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PTC at the last walkies

August 2008

The last ever Book Trade Benevolent Society (BTBS) walk for the Book Trade Charity took place this year on 9 July. After the rain and wind of the day, the evening was warm and sunny, and the atmosphere was full of high spirits.

The PTC kicked off their walk at the Publishers Association's checkpoint, which was, in conjunction with Mills and Boon, celebrating its 100^th year. This checkpoint certainly had a loved-up theme as we were greeted with pink punch, canapés and a goody bag of love hearts and a copy of a Mills and Boon book. And John Whitley, the PTC’s CEO, was more than happy to get in on the fun Mills and Boon photo opportunity!

We then moved on to visit the rest of the eclectic checkpoints, meeting some great people – most in fancy dress – along the way. The hospitality was excellent and we were spoilt with beer at Folens, Pimms and sandwiches at Harper Collins and wine at Foyles. The most hardcore of us saw the night out and joined the hundreds of publishers, and those from the book trade, at the after party which was held at London nightclub Tiger Tiger.

The BTBS raises money for a very worthy cause; providing support to anyone who has worked a year or more in the book trade, whether as employee or freelance. This can include redundancy support, retraining grants and housing. David Hicks, Chief Executive of BTBS, has high hopes after this year’s event, and although he won’t find out for a couple of months yet, is hoping to have raised as much as £15,000.

It is a shame that this was the last walkies, but the event, which has been running since 1996, certainly went out with a bang and was a fun, memorable night for all who took part.

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