Editor David Carvel, who compiled the best of his friend's newspaper columns in a single volume entitled View From the Surgery, will be signing copies at the Market Place bookstore on Saturday (May 10).

A self-procalimed "loveable, old curmudgeon", Dr Moody is a general practitioner in the Borders who writes of his experiences in a regular column in local newspapers and now around eighty of these have been selected by his 'confidant and friend' for the compilation.

The book has been described as "an hilarious but poignant series of articles describing the cases of the many colourful characters who consult Dr Ken B Moody" and the doctor himself comments: "Like medication, it is suggested that these vignettes are not consumed in one go. Instead it is respectfully advised that the reader returns at specified intervals for measured and therapeutic doses."

View From the Surgery was launched last week and is available in bookshops and online. It will also be on sale at the Borders Book Festival.

Readers are invited to share a sherry and shortbread with David, who will be signing copies of the book, priced £6.00, at The Forest Bookstore between 11am and 1pm on Saturday, May 10.

Later this month, The Forest Bookstore will house a wall installation, By Air/Priority, by Ashkirk artist Kate Foster. Affiliated to Glasgow Sculpture Studios, Kate's other projects can be viewed at www.meansealevel.net