SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM
A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
BOXING DAY'S GREAT LAKE RACE AT BILLERICAY LAKE MEADOWS
Christmas is here and already we've enjoyed seeing many friends, neighbours and family. Following on the celebrations, we are looking forward to THE GREAT LAKE RACE at our LAKE MEADOWS LAKE a wonderful place for all including those who like model sail boats - made from Christmas packaging, a bottle, plastic bag for sails and other bits and pieces imaginatively used. Only home-made boats permission.
THIS IS YOUR PARK - COME AND JOIN IN at 2.30pm on WEDNESDAY, BOXING DAY. See website for FRIENDS OF LAKE MEADOWS
Friday, December 21, 2012
THERE'S STILL TIME TO PICK UP BRIAN LYNCH'S NEW BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS
Journalist, author, columnist, poet Brian Lynch has just added a new title to his impressive collection of published books. Among his backlist is a fantasy, Sherlock and Holmes, all about a funny talking dog detective, a biography of John Bairstow, The Road from Gloster Hill and many others.
I particularly enjoyed his own part-biography Naked Knees and Blakey'd Boots. As Brian says: "Writing fictional short stories and poetry based on my own life and experiences has, up until now been just a hobby, but now I want to publicise the plight of children starving in Africa."
After finishing a poignant poem about a fictional child (Nkoli), Brian - with his publisher Prestige Press - has gathered together a collection of some of his best stories and verse. This latest title is NKOLI and its purpose is to swell the donations towards one of the leading charities that help to feed children like Nkoli. Among the wide range of story material, I enjoyed A TIARA FOR CHRISTMAS - so appropriate for this time of year.
Brian Lynch |
Paperback edition ISBN 978-1-84375-614-9 published by Prestige Press £7.99
For details email: info@prestige-press.com
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
JOHN INTRODUCES US TO AMY PEPPERCORN
CD cover created by John Brindley |
John Brindley in Phoenix 98fm Studio at Brentwood in Essex |
Friday was great at Phoenix 98fm when lovely presenter, Michelle Ward welcomed us into the studio for my twelfth monthly programme. My theme concentrated on Christmas stocking filler books for children.
Wonderful to have the great John Brindley with us to tell everyone about Amy Peppercorn, his own creation whose story can be found in STARRY-EYED & SCREAMING. Amy is a 16-year-old character so the book will be appreciated by 'Young Adults', but I feel it can be enjoyed by all ages. There's something different with this book, too. We have a chance to listen to Amy singing on the accompanying CD and what a voice! Check out John Brindley's website www.amypeppercorn.com and info@amypeppercorn.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
SAD NEWS
Sir Patrick Moore displaying his new medal |
So sad to hear the news of the passing of two lovely men I've interviewed. Met Sir Patrick Moore a year ago and he was delightful during our interview and George Oliver whom I've met many times over the last twenty years and have included his marvellous recollections in some of my books and newspaper columns. Shall miss them.
Our lovely friend George Oliver |
Sunday, December 09, 2012
ESSEX FIRE MUSEUM AT GRAYS, ESSEX
Last Sunday, we enjoyed meeting Roger Pickett and his friend who popped into our Cater Museum. He met Chris Brewster, our very own curator. The gentlemen left their booklet which shows some great photographs from their museum. They offer a warm welcome to visitors, particularly school groups and their is no charge for admission.
The Essex Fire Museum is located at Grays Fire Station. It was opened on 14 June 2007 and is housed in the former Auxiliary Fire Servive garages. Wonderful exhibits and displays are there showing a wide range of firefighting history in Essex. This museum holds a good selelction of artefacts relating to the wartime activities of the Fire Service.
