Borrow a book for your journey
The popular Bookswap at Wimbledon station has been the inspiration for an award-winning similar scheme in Ealing.
Regular commuters will be familiar with the poster (right) promoting the Wimbledon Bookswap in the waiting room between platforms 5 and 6.
It was set up by Anthony Fairclough, with the backing of South West Trains, after he heard about the success of a similar scheme in Raynes Park.
Passengers are encouraged to borrow or take books for free - returning them when they're finished with them, or donating another book in return.
Mr Fairclough said: "It's a really good way to make use of your old books – just drop them in the waiting room, so that other commuters can enjoy them too.
"Hundreds of books have already passed through the scheme, on a huge number of topics and we've also managed to negotiate for Wimbledon library to give us some of their old books. It will hopefully help to make rail journeys just that little bit more pleasant!"
Taking advice from Mr Fairclough, Chris Gilson set up a Bookswap at West Ealing last year. And his scheme then won a competition for ideas on how to improve life in London.
Meanwhile, the Wimbledon Bookswap goes from strength-to-strength and a Facebook page has been set up to keep regular users in touch. Just go to Facebook and search for the "Wimbledon Station Bookswap" group.
January 6, 2012