Wigtown Book Town is 25

Yesterday, Wigtown celebrated 25 years since the Book Town Launch in 1998. Twenty five people gathered to celebrate as a representative of the many who have been instrumental to Wigtown's success, including Meta Maltman (pictured: centre), the former chair of Machars Action who set the original bid in motion. On a morning in the late 90s which has now become town folklore, Meta spotted an advertisement in her daily copy of the Glasgow Herald. An academic named Tony Seaton, who had researched the economic effects of literary tourism through Hay Festival, had issued an open call to Scottish towns to apply to become Scotland's National Book Town.

We were also joined by previous Book Town Committee member Donald King (pictured: right) and Sandra McDowall (left), who not only served as secretary for the committee but later as Wigtown Festival Company chair.

As in every festival, major event - and every other day of the year - we were joined by Grace Crichton, former Community Councillor, volunteer and staff member for Wigtown Book Festival and cornerstone of the community. Grace appears frequently in the photo archives in the same way her calm presence can seemingly be found around every corner in town; watering flowers, sorting wares for the community shop, welcoming strangers, ferrying children and countless other jobs and kindnesses, throughout Wigtown's recent history. In the adjacent photo, she can be seen attending an event at the very first Wigtown Book Festival.

Derek Crichton, former Area Manager, West, Les Jardine , former Director of Community Resources and Graham Trickey, former Head of Economic and Community Development joined Sandra McDowell to reminisce about the Book Town bid and how far Wigtown has come.