Rosewell Community Council spreads the joy of reading with free book handout

Edith Cameron with her children Alice and Rory, with their free book.

The group successfully applied for 80 copies of 'Stories to Make You Smile' for the annual event, held on April 23.

Community council treasurer Helen Blackburn was delighted that her group could spread some happiness while encouraging people to read.

She said: “We used social media as well as the local churches and schools to ask for nominations of residents to receive the books. We got quite a lot of names.

Rosewell Community Council handed out the book to locals for free. Pictured (LtoR) are Helen Blackburn, Ali Izatt, Abby Houston and Jan Halvorson.

"It’s been a tough year for us all, so anything that can brighten people up a bit is great.

"We particularly wanted to give them to people who had been shielding, as well as elderly, disabled or socially isolated people.”

Helen explained why Rosewell Community Council chose Stories to Make You Smile to give out to villagers.

She said: "There were 20 books to choose from and we had to choose our top three we wanted to receive.

"Some were quite specific to a subject but I like this one as you can pick it up and go again whenever.

"We wanted to get a book that would have a wider appeal to people in the village.

"It’s short stories and it’s nice and easy to read.

"The whole point of World Book Day is to encourage people to read, and this has been very well received.

"It’s amazing how many people don’t read. So we decided to take a book to them.

"We got books this way a couple of years ago but were unsuccessful last year, so we tried again.

"They give them out to schools, prisons, all sorts of places.”

Members of the committee distributed the books on Saturday afternoon.

Helen added: “The books were very well received and there was quite a bit of discussion on the Rosewell Neighbourhood Group Facebook page.

"We have had lots of positive comments and thanks.

"I was helping give them out and people were delighted to receive them.

"We’ve not quite handed them all out yet. But we’ve put what’s left into the Loves Local shop on the Main Street, for people in the EH24 area to have. The owner, Ash, has been really supportive.”