Sale raises $130 for trails trust

Comparing finds and catching up at the "no book, no entry" book swap at Dorothy Browns are (from...
Comparing finds and catching up at the "no book, no entry" book swap at Dorothy Browns are (from left) Vicky Jones, of Lower Shotover, Margo Pryde, of Lake Hayes, Joan Baker, of Tucker Beach, and Christine Hill, of Arrowtown. More than $130 was raised...

A "last-minute" book swap in Arrowtown proved popular at the weekend, with more than 30 people stopping to claim a good read, chat with fellow book aficionados and help the Wakatipu Trails Trust.

Inspired by a Parisian literature blog, Arrowtown book buyer and Queenstown Times columnist Miranda Spary decided on Thursday night to hold a "no book, no entry" book swap.

Despite the short notice, dozens of people turned up at Dorothy Browns, books in hand, to peruse the titles on offer from other participants and chat with other buyers about their finds.

"It was really fun and everyone seemed to have a great time meeting each other and talking about books .. We could even do one in Queenstown, as a lot of people over there wanted to come but couldn't make it out to Arrowtown," she said.

Those attending paid a gold coin on entry, and others gave more to take home more the one title.

More than $130 was raised for the Wakatipu Trails Trust.

Wakatipu Trails Trust chief executive Kaye Parker thought the event was a "fantastic idea, especially as Miranda has done it all herself".

Mrs Parker said the money would go towards the last $150,000 needed to complete the 90km Queenstown Trail, which will link the Kelvin Heights, Queenstown, Frankton, Lake Hayes and Gibbston communities through a network of tracks.

"We need to open the trail before September, so we need to raise the rest of the money before then," she said.

"There are some wonderful supporters who are in for third year and we are working out how to raise the rest of the money ... and luckily, the community are right behind it."

 

 

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