Humble By Nature

“I’ve spent a large part of my working life being upstaged by animals and although this book is ostensibly about the joys – and perils – of rescuing a farm, it is also a warning to anyone who loses their heart to a mongrel.  You will never be the centre of attention again.” - Kate Humble

In 2007, after nearly twenty years of living in London, Kate Humble and her Husband Ludo packed their bags and left the noisy city streets for the muddy hillsides of The Wye Valley. They rescued a smallholding from near closure, re-built it to its former glory and set up a rural skills and animal husbandry school alongside it. And is if that wasn't enough, Kate has continued to win her way into the nations hearts with her various TV projects and documentaries. 

"In A Shop With Books In..."

The Bookshop Band

@TheBookshopBand just had a customer in talking about last night - 'I'm lost for words...' (in a good way!).

— Mainstreet Trading (@mainstreethare) June 23, 2013

This tweet is the only way we could think to describe our evening with 'The Bookshop Band'! The supremely talented, (and equally charming) Somerset three piece, delighted our SOLD OUT audience with a whole library of bookish melodies and witty tales of bookshops past. All washed down with scrumptious Paella (made by Shaun and Vivian with game from Burnside Farm Foods, and seasonal local vegetables) and a pint or two of Foxy Blonde Ale from The Scottish Borders Brewery.

'Be Inspired' - We Are Reading

Circus & Other Stories BY SAMUEL MARSHAK

Reviewed by Rosamund

This newly translated collection of Russian stories was originally published in the 1920's. Each page is filled with a magical combination of fiction, poetry, painting and typography, based on the idea that children's picture books are valuable cultural objects in their own right.

The Set Table BY HANNAH SHUCKBURGH

Reviewed by Phillippa

If like me, you find endless pleasure in setting a table for an evening with

friends, you will love this collection of inspiring and resourceful ideas from

stylist and writer Hannah Shuckburgh. This thoughtfully put together book

celebrates the sharing of meals with loved ones, and the beauty in even the

smallest of gatherings.

The Great Gatsby BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

Reviewed by Phillippa

As Baz Lurhman’s eagerly anticipated blockbuster has just hit the sliver screen, the

charm of F. Scott Fitzergerald 1920’s classic is set for a major revival. Re-live

the furtive charm of Jay Gatsby and the vulnerability of Daisy Buchanan, in

their timeless Jazz age love story.

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup BY SHARON CREECH

Reviewed by Vivian

One of my favourite children's stories to read aloud at bedtime. The wonderful Granny Torrelli, with the best Italian/American accent I could muster, solves her young grand-daughters problems while they chop veg for the evening meal. A joy to read & a heart-warming story too, what more could you ask for?

Discover The Book Burrows

In the depths of our bookshop, under an arch, you may have spotted two secret doors...

The Book Burrows

One cold January morning, our team of in-house artists began working on a secret project. After some research, and lots of collecting, the idea for 'The Book Burrow' was formed. Based on an idea Rosamund had dreamt up in the early days of Mainstreet, we set out to convert two dusty cobwebbed cupboards under the stairs into listening dens, for children to experience the joy of audio books.

Click below for more!

Welcome!

W e l c o m e 

t o 

THE MAINSTREET PRESS!

This Summer The Mainstreet Trading Company turns 5! In celebration we decided to create a blog to give you a little insight into daily life at Mainstreet. In the 5 years since husband and wife team Rosamund and Bill de la Hey converted the former auction house into a beautiful bookshop and cafe, the shop has proudly received national awards, been host to some truly inspiring authors and more recently expanded to include a wonderfully eclectic new Deli and Home shop. Our community has grown with us, and for that we thank you!

If you are a regular customer at Mainstreet, you may have already read our quarterly newsletters, (visit the archive on our website) in which we offer book reviews and recommendations, recipe ideas, event listings and news from our team. Well, think of this blog as the expanded digital version of our printed newsletter! Keep checking back to see what we're up to, we hope you leave feeling inspired...