Oakleaf Books opened in Wolverton in March 1979. It was a radical community bookshop, owned co-operatively and run collectively.

It closed at the end of 1985. Its story survives in a study written by one of its workers, Ben Plumpton.

The study names Jane and Andrew as driving forces in setting up the shop. A wider network helped with maintenance, publicity and “shop-sitting”.

A supporters’ newsletter connected people around the shop.

Oakleaf’s “Root and Branch Distribution” took locally produced books and pamphlets to other bookshops and newsagents.

It was one way the shop helped local writing travel beyond its own shelves.

Today’s Oakleaf in Folkestone pays respect to that earlier shop and the people who made it.

Our own experiment begins with books, trust, sharing skills and making room for one another.