Book addict Richard Finch shares role books have played in his life with Wednesday Social Club members
Retired lecturer, teacher and school principal, Finch has always found solace in books.
Founder of the Ballito Book Readers, Richard Finch, was the guest speaker at the Wednesday Social Club’s monthly meeting at the Ballito Library last Wednesday.
Finch shared how books have played a significant part in his life over many decades.
The retired lecturer, teacher and school principal moved from the UK to South Africa in 2011 and is the owner of the Ekhaya Guesthouse, where the Ballito Book Readers meet on the last Wednesday of the month.
Finch told club members he was born out of wedlock to a black airman and white mother at the end of World War II, and against all odds at that time was adopted at 18 months by a white working class couple.
Although books did not feature in his adopted home, his mother always managed to procure books from friends and relatives and read to him regularly.
She and his devoted teachers planted a great love of books in him and the stories later became central to his profession as a teacher.
Today, every room and corner in his guesthouse is filled with books to share with whoever visits.
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