Racy Fifty Shades of Grey replaces bible at Lake District hotel

12:00pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Helen Perkins, Reporter

Wayne Bartholomew with the racy book at the hotel Wayne Bartholomew with the racy book at the hotel

A HOTEL boss has swapped Bibles in his bedrooms for copies of the raunchy novel Fifty Shades of Grey – and the local vicar is not happy.

The Rev Michael Woodcock spoke of his dismay after hearing about the book of choice at the Damson Dene Hotel, Crosthwaite.

He said it was ‘a great shame’ to replace the Gideon Bibles at the rural retreat with an explicit, erotic novel.

Hotel manager Wayne Bartholomew said the move to install the steamy bestseller was in response to popular demand.

Mr Bartholomew, who starred in Channel 4’s first series of The Hotel, said the book was all people were talking about but many were too shy to buy it.

“I thought it would be a special treat for our guests to find it in their bedside cabinet and that includes the men too,” he said. “They are as desperate to get their hands on a copy as the women.”

He added: “The Gideon Bible is full of references to sex and violence, although it’s written using more formal language, so James’s book is easier to read.

The hotel said the Gideon Bible would remain available at the reception desk.

Crosthwaite parish priest Mr Woodcock oversees services at the nearby St Mary’s Parish Church and spoke of his disappointment at the hotel’s move.

“It is a great shame that Bibles have been removed from rooms and very inappropriate to have been replaced by an explicit erotic novel,” he said.

“The Bible remains a source of comfort and inspiration that many people do find helpful.”

A Diocesan spokesperson said: “Fifty Shades of Grey is all the rage but is likely to be a passing fad. The Bible is a classic, shaped and reshaped by Jewish and Christian communities over many centuries; it is also an enduring source of comfort to travellers around the world and, we believe, the words of life.

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“It is unclear why anyone would think it appropriate to replace the latter with the former.”

Comments(25)

Witty Tanker says...
12:14pm Thu 19 Jul 12

I don't see what all the fuss is about - one work of fiction has been replaced by another work of fiction.

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Lava says...
1:41pm Thu 19 Jul 12

The Damson Dene will do absolutely ANYTHING to get a mention in the press!

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tictoc1 says...
1:49pm Thu 19 Jul 12

I've read all 3 books, more than once and love them. However, I would really want to see them in my hotel room. I am rather old fashioned at times and do like to see a bible....

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life cycle too says...
5:19pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Assuming they already have Gideon bibles in the rooms, why not leave them and have both books!

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FrontalLobe says...
7:21pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Lava wrote:
The Damson Dene will do absolutely ANYTHING to get a mention in the press!
Quite possibly this is a publicity stunt but then people do far worse things to drum up business and times are hard after all...

I do find it amusing that the old sky pilots gets so upset when, as they see it somebody steps on their toes. Anyway, as the manager says they can hardly complain when their own book is full of sex and smiting and such like.

They have had things all their own way for centuries. Until recent times they have been able to push their superstitious, unevidenced propaganda without resistance. What evidence is there that lots of travellers take comfort from it? How many? Has any independent body done an objective survey?
Perhaps some atheists and agnostics are actually irritated by someone else’s book of yarns taking up space in the sock drawer.

If you are that keen on it why not bring your own?

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Lakeslady99 says...
8:40pm Thu 19 Jul 12

If Christians are outraged by Fifty Shades, then, it should not be simply because EL James has made it acceptable to read pornographic stories on the train, but because those stories are, like video ****, teaching and advocating sexual dysfunction. They subtly feed readers a story which feels exciting, but – when fiction becomes experimentation becomes reality – results in an abusive distortion of real love and healthy sex.

Love and sex shouldn’t be about violence, fear and cheap intrigue. When it comes to sex, the Bible provides a far more fulfilling framework than EL James’ sadistic anti-hero.

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Lakeslady99 says...
8:40pm Thu 19 Jul 12

If Christians are outraged by Fifty Shades, then, it should not be simply because EL James has made it acceptable to read pornographic stories on the train, but because those stories are, like video ****, teaching and advocating sexual dysfunction. They subtly feed readers a story which feels exciting, but – when fiction becomes experimentation becomes reality – results in an abusive distortion of real love and healthy sex.

