Goodbye to Shoemakers

This month something significant happens in Newbury – Shoemakers Bookshop closes. Shoemakers has been selling Christian books and Bibles in The Arcade for 20 years. Quite remarkable for an independent shop to operate successfully for so long. Shoemakers has been staffed by Steve Wood the manager, helped by a dedicated team of cheery volunteers. Behind them an equally dedicated team of faithful Trustees. Steve has been the manager all that time, always ready to find a book or Bible (in any language) - he quite likes the challenge. But there has been more to Shoemakers than books. It has also served as a meeting place, serving tea, coffee, and gluten free yummies. And a quiet, safe place. A prayer place. Shoemakers derives its name from Christopher Shoemaker – one of the Newbury Martyrs. He was burned at the stake in 1518 along with his friends for reading The Bible (see the plaque in Enbourne Rd). The startling image of Shoemaker holding his Bible aloft in the flames can be seen on the mosaic next by the library. So, it is goodbye to Shoemakers. Goodbye to Steve and the Team. And thank you for faithfully serving the people of Newbury and reminding us of the power of The Bible.