I’ve been enjoying reading Rosamunde Pilcher’s books for a few years now, not nearly as long as my childhood penpal has been. Rosamunde Pilcher’s books are amazingly popular in Germany. I so wish that I could visit Bude in Cornwall to attend the celebrations to mark her 90th birthday, but as we have just returned from holiday it’s just not possible, Cornwall is a long way from Fife. If you live within easier striking distance you might want to hop along to Bude and take part in the celebrations.
Debbie Cousins has written to me about a couple of events to celebrate Rosamunde Pilcher’s 90th birthday and 25th anniversary since the publication of The Shell Seekers.
We are hosting an art Exhibition in Bude, inviting Cornish Artists to participate by submitting their work inspired by “The Shell Seekers”. The event will be from 11 Sep-4 Oct 2014 in Bude, there is also a food festival planned over weekend of 19-21 Sep. We have a limited number of signed novels available.
PRESS RELEASE:
The Shell Seekers: Cornish Artists and Artisans Honour Rosamunde Pilcher
11 September 2014 – 4 October 2014
The Castle, Bude, Cornwall, UK EX23 8LG
Two special events in Bude, Cornwall have been planned to celebrate author Rosamunde Pilcher’s 90th birthday. The author’s novels are mainly based in Cornwall and filmed adaptions attract flocks of tourists, particularly German, every year.
Rosamunde Pilcher’s birthday, in September, will also mark more than 25 years since the release of one of her most famous works “The Shell Seekers” – the story of a family heirloom painting.
The Bude events are an exhibition entitled “The Shell Seekers: Cornish Artists Honour Rosamunde Pilcher” at The Castle, from 11 September 2014 until 4 October 2014
and an inaugural Bude For Food festival, showcasing the very best food, drink, hospitality and restaurants Bude and the surrounding area has to offer, from 19-21 September 2014, also at The Castle grounds. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase the original art from the exhibition.
The Shell Seekers was published in 1987 and is a semi-autobiographical novel revealing life from the Second World War to the 1980’s. Following the life story of Penelope Keeling it examines her relationships with her parents, husband, her three children and lost loves, with resounding honesty. “The Shell Seekers” is a painting bestowed on Penelope as a wedding present from her father, a famous painter. Penelope has a dilemma of what to do with the painting, as her father’s works have become very valuable.
Cornish Artists who would like to take part in the artists’ exhibition should get in contact with Lynne Holehouse, at Seventh Wave Gallery in Bude, or for the Bude For Food Festival please contact Richard and Fionagh Harding from Cornish Charcuterie. Visitors will be able to keep up to date with these events through www.TheShellSeekers.co.uk website.
German tourists come to Cornwall thanks to ZDF, a Germany TV production company who has produced more than 100 of Rosamunde Pilcher’s stories for TV and are set and filmed primarily in Cornwall. These programmes have become a Sunday TV institution for German families.
We look forward to welcoming you to these events.
Seventh Wave Gallery – Tel: 01288 356935 www.seventhwavegallery.co.uk
Bude for Food Festival – Tel: 07436 531689 www.budeforfood.co.uk