Love and sex shouldn’t be about violence, fear and cheap intrigue. When it comes to sex, the Bible provides a far more fulfilling framework than EL James’ sadistic anti-hero.

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katkinson73 says...
9:51pm Thu 19 Jul 12

Brilliant lol

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Stargazeratdawn says...
7:52am Fri 20 Jul 12

I've been travelling for over 36 years both in and outside the uk. I have to say that I've never had need to use the bible in the drawer in my room. But that's not say I wouldn't need it in the future. Perhaps I'm just fortunate that my life hasn't reached such a low level. But it is good to know that the bible 'is' in the room. That's the point here. It's there in case of times when guests need comfort and some direction.
I'm assuming that the damson dene management screen the age of guests and do not simply leave a copy of this erotic book for young people to access? How do they achieve this? Do they ask families checking in...."would you like an alarm call.....and oh...an erotic novel?.....

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Lakeuk says...
8:45am Fri 20 Jul 12

Lava wrote:
The Damson Dene will do absolutely ANYTHING to get a mention in the press!
And that's what makes a good business, driving in new customers. The owner has been on Radio Cumbria this morning talking on how the Olympics has seen a drop in bookings from Japan so they've been using websites to get in new customers with discounts.

In contrast the owner of the Fairfield in Windermere was on also saying they've had a big drop in Japanese bookings, were disappointed at the lack of promotion of cumbria to drive in business and weren't in the same position to be able to pay the commissions to get on the discount sites as each of their rooms had to pay it's way. This I don't understand if he can't afford to use the websites then why isn't he using other free ways to promote his business and other discounts he can afford - surely income from a discounted room is better than no income from an empty room

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suziedevon says...
9:44am Fri 20 Jul 12

Jonathan Denby, aka Peter Jonathan Denby, just wants his name in the news and isn't worried who it offends. He tells people different stories depending on who it is, ie to some The Hotel was a great hit but to others it hadn't done much as people were just wanting to see Wayne and not staying. It had been heard that it was more the Jeremy Kyle viewers who were visiting, classy!

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redhairedgranny says...
11:34am Fri 20 Jul 12

WHY???? If I wanted to read 50 Shades of Grey on holiday, I would buy my own copy. The thought of reading a book like that after other people have read it, yeuch!!!

The Bible has stood the test of time, thousands of years. 50 Shades will be forgotten about in months. Why did Mr Denby not put the Harry Potter series in his hotel rooms? Because it wasn't controversial enough that why!

If he must have this book in his rooms then why not have the Bible in there as well? Having one available in reception is just not good enough.

Speaking to others about this book, its badly written and at times violent. Ok so the Bible has sex and violence in it but not as graphic as 50 Shades.

A hotel room, with its mixed ages of children to great granny is not the place for 50 Shades of Grey.

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redhairedgranny says...
11:34am Fri 20 Jul 12

WHY???? If I wanted to read 50 Shades of Grey on holiday, I would buy my own copy. The thought of reading a book like that after other people have read it, yeuch!!!

The Bible has stood the test of time, thousands of years. 50 Shades will be forgotten about in months. Why did Mr Denby not put the Harry Potter series in his hotel rooms? Because it wasn't controversial enough that why!

If he must have this book in his rooms then why not have the Bible in there as well? Having one available in reception is just not good enough.

Speaking to others about this book, its badly written and at times violent. Ok so the Bible has sex and violence in it but not as graphic as 50 Shades.

A hotel room, with its mixed ages of children to great granny is not the place for 50 Shades of Grey.

Report this post »

redhairedgranny says...
11:34am Fri 20 Jul 12

WHY???? If I wanted to read 50 Shades of Grey on holiday, I would buy my own copy. The thought of reading a book like that after other people have read it, yeuch!!!

The Bible has stood the test of time, thousands of years. 50 Shades will be forgotten about in months. Why did Mr Denby not put the Harry Potter series in his hotel rooms? Because it wasn't controversial enough that why!

If he must have this book in his rooms then why not have the Bible in there as well? Having one available in reception is just not good enough.

