The Story of October Books... The Human Chain

A Chapter in the October Books Story

We had bought the bank and the renovations were almost complete and the moving day was planned for the end of October 2018. Someone in our community suggested we involve the community in the move and  we planned The Human Chain, where people could come and help transfer over 2000 books from our old premises to the new. 

After much planning the day arrived, a cold and bright Sunday morning. Things started quietly with 20 or 30 people helping and big gaps in the chain... and then it grew and grew. There were people getting off buses to help, traders offering teas and coffees, chocolates as well as books passed along the line and after an hour we had over 200 people participating in this co-operative community event. 

People took pictures and posted on social media, supporters video the length of the chain and the following days the news of the Human Chain went global. First off was an article about it in the Guardian, and then the Washington Post were on the phone and the New York Times and other national and international media. We hadn't been expecting such interest and were trying to pack boxes and give interviews to radio stations as well as get the new shop ready for opening the following weekend. It was an amazing day and a great thing to do and will be remembered by all involved as something very special. 

We opened our new premises to great fanfare and fun on Saturday 3rd November 2018. Local children's author Ali Sparkes cut the 'ribbon' on the day and the Daily Echo came along and took pictures. We had music both inside the shop and outside, a wonderful cake to share, blessings from the witches and wizards of Southampton and an all round amazing day. We had somehow managed to move and set up everything needed in a week, a huge thank you to our friends and volunteers in helping to achieve this.

A so the new chapter has really begun.

[Image Description: Writing-’ The Human Chain’
Includes three photos:
1. & 2. Members of the public forming a book chain down Portswood Highstreet in some of the images which went viral. 2018
3. Image of Collective Members, Workers, Volunteers & Author Ali Sparkes celebrating outside the new shop. LtR Annabel Hodgson, Brennan Hill, Phil Collins, Jaquie Daniels, Clare Diaper, Joey Jones, Jess Haynes, Amy Brown, Ali Sparkes, Amelia Simpson. 2018]