We received this letter from Joy Pugsley, a Cygnus reader from Devon:

'For many months I have been thinking of starting a regular Book Circle, similar to the one you run yourselves, and on several occasions thought of writing to you for advice on how I might start this up. I keep wondering whether you could offer printed guidelines on how to run such a Circle, encouraging as many circles as possible to start up, and using Cygnus books of course.

Then just a few days ago, whilst meditating, a thought came into my head that wouldn't it be fantastic if all these Circles were all reading and discussing the same books as you are in your Circle, at the same time! Somehow, it just seemed that it would bring us all together even more, as one big family.'

As you can imagine, we were very taken with that idea!

There are now more than 80 Cygnus Book Circles around the UK, and even some overseas. They are a great way to meet supportive, like-minded friends! So... if you would like to find out if there is a Cygnus Book Circle near you, or if you'd like to know more about how to start a Cygnus Book Circle yourself, please contact Customer Care on 01558 825500 or info@cygnus-books.co.uk and they will provide all the help you need.

Then if you wish us to add you to a special list of ?Book Circle Coordinators?, they will also send you a pack containing guidelines, and some posters so that you can advertise for members in local shops.

Cygnus Book Circle Selection

Each month we select a book that we think is ideal for your Book Circle discussion. We offer these books at extra discount when more than one copy is bought at a time, so it is worthwhile for coordinators to place an order for everyone from your group who wishes to buy it.

Book Circle Organisers

This list allows you to find a group in your area, or may prompt you into starting one if there isn't yet one near you.

England
Bedfordshire Luton, Jacqui Woolsey 0779 956 0695

Birmingham
Moseley, Andria Falk 0121 449 7705

Buckinghamshire
Amersham, Lesley Tulitt 07849 475387

Great Missenden, Maurice Roberts 01494 864639

Cheshire
Warrington, Giuliana Annibaldi 07886 846892 (or messages to 01925 243825)

Cornwall
Truro, Iyan Harris 01726 882547

County Durham
Sedgefield, Geraldine Richmond 01740 623110

Barnard Castle Area, June Terry 07968 487995

Derbyshire
Chesterfield, Pauline Walker 01246 276452

Glossop, Jacque Garside 01457 86 36 87


Devon
Exmouth, Ruby Horwell 01395 278543

Near Crediton, Caroline Sparke 01363 877427

Dorset
Dorchester, Christine Simmons 01305 266668

Poole/Bournemouth, Jennifer Meek 01202 690428

Essex
Brentwood, Gill Valentine 01277 821697

Elmstead Market, Pat Beeson 01206 827576

Greater Manchester

Prestwich, Liz Miller 0161 773 8232

Hampshire
Andover, Peter Dawson 01980 843527 

Lee-on-Solent, Jane Parvin 02392 553665

Southampton (East), Bitterne Park area Sally Phillips 02380 555441

Hertfordshire
Amersham, Lesley Tulitt 07849 475387

Isle of Man
Ramsey, Julie Dropinski 01624 813 812

Kent
Bromley, Jill Moore 0208 464 6943

Cranbrook, Karin Melbye 01580 753880

Nr Rochester, Christine Pexton 01634 725140

Sittingbourne, Zoe Nicholson 01795 426992

Whitstable, Susan Gander 01227 273680

Lancashire
Rochdale, Diane Batcheler 01706 661056

Wigan, Kate Jones 01257 427059

Leicestershire/Rutland
Oakham, Gill Wyatt 01780 720738

Lincolnshire
Lincoln, Nick & Sylvia Watts 01522 548588 & 01673 885810

North East Lincolnshire, Georgina Thackery 01472 317884

Waltham, Grimsby, Rosemary Turner 01472 828524

London
Highgate, Carol Collier 0208 348 9197

North Harrow, Renata Bartoli 0208 863 1055

Middlesex
Hampton, Justine Evans 0208 487 3631

Norfolk
Kings Lynn, Jacqueline Orves 01366 502170

Norwich, Sarah Price 01603 460446

Northamptonshire
Northampton, Soraya Kay Invernizzi 01327 341310

Nottinghamshire
Ravens Head, Nottingham, Corinne Warr 01623 797769

Shropshire
Broselwey, Oriole Cooper 01952 882034

Shrewsbury, Hannah Smith 01939 260148

Somerset
Somerton, Jay Jacobs 01458 274314

Staffordshire
Burton on Trent, Jane Sullivan 01283 845947

Gnosall, Yvonne Brown 01785 824956

Surrey
Kingston Upon Thames, Evelyn Hansen 0208 949 2742

Croydon/Bromley, Helene Pitt 0208 777 9375

East Sussex
Robertsbridge, Glenda Procter 01797 226100

Hartfield, Mrs D.Hynam 01892 770262

Polegate, Jane Jones 01323 870409

Tyne and Wear
Hebburn, Paul & Eileen Winch 01914 835619

Warwickshire
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Spiritual Network 01926 744962

Southam, Janet Cox 01926 814985

West Midlands
Coventry, Mary Avery 02476 690428

Sutton Coldfield, Ann Brown 01213 555282

Wiltshire
Marlborough, Alex Nicole Wax 01672 512044

Salisbury, Jane Mallen 01722 421289

Worcestershire
Malvern, Emma Savage & Sam Harlow 01684 897755

Yorkshire
Auckley, Doncaster, Joy Coulson 01302 770298

York, Haxby, Anne Sharp 01904 270368

Yorkshire, Ilkley, The Happiness Centre, Michael Conneely 07799 296821, 01943 601517

North Yorkshire, Whitby Area, Allison Linda 01947 880698


Otley, Dave Bathram 01943 461092

Wales
Cardiff
Fairwater, Gina Fisher 02920 901179

Mid Glamorgan
Caerphilly, Amos Jessie 01443 451650

Denbighshire
Denbigh, Pam Bradley 07887 489215

Gwent
Newport, Rachel Michna 01633 612275

Pembrokeshire
Clunderwen, Hazel Butterworth 01239 710249
Powys

Scotland
Angus
Dundee, Heather Knifton 01241 855590 (not yet up and running, but please do get in touch)

Ayrshire
Strathclyde, Agnes Stevens 01292 283021

Scottish Borders
Peeblesshire, Maureen Drennan 01896 833894

Shetland
Lerwick, Louise Burke 01595 693565

Eire, Republic Of Ireland
County Cork
Midleton, Sinead Solleveld 021 463 3594

County Galway
Salthill, Galway, Molly Molloy 087 315 6800

France
Tarn & Garonne, Near Auvillar Dept 82, Simone Hutchings 0563 95 39 65

For more information on Book Circles please contact Customer Care on 01558 825500 or email info@cygus-books.co.uk.

Thank you to all our members who suggested this development.