Downloading photos from Billericay Cater Museum's World War One commemoration day on Saturday held at the Reading Rooms. Uniforms were authentic and were worn by the splendid re-enactment group organised by the Western Front Association. Met so many super people looking after the displays and memorabilia. Really enjoyed this and also the lecture during the evening organised by Karen and Steve Dennis - superb! This is the first of five lectures to be held each year till 2018.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
MICHELLE WARD PRESENTER AT RADIO PHOENIX 98FM WELCOMES AMBERLEY AUTHORS
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Jessica Michelle and Sylvia |
Always a warm welcome in the studio at Brentwood. Karen's books are a dream for folk interested in Essex (and national) history, full of fascinating characters, from kings and queens to nuns and novices and I learnt such a lot from reviewing (check back in the top left hand box of this weblog to July 2010 when I reviewed her Essex Girls). Karen's meticulous research is appreciated and I'm glad that she will be bringing out a new book Codpieces and Corsets next spring - must buy that one. Sounds fun! Jessica from the Mayflower School in Billericay is currently helping Michelle in the studio - a bright 15-year-old student.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
SWWJ CELEBRATES A RATHER SPECIAL BIRTHDAY IN LONDON
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SWWJ President Victoria Wood with members Pamela Payne and Patrick Forsyth |
Pamela Birley and Lady Shirley Williams |
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Val Dunmore, Ann Widdecombe & Master of the Stationers' Livery Company Ian Locks |
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Valerie Dunmore, Barbara Field-Holmes, Sylvia Kent |
Saturday, October 11, 2014
MY NEW BOOK ARRIVED IN BOOK STORES TODAY - SURPRISING IMAGES WITHIN!
Well, here it is - my tenth book published by Amberley - first of the batch arrived this morning and am working my way through it, checking details. It took about 18 months to research and write. One or two of my previously published books took far longer to produce. I'm not new to this work, but this time I travelled much more than I usually do, living some way from the Borough. So grateful to such kind folk for spending time reflecting on years gone by and supplying some very interesting photographs for this book. I love the front cover which shows Barking Curfew round about the turn of the last century. This leads to St Margaret's Church, Barking and has special resonance for me and my family. See page 26 - tempus fugit!
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
ISLE OF WIGHT TRIP LAST WEEK - FABULOUS WEATHER SUPERB AT NORTON GRANGE
So lucky with weather last week - wonderful trip to the Island - discovered the home of our Society's (SWWJ) first President - Pearl Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes) circa 1894, helped somewhat by two well informed chaps in the Ryde District Heritage Centre in Royal Victoria Arcade Museum. Pearl is pictured below. You know, people are so kind in helping writers seeking research information.
An extra bonus from visiting the Ryde Historic Society Centre was learning about the world's most famous cartoonist Donald McGill (I feel a feature coming on!) with a dedicated space to him and his rather saucy postcards. Really enjoyed visiting there and will come back one day when we are on the this island. Even interviewed the postie taking the mail on WightLink ferry to the island - whatta nice lively boy - full of historical anecdotes. Norton Grange was good, too, highly professional entertainment team - far superior to some of the London scene groups. Food magnificent! 100 star jumps each day to work off the extra weight. Maybe should have stayed a week as the Isle of Wight Literary Festival starts soon.
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An extra bonus from visiting the Ryde Historic Society Centre was learning about the world's most famous cartoonist Donald McGill (I feel a feature coming on!) with a dedicated space to him and his rather saucy postcards. Really enjoyed visiting there and will come back one day when we are on the this island. Even interviewed the postie taking the mail on WightLink ferry to the island - whatta nice lively boy - full of historical anecdotes. Norton Grange was good, too, highly professional entertainment team - far superior to some of the London scene groups. Food magnificent! 100 star jumps each day to work off the extra weight. Maybe should have stayed a week as the Isle of Wight Literary Festival starts soon.
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