DAVID STARLING'S GREAT NEW BOOK

Many authors are bringing out their Christmas books. David Starling is a favourite Essex author. His latest book is NICE-LOOKING (Essex) GIRLS AFLOAT. This book is unusual in that it tells a story about Essex boats that just happen to have girls’ names. He shows the important part played by women in the life of our county’s waterfront (350 miles). David highlights more than 100 boats of one kind or another – not just the bawleys, barges and smacks, but Trinity House vessels, lifeboats, dinghies (which became film stars) the King’s Britannia and other fabulous yachts.
David’s title NICE LOOKING GIRLS AFLOAT derives from the words of the old Wivenhoe shipwright in the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould’s novel of 1880, Mehalah...
“... a regular Essex marshland name. I hope I shall remember it. But I have to carry so many names of nice-looking girls in my head and of ships I have built, that they run one another down, and I cannot be sure to recall them.”

David Starling has sailed the East Coast for 60 years and the stories within his book of 40 pages and 60 illustrations tell us about him as well as the county he loves. Proceeds from his book will be donated to the Essex Women’s Advisory Group (EWAG) which supports the well-being of Essex women and girls; also in giving help where needed to young women (14-30). It supports teaching and training in commerce, the arts and sport and promotes Essex as a place to live, visit or work. The top women of Essex, drawn from the Prince’s Trust, Essex Police, Probation, Girl Guides and the Women’s Institute, are all delighted to support EWAG in this important mission.