Vinylsessions Present Best Selling Local Author Rob Cowen

Join us for “Soundtrack of a Bestselling Book” with Rob Cowen, where we spin a dozen vinyl tracks that inspired the writing of The North Road.

For this event, we will use our modern Technics SL1210GR turntable and Marantz amp, paired with Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers. This setup will bring a diverse mix of music to life, including tracks by The Beatles, Underworld, George Harrison, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen and a few surprises.

Rob Cowen is a charismatic writer, bestselling author and outdoorsman. He left behind his life as a musician in Leeds and London and has since become one of the UK’s most original voices on nature, place and people.

His latest book, The North Road, published by Penguin Random House, is a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. It was also longlisted for the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing.

Rob is a former Harrogate resident. His 2015 book Common Ground, written from his home in Bilton and set in Nidd Gorge, was voted one of the top three UK nature books of all time in a BBC Winterwatch poll. For this special Vinyl Sessions event, he will select his favourite tracks from the legendary artists featured in The North Road.

Rob will also take part in a Q&A with Harrogate Advertiser journalist Graham Chalmers. They will discuss his musical influences and the journey behind the book, which follows a 400‑mile route from its historic roots in London to an archaeological dig near Catterick, ending on the outskirts of present‑day Edinburgh.

Every penny raised supports HHCC and our Harrogate SCBU project. Thanks to your generosity, we have now reached around 80% of our £10,000 target.

Tickets cost £7 plus the Eventbrite booking fee. To pay £7 at the door, please email [email protected].