AS winter begins to give way to spring, The Bookery is delighted to welcome back Soup and Stories—a cosy Friday gathering filled with warmth, good food, and gentle storytelling.

It will take place in the Crediton bookshop every Friday from 6 February 6 to March 27, from 12.30pm to 2pm at The Bookery.

Following the success of previous sessions, Soup and Stories returns with the same much-loved themes—Journeys, Beginnings, Surprises, Celebrations, Other Worlds, and Change—offering inspiration for stories, poems, and readings selected by our welcoming volunteers.

Each session may explore one or several of these themes, creating space for surprise, reflection, and connection.

Sometimes reflective, sometimes joyful, always welcoming—you don’t need to take or say anything, just go as you are and enjoy the moment.

Soup and Stories takes place in a Warm Space and is open to all within the community.

Enjoy hot, nourishing soup provided by Bookery partners at The Turning Tides Project, alongside stories, discussions, poetry, and more. Whether you go to listen, share, or simply be part of the conversation, everyone is welcome—and everything is free of charge.

“This is one of my favourite things we do at The Bookery,” says one of the volunteers. “People come in from the cold, sit down with a cup of soup, and before long, they’re sharing stories and laughter. It’s simple, but it really brings people together.”

This season of Soup and Stories forms part of The Bookery’s proud support for the National Year of Reading 2026, celebrating the power of words and conversation to bring people together.

No booking is required. The Bookery offers wheelchair access and an accessible toilet. Just drop in, pull up a chair, and join in for soup, stories, and community.