Back in the Borders #2

Tucked away down the Mill Wynd off the attractive cobbled market square in Kelso is Latimer Books, one of the other recently opened Border bookshops (see last posting). If I knew how to use the word eponymous it might fit here as the shop is run by Jane and Norman Latimer. And the tucked away point is important, with Norman's blog on http://www.latimerbooks.co.uk/ noting that they are looking for more noticeable premises. But if you are within striking distance of Kelso it is worth a call. Again no Tartan tourist tat on offer, which does not mean the absence of local or Scottish history. Indeed, my purchase was the Spirit of Jura anthology published by Polygon, nestling close on its shelf to one of my favourite books, Findings by Kathleen Jamie (Sort of Books). The shop is well stocked and I noticed our local writer Eve Makis on the shelves. Like so many small shops Latimer offers a fast order service, with Jane Latimer mentioning that on Mondays people pour in with clippings from the weekend broadsheets. This is a busy weekend for them, with a big stall at the Borders Union Agricultural Show, such is the nature of rural bookselling. A good opportunity to buy a new combine harvester and the new Helen Dunmore.