A MALVERN actor famed for his role on the biggest soap opera on British radio is to open a new bookshop in his home town this weekend.
Alex Jones, who plays Clive Horrobin in BBC Radio 4’s Archers, will be delivering a series of Christmas readings to celebrate the official opening of Onside’s new charity book store Read and Ride on Saturday (December 7).
Located at a former waiting room at Great Malvern Railway Station, Mr Jones will be presenting the readings every hour from 1pm to 4pm.
The shop is different to any other charity bookshop with organisers from the charity creating a vintage look and feel to it and selling other items such as suitcases, walking sticks, umbrellas and locally designed cards and bags.
Onside, which was launched 20 years ago and has more than 200 volunteers on board, helps improve the lives of more than 2,700 vulnerable adults across Worcestershire and Herefordshire every year.
Ian Harding from Onside told the Observer: “This is a very exciting time for the charity and this new bookshop is to help raise our profile as much as raise funds.
“As well as raising vital funds for Onside, to support disadvantaged local people, the shop will also give the people we support an opportunity to participate in a retail environment and learn new skills.
“We are delighted Alex accepted our invitation and when we handed out fliers for the opening a lot of people showed interest because of him coming along.
“Having this shop has taken a while coming but we are delighted to be there following discussions with London Midland and Malvern Hills District Council.”
Visit www.onside-advocacy.org.uk for more information about the charity.
