The first Reading Group was set up in the village in 1999. It ceased to meet as numbers dropped off when members moved away or decided to take up other activities, and a second reading group began in 2005 and is now fully subscribed.

A book is chosen each month, up to two months in advance. We meet once a month in each others' houses to discuss the relevant book. We usually have wine and refreshments at these From left to right: gatherings. Every year we aim to attend a Literary Festival and we have added cinema visits to our programme.

If anybody is interested in finding out if there is a vacancy, or would like to know more about the Reading Group or would like to set up their own, please contact Jean Simmonds on (01295) 760498 or e-mail

In November 2006 we discussed a book written by a resident of Helmdon, Jean Spendlove. The book is called For Freedom to be Equal, and is set in Rennes in the time of the French Revolution. Jean attended the meeting so we were able to ask questions and discuss her work. Most of the book club ended up purchasing the book that Jean so kindly lent us to read. We are now hoping she will complete the follow-on book.

Notes for members:       

2008

7th January    Meeting at Alex's.  Take a favourite

     poem, with copies for the group and a plate of "nibbles".

14th January Film trip to see The Kite Runner

4th February   Meeting at Carol's.  North and South (Mrs Gaskell). 

3rd March    Meeting at Lynn's.  Star of the Sea  (Joseph O'Connor)

8th March  Kings Sutton Literary Festival  - visit (contact Ann or Carol)

10th March Film trip to see The Other Boleyn Girl Cancelled

7th April  Meeting at Ann's.  Fair Stood The Wind For France (H E Bates)

12th May Meeting at Gill's.   Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

9th June Meeting at Alex's. Notes From An Exhibition (Patrick Gale)

7th July Meeting at Carol's.  Rough Music (Patrick Gale)

No August meeting

8th September at Judy's.  The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist (Robert Tressell)