Tom Wright 'tweets' at Sarum College Bookshop

Friday 8th May was a day of great excitement, as Sarum College Bookshop hosted Professor Tom Wright, former Bishop of Durham and New Testament scholar, as part of his 2015 author tour.

Tom had last been in Salisbury in 2010, when he gave the Sarum Theological Lectures at the Cathedral, which led to the book How God Became King (SPCK).

Tom was charm itself. He arrived early and went to Evensong; by the time he returned a crowd of around 70 had gathered. The evening started with a glass of wine followed by introductions from bookshop manager, Jenny Monds, and Alan Mordue of SPCK. Then Professor Wright spoke to the theme of his new book Simply Good News, reading extracts along the way. From the start, with an amusing story, the audience were in his hands. Olivia Carson from SPCK was ‘live tweeting’ throughout, and to her (and our) surprise, when it came to questions, she received one via Twitter! (‘What is your favourite book of the Bible?’) When she said, “Please answer in 140 characters”, everyone laughed, but he managed it! (Answer: “Isaiah, because it makes sense of the rest of the Bible”).

Jenny Monds said: “It was a memorable evening, lots of books were sold, and a customer said ‘I hope it won’t be four years before you come again’. So do we!