Local author to talk at village pub’s popular book club
A village pub near Sleaford is bringing books and community together with a special event featuring local author Clive Simpson.
The Brass Windmill in Helpringham will host an author talk with Clive on Wednesday (June 24), at 1.30pm following the success of its growing monthly book club.
Clive, who lives in neighbouring Little Hale, will talk about his novel Flood Waters Down, as well as what inspired him to write it and his journey from journalist to author.
Signed copies of the book will also be available to buy.
Tickets for non-members cost £5 and advance booking is required via The Brass Windmill on 01529 421921 or through the pub’s Facebook page.
Set in a flooded future version of Lincolnshire, Flood Waters Down imagines life in the low-lying Fens as climate change reshapes familiar landscapes.
The talk is the latest initiative by Brass Windmill owners Tony and Katie Carter, who have worked to build the pub into a hub for village life since taking it over in 2023.
As well as regular live music, karaoke, children’s holiday activities and a café, the pub now hosts a thriving monthly book club with around 20 members.
The idea came from Helpringham resident Debs Charlesworth, an avid reader who wanted to create something for local book lovers.
The club has also developed links with local independent bookseller The Travelling Bookshop, run by Kayleigh Panton.
Katie Carter said the club had quickly become an important part of village life.
“We really wanted to create something community-based,” she said. “Not everybody wants karaoke or live music, and there wasn’t really anything for people who love books.
“The idea was to bring people together, especially during the darker months, and give people another reason to come out, meet others and do something different.
“It’s snowballed in the loveliest way. We’ve now got around 20 members, people choosing books, discussions and even remote readers joining in. It’s become a real community thing.”
Katie said inviting a local author to speak felt like a natural next step.
“Because Clive is local and the book is rooted in places people know, it seemed like a great opportunity,” she said. “We’re really excited to welcome him and open it up to the wider public as well.”
Clive, Editor-in-Chief of the international magazine ROOM Space Journal, said he was looking forward to the event.
“There’s something special when talking about books in a local setting, especially so close to the landscape that inspired the story,” he said.
“Flood Waters Down grew out of concerns about climate change and flooding, but at its heart it’s about people, resilience and community – themes that feel particularly relevant in rural Lincolnshire.”
The Brass Windmill café will also be open from 11am on the day, serving homemade cakes, breakfasts and lunches ahead of the talk.