MORE than 30,000 second-hand books have been sorted ahead of the next edition of an annual book sale in Peebles.

Tweeddale Peace Group volunteers receive donations most Fridays between Match and November which are put into categories, boxed and stored.

The School Brae storage space, a cellar, is almost full so the last collecting day before this year’s sale will be August 30.

“People are fantastically generous and most of the books are in very good condition,” said one volunteer.

Lesley Morrison, chair of the group, said: “Tweeddale Peace Group is proud to be part of an international network of groups and organisations striving to make the world a better, fairer, safer place.

“The book sale is a very special community event and people look forward to it each year.

“It’s a win-win – the books are on sale to be loved and read again and the sale raises in the region of £5,000 for peace and justice causes.

“We support the well-known charities like ‘Medical Aid for Palestinians’ and ‘Amnesty’ but are also keen to give to smaller, less well-known ones.”

The Book Sale, begun by Peter Norris, was first held in March 1986 to raise cash for ‘Mothers for Peace’ which was making connections with women in the Soviet Union and the USA during the Cold War.

And apart from a break during the Covid lockdowns, the group has held a sale every year since then.

On Friday, October 4, about 40 volunteers, including pupils from Peebles High School, will set to work moving trailer loads of books to the Burgh Hall. The sale will take place over that weekend.

With more books than can be displayed at once, the tables are replenished with new stock on Saturday evening.

“The Sunday is like a whole new sale,” explained an organiser. “The many and varied categories include a huge children’s section and an extensive CD section.

“During the sale there will be live music and time to skim through your chosen gems in the café with coffee or tea, homemade soup, bread, and scones freshly made on the spot.”

Book collecting for 2025 begins again a couple of weeks after the sale and the date will be on Facebook, on the cellar door in School Brae and in the Peeblesshire News.

Anyone who urgently needs to be relieved of books at any time can ring volunteer Andy Davey on 07774 115732.