Regenerating Regional Culture: A Study of the International Book Town Movement Jane Elizabeth Frank BA (Hons) The University of Queensland MBus (Arts Mgt) Queensland University of Technology School of Humanities Arts, Education and Law Griffith University Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2015 Declaration This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, this thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the thesis itself. Jane Frank September 2015 ii Abstract This thesis explores the international Book Town Movement that, from its beginnings in the small Welsh market town of Hay-on-Wye in the early 1960s, has escalated to incorporate more than 50 villages and towns in 27 countries. This phenomenon has enabled peripheral communities in Europe and across the globe to reclaim their economic futures and impact on the cultural sphere as increasingly powerful sites and sources of creativity. This study seeks to understand the reasons for this renaissance of interest in the preservation of traditional print culture in the countryside at a point in history when the book publishing industry is in a state of flux as it adapts to new digital technologies and globalisation of markets, leading to a clarification of the relationship between new books and the second-hand book economy. At the centre of this investigation is an acknowledgement of the book as a unique item of cultural consumption and a catalyst in book town creation – at once a remarkable artefact and a springboard for contemporary cultural debate. Essential to an understanding of book towns is their location on the geographical periphery and their capacity to sustain regional culture and identity. This thesis analyses innovative book town examples from diverse parts of the world using four key research methods: site-based research, case study research, cultural policy research and book culture research. This research aims to inform a broader discussion of regional regeneration and cultural policy development through an investigation of book towns as ‘down on their luck’ places, reanimated to celebrate remarkable pasts and designed to captivate a growing middle-class cohort drawn to nostalgia, history, cultural heritage and tranquil rural settings that deliver both intellectual stimulation and wellbeing. The synergy of the book town ethos with a number of evolving global tourism trends – including cultural tourism and, more recently, post-tourism – has heightened their desirability. By exploring the history and origins of the Book Town Movement, the thesis links book towns to the entrepreneurship of bibliophiles seeking more utopian lifestyles, and culture-led regeneration by governments wanting to harness their capacity to increase social capital and generate economic revival. iii Dedication For my sons, Euan and Alastair Cummiskey iv Acknowledgements I sincerely thank my Principal Supervisors, Professor Kay Ferres and Dr Stephanie Green, for their intellectual rigour and guidance in the development of this thesis. I was energised by Kay’s expertise, professionalism and generosity. Stephanie’s feedback was both valuable and challenging, and I was encouraged throughout by her warmth and enthusiasm. Along the way, there were other critical readers and contributors: special thanks to Hugh McMillan for his unflagging editorial advice and encouragement; Dr Beverley Wood – herself a passionate bibliophile – for providing me with useful media materials and ephemera, and showing sustained interest in the project; Dr Susanna Chamberlain, Professor Barbara Pini and Associate Professor Patricia Wise for their insights; Dr Rosslyn McCarthy and Shane McCarthy, my aunt and uncle, for reading early drafts and providing ongoing support; and Susan Jarvis for editing my work prior to submission. The research was made possible by the many experts in Australia, Scotland, Wales, England and the Republic of Ireland who shared their experiences, knowledge and time in interviews. Their willingness to have their ideas and opinions expressed in this thesis greatly strengthened the research, so I extend grateful thanks to Pamela Bakes, Leo Berkelouw, Richard Booth MBE, Professor Patrick Buckridge, Joanna Chambers, Ian Cochrane, Dr Ros Derrett OAM, John Edmondson, Daniel Gschwind, Bill Hauritz, Paul McShane, Laurie Muller, Carole Nelson, Anne Nioa, Jane O’Hara, Peter Playden, Brian Roberts, Steve Rosa, Ted Sharkey, Robyn Sheahan-Bright, Peter Shiotz, Gill Swales, Adrian Turpin, Joyce Watson, David Williams and Carolyn Yates. For other advice and assistance, my thanks go to Dr Sarah Baker, Joan Benson, Mary Bromilow, Susan FitzGerald, Dr Margaret Gibson, John Heddon, Katrina Henderson, Professor Chris Lee, Dr Donna Little, Emeritus Professor Jennifer Radbourne, Dr Chris Schmidt and Professor Ian Woodward. I am most appreciative of the support of family and friends. To my husband, Peter Cummiskey, and young sons, Euan and Alastair, I thank you for the sacrifices you have made over many years as I persevered with this thesis, sometimes to the detriment of family life. I acknowledge a lifetime of love and support of my parents Alexander and Kathleen Frank. For their ongoing interest and encouragement, I am also grateful to Helen Bird, Catherine Black, Amanda Boyce, Cate Campbell, Samantha Clark, Tony Compier, Roger Frank, David and Pamela Gulland, Margot Hill, Susan Hillhouse, Georgina McKeown, Vicki Mackintosh, Wendy Mort, Noelle Ogden and Maria Porter. v vi Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. v Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Definition of a Book Town .................................................................................................... 3 The IOB and International Networks ..................................................................................... 8 Thesis Aims .......................................................................................................................... 11 Thesis Outline ...................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 1 Literature Review ................................................................................................ 18 Tony Seaton: Book Towns and Tourism.............................................................................. 19 Networked Book Towns in Europe ...................................................................................... 22 Agendas Inspiring Book Town Formation ........................................................................... 24 Print and Book Culture ......................................................................................................... 28 Clusters of Books ................................................................................................................. 32 Cultural Tourists/Post-Tourists ............................................................................................ 34 Investigative Terrain ............................................................................................................ 36 Site-based Research .......................................................................................................... 37 Case Study Research ........................................................................................................ 39 Cultural Policy Research .................................................................................................. 42 Print Culture and Connectivity ......................................................................................... 44 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 44 Chapter 2 Hay-on-Wye: ‘A Town of Travellers Who Stopped’ ........................................ 46 Booth: Destined for a Life in Books .................................................................................... 47 An Economy of Poverty ....................................................................................................... 48 Revival of Self-sufficiency................................................................................................... 50 The Role of the Eccentric Entrepreneur ............................................................................... 53 vii The First Book Town: A Fantasy Kingdom ......................................................................... 54 Local, Global and Book Sector Changes Help Build an Empire ......................................... 57 The Hay Festival: Universally Acclaimed but Detested by Hay’s Second-hand Booksellers ..................................................................................................... 61 Two Separate Worlds: New and Second-Hand Books......................................................... 64 Why Hay-on-Wye Can’t Easily be Replicated .................................................................... 66 Chapter 3 Slow Books: Book Towns as Third Places ........................................................