Thursday, May 18, 2006

Christian Aid Week







It’s Christian Aid Week in the UK. Christian Aid is, in my opinion, one of the best charities. The work they do is first rate in relieving hunger and poverty, in campaigning for fairer trade, and (sadly) is born of necessity. They operate without reference to the beliefs or politics of those who benefit from their input.

In Edinburgh, the biggest second-hand book sale in Europe takes place on behalf of Christian Aid each year during this week. I dropped in yesterday and picked up three poetry collections – Peter Porter’s Afterburner, Kate Clanchy’s Slattern, John Ashbery’s Where Shall I Wander.

All that amazes me is why anyone would want to give these collections away. Unwanted Christmas presents? But to whoever passed them on – thank you!

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