Thursday 12 June.
Booking is essential as there are limited tickets available. Email hello@wedalebooks.scot to secure your tickets. If you have specific access requirements please contact us.
Free event, Thursday 19 June, 7pm: The Wicked of the Earth: the Witch-hunts of 1649-50
Mary W. Craig and A. D. Bergin in conversation
In 1649-50, after years of warfare, famine and plague, witch-hunt hysteria hit both the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. These were the killing times that would link Stow and Newcastle together. Hear the dark history revealed by two expert authors.
The event will take place in the impressive surroundings of Saint Mary of Wedale – Stow Parish Church – on Thursday 19 June at 7pm.
Booking is essential as there are limited tickets available. Email hello@wedalebooks.scot to secure your tickets. If you have specific access requirements please contact us.
Gaelic Conversation Group
Buidhean Còmhraidh Ghàidhlig
Meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month from 7pm
A bheil Gaidhlig agad? An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?
Interested in speaking Scottish Gaelic or Irish? This new free conversation group is being created to support learners at all levels and fluent-speakers to enjoy using and talking about Gaelic. 18+ Email hello@wedalebooks.scot for further details and venue information.
The Wedale Folklore Club
Meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month from 7pm
The Scottish Borders has a rich and stirring history, matched by the often weird and wonderful folklore that surrounds us. We are delighted to announce the launch of a free-to-join group inspired by myths, legends and folk-customs. The group will meet monthly and will be a place to share stories, discover forgotten folklore and strange, fascinating places to visit and revel in the mysterious! Open to all, 18+.
If you love folktales, folklore, myths and legends then this may be the place for you! For further details or to join the group, please send us an email. Please note, the venue may change due to expected numbers of attendees.
poetry circle
Meets monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 7pm
Our newest free-to-join group, poetry circle, begins in May 2025.
If you enjoy reading or composing poetry, you may like to join our new monthly gathering at the bookshop on the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Free to join, this group is for readers or writers of all abilities who love to write, read, sing, sign or perform poetry! Meets monthly at the Wedale Bookshop. Email for further details or to join as places may be limited.
Authors? Why have your book event in Stow?
Stow of Wedale has excellent transport links (we think we’re the only independent bookshop in the Scottish Borders directly served by a railway station) meaning holding and attending events here that celebrate the written word is ideal. In addition to our bookshop, we have local caterers and facilities that can allow for events hosting from 2 to 176 guests (that’s the capacity of the main space in the Town Hall!). In addition to the town hall, we also have the beautifully refurbished and presented Station House.
The Wedale Book Club.
We have two book groups (one meeting on the 2nd Wednesday and the other on the 3rd Wednesday of every month) hosted in the bookshop. Open to all 18+. 20% off each month’s chosen titles when you buy in-store – contact us or ask next time you pop in!
May’s Book
April’s Book
You can buy books that our Book Groups have been reading from our List on Bookshop.org:
The LGBTQI+ Book Club
We are delighted to host the south’s only dedicated LGBTQI+ bookshop book group (as far as we know!). It’s held in the bookshop each month. Open to 18+. 20% off each month’s chosen titles when you buy in-store – contact us or ask next time you pop in!