Gift-wrapped books with handwritten love letters hidden in London parks
Walkers in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens may find more than just the first signs of spring this weekend, as a group of older Londoners are hiding their most cherished books around the Royal Parks as a Valentine’s gift to the city.
With Valentine’s Day coinciding with International Book Giving Day, the initiative aims to share the wisdom and life stories of older generations, with each gift-wrapped book containing a handwritten love note from the owner. These letters explain the deep personal meaning the book holds and the memories it carries from their past.
The initiative has been organised by local residents who are in receipt of home care, with their activity supported by the care team at Venelle, a high-end homecare provider which operates across London and the home counties, who have helped them find appropriate hiding spots. It forms part of an ongoing initiative from Venelle centred on fostering community connections.
By leaving these books in public spaces, the participants are transforming their personal histories into a shared gift for a stranger to find, with the personal stories behind the books at the heart of the project. “Mrs B” has chosen to share Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats because it represents the time she spent with her late daughter. Her handwritten note explains that she used to read the poems aloud to her daughter and the laughter they shared lives on in those pages. She hopes the person who finds it will cherish simple moments with their own loved ones.
Another local resident, “Mr B”, is gifting a copy of The Secret of Secrets. He currently reads the story in tandem with his son as a way to stay connected each week, and his letter describes how their conversations about the plot mean more to him than the book itself.
“Mrs D” has hidden a vintage cookbook that was a gift from her sister for her 25th birthday. She has used it to cook for her family for more than five decades and her note describes how the recipes evoke clear memories, saying “Every page reminds me of my sister and those early days of motherhood" as she wishes its finder well.
Louise Blezzard, CEO and founder of Venelle, whose team have helped its care clients find appropriate hiding spots, said: “These books are more than a simple gift for passersby; they are a way for our clients to share the perspectives and experiences they’ve gathered over the years. At Venelle, we believe that staying connected to the local community is vital at any age and this project is a wonderful way to facilitate a genuine exchange between neighbours, allowing these personal stories to reach a new generation of Londoners.”
Those who discover a book are invited to keep it as a gift, and the organisers hope the finders will feel a sense of connection with the person who left it and perhaps share their own story in return - helping to pass on deeper social connections alongside their personal memories.
For more information about the initiative and to read the stories behind the books, please visit https://www.venellelife.co.uk/journal/love-letters or email [email protected].