Scrivener’s Buxton bookshop and independent bookbinders

Books galore!

Whilst on a trip to Buxton I happened upon Scrivener’s Bookshop – a fascinating warren of treasured books that has been in Buxton since 1997 and has been handed down to different owners throughout the years.

The bookshop was opened in 1997 by Alistair Scrivener, who introduced the bookbinding department now owned by Holly Sarjeant and Janet Hopley, who both worked with Alistair.

It is run by a dedicated team of booksellers who all aim to help the customers who enter. Teresa Roper is the now owner who, after moving to Buxton in 2014 after a career in teaching, ‘was immediately drawn to the iconic shop at 42 High Street.

Teresa was lucky enough to get a job there after working as a bookseller for eight years and couldn’t resist the opportunity to take over the business when the opportunity arose from then owner, Miranda Midlane.

The bookshop is predominantly a second-hand bookshop, although they are keen to promote local authors and stock a small selection of new non-fiction books about the local area and new fiction, including crime and children’s books.

What struck me when I first entered the shop was the comforting smell of old books, followed by the exciting prospect of exploring five floors of book lined rooms and landings.

While some people come in with a book in mind, others browse and let serendipity guide them. One of the things that makes the shop special is the number of books, around 40,000, covering subjects that range from ‘History and Humour’ in the cellar to ‘Art and Archaeology’ in the attic, and everything in between on the other three floors.

There’s a well-stocked children’s area that hosts free Storytime sessions during term times. They also stock cards, wrapping paper and book themed gifts including tote bags, tea towels, purses and mugs.

One of the unique features is a small Victorian Museum in the cellar. This houses an original kitchen range and Victorian books dating from when the shop first opened in 1897 as Brunt’s tobacconists and sign writers.

A photograph of the original occupants can be seen over the mantlepiece. The shop has also been an antique shop, toy shop and a clothes shop. In fact, many locals remember buying their first bicycle there.

They stock books ranging from the 16th century to the present-day, from Fox’s Book of Martyrs to Ian Rankin’s Rebus.

‘Perhaps one of the most special books that passed through our hands was a leather-bound account of the gunpowder plot, written shortly after the event,’ Teresa tells me.

‘This has been sold but we have many other unique and beautiful books in the shop. A delight of second-hand books is that they have their own stories to tell, dedications and messages on the first page, pressed flowers, bus tickets and other items pressed between the pages.

‘Recently, we found a rose pressed between the pages of a beautifully bound W B Yeats collected poetry from 1900. Who placed it there and what was their story?

The wonderful art of bookbinding Photo: Beth Windsor Scrivener’s Bookbinding

Located in Scrivener’s are independent bookbinders Holly Serjeant and Janet Hopley, who work within the appropriate environs of Scrivener’s bookshop and feel passionate about preserving and prolonging the lives of treasured old books.

Through their 45 years of combined experience in making and repairing books they have encountered a huge variety of binding structures and a diverse array of subject matter, ranging in age from centuries old times to modern paperbacks.

Especially memorable projects include an autograph book belonging to a nurse who cared for the war wounded, a facsimile of an Antarctic explorer’s memoirs, and a photograph album presented to a winning Football League Championship player in the 1930s.

While Janet trained with Alastair Scrivener as an informal apprentice, Holly studied for her bookbinding degree at Roehampton, London. She enjoys passing on her knowledge and skills to likeminded folk through running workshops.

Over the course of a day, participants are guided through the precise processes required to create their own traditional hardback book.

Due to high demand for their bookbinding skills, the binders have a year-long waiting list and only assess books by prior arrangement.

Scriverner’s – a fascinating warren of treasured books Photo: Beth Windsor In store

Scrivener’s host various artists and performers throughout the year and on April 26 Attie Lime shared her children’s poetry book Wobbly Words, while this month Joanne Crowther is bringing her informative and interactive show Victorian Saltaire on May 10 and 11.

During Buxton Fringe Scrivener’s acts as a venue and this year will be hosting several performers and writers, as well as an exhibition of album sleeves in the window.

It is hard to say what is the most popular book in the shop. Fiction is always popular with locals and visitors, and they stock a wide range.

Books about Buxton and the local area are also very popular. A few of the newest titles include Testament of Lost Youth, about Vera Brittain’s early life in Buxton. The author, Kathryn Eccleston, will be discussing her book in the shop in the summer.

Another book which has proven very popular with locals and visitors alike is Errwood Hall and the Drowned Hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge, by David Sterling.

Other books about the local area include Julian Cohen’s Buxton Pubs; Surely Not in Buxton; and the most recent, 18 Stones Up The Hill, by Andrew Knowles about Buxton Cricket Club, is also proving popular.

Crime fiction is a genre always in demand and the series The Buxton Spa Mysteries by Celia Harwood has many readers hooked. The newest crime novel is Artefact by Alec Ingram, who will also be giving a talk about his book in the shop during the Fringe.