Speaking to others about this book, its badly written and at times violent. Ok so the Bible has sex and violence in it but not as graphic as 50 Shades.

A hotel room, with its mixed ages of children to great granny is not the place for 50 Shades of Grey.

Report this post »

redhairedgranny says...
11:34am Fri 20 Jul 12

WHY???? If I wanted to read 50 Shades of Grey on holiday, I would buy my own copy. The thought of reading a book like that after other people have read it, yeuch!!!

The Bible has stood the test of time, thousands of years. 50 Shades will be forgotten about in months. Why did Mr Denby not put the Harry Potter series in his hotel rooms? Because it wasn't controversial enough that why!

If he must have this book in his rooms then why not have the Bible in there as well? Having one available in reception is just not good enough.

Speaking to others about this book, its badly written and at times violent. Ok so the Bible has sex and violence in it but not as graphic as 50 Shades.

A hotel room, with its mixed ages of children to great granny is not the place for 50 Shades of Grey.

Report this post »

redhairedgranny says...
11:36am Fri 20 Jul 12

That wasnt supposed to post 4 times. Sorry, stupid website!!

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Kendmoor says...
4:36pm Fri 20 Jul 12

well, we're all taking the bait very well, marketing is working perfectly here!

If all goes well, we can get this to the top as "most commented". Job done.

*facepalm*

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johnwalker1000 says...
5:12pm Fri 20 Jul 12

Appears that hotels in the US have been doing 50 shades of grey packages/ideas for some time now, can see them on the internet if you go looking. Wonder where this idea was copied from....hmmm

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FrontalLobe says...
7:38pm Fri 20 Jul 12

Kendmoor wrote:
well, we're all taking the bait very well, marketing is working perfectly here!

If all goes well, we can get this to the top as "most commented". Job done.

*facepalm*
Quite so, the power of marketing. Nonetheless amusing to ruffle the feathers of those who think that Christianity (or any other religion for that matter) should be the default position in public spaces whether the rest of us want it or not.

However, I do have some sympathy with the comments of Lakeslady 99 in reference to making **** acceptable. I have heard the author of this book interviewed and her standpoint seems to be that various practices that many are embarrassed to admit are nothing to be ashamed of. I have not read the book so cannot comment, although nothing I have heard makes me want to buy it.

Whilst we are all being carried along by this hotel's publicity drive perhaps we could have a competition for a another alternative to the bible for those that feel the need.

How about 'The Quotable Atheist' by Jack Huberman?
More seriously Susan Nieman's excellent 'Moral Clarity - a guide for grown up idealists'.

If the bible crowd want a change of view but still with a philosophical / moral stance there are plenty of alternatives. The better examples also have the advantage of having a provable source and are based on reasoned argument.

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wezzyk says...
8:11pm Fri 20 Jul 12

We whinge when trade is poor and tourism is low.. now we whinge when someone uses initiative to drum up some free advertising and hopefully bringing more people to the area. Well done to the guy a true businessman... Also the religious opposition should be happy to agree to disagree after all the bible is still available at the reception desk for those who would like one. All's equal then:)

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lakesailor says...
12:22am Sun 22 Jul 12

When we had a B&B some people would leave Bibles or religious tracts in the room .
How offensive. We chucked them in the bin.
Good bit of PR. They won't be in the rooms in a month or so. He'll have dreamt up another PR angle.

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Cyclelogical says...
12:39pm Wed 25 Jul 12

Meanwhile hotels in Grange over Sands have been stocking up on copies of '50 Ways To Make a Nice Cup of Tea'!

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Adam_Kendal says...
2:49pm Sun 29 Jul 12

Witty Tanker wrote:
I don't see what all the fuss is about - one work of fiction has been replaced by another work of fiction.
Agree!!

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Reverend Mark says...
12:24am Thu 2 Aug 12

Shame on the Damson Dene. Cheap PR - cheap business.

No comment from the worthy Gideons as yet.

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FrontalLobe says...
7:20pm Thu 2 Aug 12

Reverend Mark wrote:
Shame on the Damson Dene. Cheap PR - cheap business.

No comment from the worthy Gideons as yet.
How about 'The God Delusion'?
Would that be better?

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