Alan Bennett showed his support for the campaign to Save Kensal Rise Library and it was a full house for the writer last night at St Martin’s Church on Mortimer Road.
Four hundred people cheered his support of Kensal Rise Library (‘It’s nothing short of child abuse’) and chuckled at readings from his diary.
He recalled an occasion where he was speaking to the Lady in the Van outside his house: ‘May I get you a cup of coffee,’ asks Alan… ‘Oh no no no. I wouldn’t want to be any trouble at all,’ says Miss Shepherd. ‘Oh, OK, maybe just half a cup.’)
A great question from the floor:
‘What is the one book we should all read before we die?’
Alan Bennett: Nancy Mitford ‘Pursuit of Love’
Tim Lott was an excellent host, and we got home just in time to catch him on Newsnight talking about how unsupportive Brent Council has been in helping our community find a solution to saving Kensal Rise Library.
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Was great to see him speak. Wasn’t how I expected him to sound for some reason. Unforgettable. Thanks for capturing a special evening.
See Newsnight on BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b011kvm0/?t=26m48s