Roger Pickett provided personal and professional information to my sister, fellow author, Elizabeth Victoria Wallace when she was researching one of her earlier best-selling books CHRISTMAS PAST IN ESSEX (currently on sale at Waterstones) £9.99 (The History Press). roger.pickett@essex-fire.gov.uk Tel: 01375 379167
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Billericay Baptist church presented ANGEL SQUADRON
So much local talent on tap this evening at the Billericay Baptist Church when Peter and Corinne White put on ANGEL SQUADRON, a superb two-act Nativity play. This modern and unusual script, created by Peter White, was cleverly produced, involving angels - supernatural beings, intermediaries and messengers between God and humankind. We all loved the World War II setting.
These 'heroes of the skies' involving Cadet Astra, an angel flying ace with a certain flair and cadet Celeste, a fabulous singing star with a wonderful voice. Many other angelic characters were in the cast providing energy; fun; and all cleverly blended into a thoughtful production telling the age-old story built around the New Testament framework. We loved the music, settings, costumes and the superb choir - and those little angels were out of this world.
Peter White - Creator and Director of ANGEL SQUADRON |
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
SUPER LOUISE WITH NAUGHTY PIXIE
Today, Pixie our naughty little cat met, and fell in love with Louise who is one of Billericay's most skilful young mobile hairdressers. This girl really knows her business and cuts hair so beautifully. I ought to know as Vidal Sassoon was one of my first scissormen, but this, of course was way back in the sixties. Will try to find some of my old pics, just to make readers laugh!
Yes, we really did wear false eyelashes 50 years ago! |
Sunday, December 02, 2012
CHRISTMAS MARKET EVEN BETTER THIS YEAR
Friday, November 30, 2012
MEETING THE ALCS AT AGM
Sylvia and Maureen Duffy |
Danuta Kean (far r) and two colleagues at the AGM |
Last night's AGM at Clothworkers' Livery Hall, Dunster Court in the City was so interesting. I go when the AGM is held in London and this venue was fascinating. Clothworkers' Hall sounds boring but the Hall itself is very beautiful and ancient (That livery Company is 500 years' old)
Enjoyed learning a little about the mechanics of the ALCS. Many of us receive royalties collected by them, so it is interesting to meet some of the Board in person as well as seeing them at work at Writers' House. I like this building in London's Haydon Street where our SWWJ hold Council meetings.
Among many notable names who joined us were Maureen Duffy (leading expert on Aphra Behn), Danuta Kean and many more. Other folk who attended last night were obviously involved in publishing, but also radio, TV, theatre, as well as RNA and general newspapers/magazines. It was a lovely evening. I also snapped (badly) the Monument and Shard as I raced for the tube.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A PERFECT GIFT IDEA FOR CHRISTMAS - LET'S MAKE MUSIC!
To make wonderful music on whatever instrument you choose, is such a great feeling. Age is no obstacle and from numerous instruments, the ABSOLUTE MUSIC ACADEMY professionals can teach you in their acoustically engineered studios in Canvey Island, Essex.
AMA in Canvey Island, Essex |
Tel: 01268 696860
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
VETRO BAR OPENS IN BILLERICAY
Louise Anthony with her security staff |
Louise, security and Abby and Jodi Knight |
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
YESTERDAY'S DEBUT ON PHOENIX 98FM FOR JAN
Jan takes a break in recording at Phoenix 98FM |
Jan founded and worked with the famous Essex Storytellers in 1993 and her passion and determination have uncovered much of our county's treasure trove of tales, some quite scary, but all fascinating. Did you know that we harboured six dragons? Well, read Jan's new book entitled ESSEX FOLK TALES. The History Press is her publisher and her book is priced at £9.99, to be found in all good bookshops and on Amazon ISBN 9780752 466002 - a great stocking filler!
