Keith Leonard 1948-2009
C | 12.08.2009 21:58
Keith Leonard was a co-founder of Mushroom Bookshop, Nottingham's alternative and radical bookshop (which served hippies, activists and other malcontents between 1972-2000). He sadly died at the QMC on August 7th, from heart problems, after years of living with disability.
Keith was born in Kent and studied maths at Cambridge. But in 1972, after a spell as a landscape gardener and suitably bearded and longhaired, he set up Mushroom with his then partner.
The first Mushroom premises were at 261 Arkwright Street, near Trent Bridge, and books bought there could always be recognised by their distinctive aroma of joss sticks and incense, which were also sold, alongside craft items, badges and hippy paraphernalia. The first book sold was by Spike Milligan, and it was many months before turnover reached £100 per week. But the shop served a large community and, supported by the founders supplementing it with part time work, managed to expand. Keith had no training or previous experience as a bookseller, but in those days it was possible to ask advice and learn as you went along.
When the Meadows were redeveloped, Mushroom moved to Heathcote Street in the Lace Market - first to a small shop which had previously sold wool and baby clothes, and then over the road to number 10. In 1979, on learning of a hoped-for pregnancy, Keith and his partner expanded the Mushroom collective to around five people. Sadly, his first baby only lived for two days, but a year later Keith's daughter Anna was born, bringing much joy.
In those pre-internet days, Nottingham's radical bookshop played a large role in Nottingham's activist community. Literature sold helped to set the agenda of the day, and notices and leaflets in the shop helped like-minded people to come together. Mushroom stocked a large range of radical papers and magazines as well as books, and some groups, such as previous Nottingham Anarchist groups, were set up as a result of communications through the shop. Mushroom played a large part in the anti-nuclear movement, and published some pamphlets. It acted as a forum for the spreading of ideas. It also suffered unwanted attention from both fascists and police.
Keith's varied interests included music, walking, poetry (which he also wrote), photography and, of course, books. He loved the Peak District, but this love was overtaken when he discovered the Lake District. Keith suffered a stroke unexpectedly in 1998, and wasn't able to work after that. He lived in Aspley and Basford until his death.
His cremation will take place on August 19th.
The first Mushroom premises were at 261 Arkwright Street, near Trent Bridge, and books bought there could always be recognised by their distinctive aroma of joss sticks and incense, which were also sold, alongside craft items, badges and hippy paraphernalia. The first book sold was by Spike Milligan, and it was many months before turnover reached £100 per week. But the shop served a large community and, supported by the founders supplementing it with part time work, managed to expand. Keith had no training or previous experience as a bookseller, but in those days it was possible to ask advice and learn as you went along.
When the Meadows were redeveloped, Mushroom moved to Heathcote Street in the Lace Market - first to a small shop which had previously sold wool and baby clothes, and then over the road to number 10. In 1979, on learning of a hoped-for pregnancy, Keith and his partner expanded the Mushroom collective to around five people. Sadly, his first baby only lived for two days, but a year later Keith's daughter Anna was born, bringing much joy.
In those pre-internet days, Nottingham's radical bookshop played a large role in Nottingham's activist community. Literature sold helped to set the agenda of the day, and notices and leaflets in the shop helped like-minded people to come together. Mushroom stocked a large range of radical papers and magazines as well as books, and some groups, such as previous Nottingham Anarchist groups, were set up as a result of communications through the shop. Mushroom played a large part in the anti-nuclear movement, and published some pamphlets. It acted as a forum for the spreading of ideas. It also suffered unwanted attention from both fascists and police.
Keith's varied interests included music, walking, poetry (which he also wrote), photography and, of course, books. He loved the Peak District, but this love was overtaken when he discovered the Lake District. Keith suffered a stroke unexpectedly in 1998, and wasn't able to work after that. He lived in Aspley and Basford until his death.
His cremation will take place on August 19th.
C
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janetstruther@googlemail.com
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