MOLLY PERRY AWARD EVENING

What a lovely evening last week at the Billericay School.  Our Member of Parliament, John Baron was present and the BPW (Business & Professional women) laid on an excellent programme. The winners gave a short resume of their hopes and plans for their planned careers and each one was so impressive.

The Molly Perry Memorial Award is unique to the Billericay branch of the Business and Professional Women [BPW] UK organisation. It was founded following the death of a much loved and respected member of the club in 1984. On Molly’s death her close relatives gave money to BPW Billericay to.set up a Trust Fund for some good cause of the members own choosing. Knowing Molly’s involvement with the Public Speaking Competition, the members decided to organise an award for local girls to encourage them to enter a field of education for many years barred to them. The criterion for the award is that candidates are accepted by a university to study medicine or allied subjects, an applied science, or engineering. Molly herself had engineering qualifications and her sister Nancy had been an extremely talented consultant gynaecologist at the hospital in the town.

John Baron MP, Sylvia Hathaway and Patrick Berry
 

The winners are off to university soon and will undoubtedly do well in their chosen professions. Molly would be so proud!

SUPER PUBLICITY FROM ALAN JOHNSON

Although I've referred several super creative and literary friends to Alan Johnson, presenter of Saturday's Feel Good Show (10.00am - noon), Phoenix 98FM, I'd never worked with him.   However, we put this right last Saturday. morning.   I enjoyed being interviewed by Alan in connection with my ninth  book - a digital - released on the Internet last week for Kindle. Kobo and app variations.  Some very kind PR has appeared via local newspapers and mags.



Alan Johnson at Phoenix 98FM on Saturday morning

Press release giving background to two latest e books released recently
Clivk to enlarge image
 

Under Churches of Britain - St Mary Magdalen published by JMD Media Limited, this slim book with 30 illustrations costs £1.80: all royalties will help the funds for this beautifully restored church which is known as 'the church in the High Street." Tomorrow morning, I appear on BBC Essex to give a little resume of my new book which also includes some history of Billericay and its fascinating folk.  Libraries now have my press release and here it is for all to see.  Have five talks lined up and more radio, too.  

ROCKY THE HISTORY HOUND - AN AMAZING GREYHOUND

 

Hot off the press, a new book for children about a wonderful greyhound, Rocky. The Cater Museum's Curator Christine  Brewster's much loved pet died recently and we all miss him terribly.  However, we still have Chris's lovely books to remind us what a marvellous companion he was.  Christine's slim books sold  for £2.50 each are helping to raise funds for Clark's Farm Greyhound Rescue, the place that does so much for these gentle, docile dogs. pe

 

pleClarks Farm Greyhound Rescue were broadcast on a SKY TV documentary called 'The Dogs'. A copy of this broadcast is now on Youtube, which if you click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=632F78JxL-U

will take you straight to it. If you are considering offering a greyhound a home this will be of great interest in finding out what its like when you first bring a greyhound into your family and also lots more information about Clarks Farm. Why not consider one as your next family dog?has e, loving and adapt to homentrary to common belief they are actually very lazy and only need two 20 minute walks each day. When re-homed responsibly they can live with other breeds of dogs and other pets such as cats.

Why not consider one as your next family dog?e less than two years old; the majority are aged around three and four. Many people do not realise that greyhounds make excellent family pets. They are gentle, loving and adapt to home life easily. Contrary to common belief they are actually very lazy and only need two 20 minute walks each day. When re-homed responsibly they can live with other breeds of dogs and other pets such as cats.
 

 

A SAD DAY REMEMBERING NINA BAWDEN OUR LOVELY SWWJ PRESIDENT

Nina cutting her 80th birthday cake in 2005 with Norman Gunby, Ilford historian presenting the toast

Today, we remember the  lovely Nina Bawden, who died last month.  Nina became President of our Society of Women Writers and Journalists in  1980, following in the footsteps of Joyce Grenfell, our earlier President from 1957.  Nina always supported our organisation alongside her work producing more than 55 books, many of which were made into films, including 'Carrie's War'.  Nina was always so helpful to aspiring young writers. Ten years ago she was involved in the Potters Bar train crash when her beloved husband, Austen was killed. Nina wrote a book which was made into a play about the rail crash and the impact it had on her life. 

Today's ceremony in north London  commemorates her productive life and times. Many  SWWJ members will be thinking of her and her contribution to literary life. More information about Nina and the origins of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists can be found in my book  THE WOMAN WRITER published in 2010 in my new role as archivist to the Society.


Self, Christina Adone and Nina Bawden CBE

LONDON'S NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB

It was good to meet so many friends at the National Liberal Club in London's Whitehall  recently at the Society of Women Writers & Journalists' AGM and Summer Festival.  Lots of silver  trophies were awarded to worthy winners and it was great to see Linda Payne's winning monologue ably acted by super actor Annie Dodd -  "The Letter" really came to life and Linda can see bits of it on my little Youtube snips.  The rest will have to wait till she comes over here to view the whole  programme.

Jennifer Worth's family Juliet, Philip, Susannah and Jenny's granddaughter Ellie

 

Our guest speakers were husband Philip and children Susannah and Juliet of the late Jennifer Worth, our lovely member who wrote Call The Midwife and we enjoyed readings from Jennifer's famous books, made into television dramas (further editions to be screened later this year).  The day was memorable.  Will post more photos at a later date.

 

THIS COMING SUNDAY IS THE DAY FOR ANOTHER VINTAGE VOGUE

From 10.00am-4.00pm enjoy the great vintage show at the Sports Hall, Brentwood School on Sunday 9 September.  Last spring I enjoyed my first Vintage Vogue Fair, meeting fashionistas of the 40s and 50s who posed for me in their super vintage clobber.

This coming show promises an amazing array of formal and street wear vintage and the 'Hair Raid Shelter' stylists are not to be missed. But there is a full day planned with so many fascinating things to see.



Clever haidressers creating war-time hairdos
 

Nippies will serve you tea, in their best corner house style and there will be 20th century jazz, R & B and soul and lounge music from guest DJs.  Michelle and Stephen's Atomic Events never disappoint and this show is going to be one of their best.   www.essexvintagefashionfair.com  atomic.events@btinternet.com