Paul Bowes from Bow Books in Royston attributes his national pride and fierce loyalties to descending from generations of Yorkshire yeoman farmers for 500 years, then from a branch that transferred to the heart of England in Victorian times.
His appreciation of family values solidified 60 years ago when committing to a wonderful life-partner, parenting five children in their twenties and now rejoicing in ten grandchildren.
Tell us about your career
My career has always involved championing books – more than half a century in both publishing and bookselling. At its heart was my independent bookshop, The Book Castle, in Dunstable for nearly 30 years, where I also published over 100 local interest titles and am now honorary President of its local history society.
Where do you live now and how did that inspire you to start Bow Books?
A few years ago I returned south, to the lovely village of Barkway after 15 years in beautiful North Yorkshire where my wife was minister to three rural churches. I despaired to realise that Royston had not had a bookshop for more than a generation – an asset that every community needs. A gathering place, a focus, a source of pleasure for all ages.
A love of reading is the best preparation for life’s challenges – a physical book a richer experience than its electronic counterpart. A special joy therefore to welcome mums and dads with little children, just starting out.
Facing today’s retail challenges, Bow Books embraces both new and secondhand. A small dedicated team of invaluable volunteers makes it viable, along with all the enthusiastic customers. We offer advice, talks and facilities as well as making donations to good causes which contribute so much to our area.
Beyond your own, what are your favourite shops in Royston?
I admire independents like Revolution Records, The Honest Fig, Ladds, Number 3 etc and our market traders.
Food-wise I favour The Old Bull Inn or Rasa Sayang, where personal service and a warm welcome can be found.
What is the last book you read?
Every day is a learning curve, every enquiry a different opportunity for recommendation and discovery. Personally I love absorbing the lessons of history from books, and I am currently reading The Road by Christopher Hadley, who will be speaking at the forthcoming Barkway literary festival on October 5th. My favourite fiction authors, Edward Rutherfurd and Robert Harris, reflect that interest.
What makes you happy?
A lifelong weakness for supporting Birmingham City FC demands the emotional reassurance of Rudyard Kipling’s exhortation to ‘meet success and failure and treat them both as imposters, then you are a balanced man, my son’. The occasional win makes me happy. But then, I have always loved the unexpected!
What is your most valued possession?
Possession-wise I value my elderly, worn and misshapen wedding ring, along with my various Bibles and numerous work-in-progress stamp albums.
What inspirational quote sums you up?
At the bookshop my motto is ‘Open a book and open your mind’.
Bow Books, 6 Angel Pavement, Royston SG8 9AS. 01763 793279. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 9am-5pm
www.bow-books.co.uk
enquiries@bow-books.co.uk
