The Ride High Equestrian Centre will start a new chapter this week as it opens its doors to a novel audience of Milton Keynes’ finest bookworms for National Read A Book Day 2018.
Set in 37 acres of countryside in Loughton, in the heart of Milton Keynes, the centre will launch the first of its series of pop-up ‘You and a Book’ sessions this Thursday 6 September. Sessions give avid readers the opportunity of a quiet space to read without being disturbed by mobile phones, noisy business meetings or general chatter.
You and a Book is the brainchild of local life coach Clare Wildman, who grew her idea for pop-up reading rooms in the Entrepreneurial Spark Hub in Milton Keynes, launching the first trial event back in January 2018.
“I’ve been a bookworm as long as I can remember but I was finding it increasingly difficult to find a spot where I could have a drink with a bit of cake and still have peace to read,” said Clare. “Sometimes you just need quiet to help you disappear into a good book. The Ride High Equestrian Centre will be our fifth venue, and I’m delighted that they’ve chosen to open up their garden to our readers with the first session launching on National Read A Book Day 2018.”
Joanna Fay, Managing Director of the Ride High Equestrian Centre, said: “We’re always looking for new and diverse ways of using the space that we have here at the centre, and when Clare approached us to host the first outdoor session for You and a Book we couldn’t think of anywhere more peaceful and relaxing to sit and read than our garden. This secluded spot is perfect for those looking to get away from it all for an hour of peace and quiet, although they may hear the odd ‘clip clop’ of a pony’s hooves now and again!”
The pop-up reading rooms open when the venue is particularly quiet or closed, and readers can bring along anything they want to read, whether it’s a paperback, Kindle book, newspaper or magazine. For those worried about the great British weather there is a shelter in the garden, or for when it gets particularly cold readers can be sure of a warm welcome in the centre’s meeting room.
The sessions run every Thursday 12noon – 1pm and cost £5 which includes a hot or cold drink and biscuits or cake. Readers first sessions are free. For more details and to find out about other events at the centre, visit www.ridehighequestriancentre.co.uk/whats-on