Monday, November 19, 2012
JAN WILLIAMS IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT ESSEX FOLK TALES
Jan Williams one of Essex's best story tellers and now author |
Jan is a professional story teller and author and this book ESSEX FOLK TALES is full of wonderful stories linked to the history and landscape of our super county. Also in town from Denver, Colorado, is Elizabeth Wallace who also writes about aspects of Essex history CHRISTMAS PAST IN ESSEX. The History Press also publishes some of Elizabeth's books which are selling well in Waterstones and WH Smith bookshops.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
ST MARY MAGDALEN - NEWLY UPDATED BOOK
This is the famous 1830 image that gives a flavour of our lovely old High Street |
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 08, 2012
JUST BACK FROM LONDON'S NEW CAVENDISH CLUB - WONDERFUL VAD CELEBRATION
Excellent gathering at the New Cavendish Club on Thursday 8 November. Pic here of Barbara Hallows and Judith Gowland, Archivist to the VAD Club based at the New Cavendish Club in Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch. Guests appreciated a wonderful evening and a chance to see a new play NO WAY BACK written for the Nursing Memorial Appeal by John Drewry. John runs the Virtual Theatre Company which is superb and we are looking forward to seeing them again. Brompton Wines www.bromptonwine.com supplied great wines.
I was particularly delighted to meet Gwynneth Bridge, a beautiful former VAD nurse who trained from the age of 18 and who retains some vivid and remarkable memories of this honorable team of nurses which was founded almost a century ago. Here she is with yours truly.
Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses remained a single sex organisation from 1909 until the end of WWII |
Starring actor on Thursday |
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
SHIRLEY BOND'S NEW BOOK "HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?"
What a muddle there is in the weights and measures used today, particularly in the home and more especially in the kitchen and workroom!
Any book published in Britain before the mid to late '60s will have ingredients, oven temperatures and sizes of cooking equipment listed only in Imperial measures. In the past, our oven temperatures were usually given in degrees Farenheit or Gas mark and some recipes might only suggest 'cook in a moderate oven.' The introduction of metric measures in the '70s confused older people and still many cannot convert quickly from Imperial to metric.
Today, we have to cope with weights and measures in every sphere of modern business and home life and it can be difficult to understand abbreviations and symbols we see on our packaging. Mistakes can easily be made.
Help is at hand. The author of numerous books, SHIRLEY BOND has made life simpler for us. She has just launched her brand new book that answers many questions I've asked, from the simple conversion of grams and kilograms to ounces and pounds, exactly what are 'E' numbers, quantity guide for snacks at party buffets, exact equivalent area measures, so that we learn about square metres, hectares, and bushels - and EXACTLY how big is your allotment (in rods - still used, by the way) 1 rod equals 16 feet! There is much, much more in her slim book with its ISBN 978-0-9558911-2-0 Do visit Shirley's website and learn more.
For more
information, visit Shirley's web site www.woodlandspublishing.co.uk There's an
order form which can be printed and send with a cheque if preferable. Anyone
wishing to buy a copy on line should go to www.ypd-books.com and put ‘How Do You Measure Up’ in the
search column and go from there. Book price is £7.99 + £2.75
postage - a wonderful stocking filler for all.
Friday, November 02, 2012
AMBERLEY'S NEW BOOK COLCHESTER 24
Twenty five years ago, an exhibition was staged in Colchester. Local photographers - some 20 of them combined their talents to capture life in Colchester during a 24-hour period. The exhibition attracted huge attention at the time, but inevitably closed and the photographs put into storage.
Member of Parliament for Colchester Sir Bob Russell writes introduction to COLCHESTER 24 http://www.colchester24.org/ |
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
OFF TO VISIT TAMWORTH CASTLE IN STAFFORDSHIRE
Enjoyed weekend in Birmingham. The camera became red hot taking photos of the pretty countryside around the Midlands. Had always fancied visiting Tamworth Castle and managed this on Saturday. It's all ready for Halloween. Cobwebs and spooks everywhere - lots of fun coming up. Short Youtube will follow later. This is aimed at my Vancouver based on line magazine www.suite101.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
MY FAVOURITE WRITERS
Yours truly and Baroness James of Holland Park |
Hilary Mantel when she visited Billericay |