Gary Smailes

Walks in local history

Last week I had a meeting with a local publisher to discuss the idea of writing a walking book based on areas of historical interest. My idea is that by guiding people through the physical environment I can inspire them to find out more and hopefully preserve their own local history.

Anyway, Tony Bowerman (the local publisher) has already written a book called 'Walks in Mysterious Cheshire and Wirral.' Its a good book and I was surprised to find a section in the introduction that fitted my own views:

“Yet all the clues are there in our modern, increasingly ephemeral landscape. Clues that will tell us how things used to be. They are only waiting to be uncovered. And by walking in that landscape with our eyes and minds open to the past, we can take a closer look.”

...My thought exactly.

 

Free Book - Disraeli Avenue

We all love a free book.

Here is a note from my wife about her hew book, which is free to download:

I'm taking a moment to tell you about my new project, a novella - Disraeli Avenue.

Disraeli Avenue has been developed from my debut novel In Search of Adam. This novella provides the reader with an unusual insight into both the incidental and essential characters from the novel, giving a deeper understanding of the part that each plays in the book. Readers new to Disraeli Avenue may find the snapshots of individual lives lived on an average street moving, and compelling. Readers familiar with In Search of Adam may find pleasure in learning more about those involved in Jude Williams' life and will find a redemption of sorts in the final entry from Bill Williams where he reflects on the death of his
wife and daughter.

This download is provided entirely free, but we would ask that you consider making a donation to One in Four.

One in Four offers a voice to and support for people who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence. Research has consistently shown that one in four children will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Society has thus far been unwilling to face up to the deep rooted nature of this problem or the sheer scale of the long term damage it leaves in its wake. Their determined aim is to change this. One in Four UK is a Registered Charity (Charity Number 1081726).

All details can be found at the Friday Project or my site.

I may add that all of the contributions to the development of the novel (the writing, editing, typesetting, design, cover design, proofing) have all been contributed free of charge. All contributors are acknowledged
within the work.

I’m trying to make a difference, to give something back.

If you can help in any way, by forwarding this email to others or by helping in any way. Then please, please do.

Take care and many thanks,

Caroline x

104 bestseller

It turns out that my book about William Wallace is the 104th bestselling children's non-fiction title, for 12-16 year olds, on amazon.uk.

Yeah!

Winston Churchill was not real!

THE TIMES - Britons are losing their grip on reality, according to a poll out today which showed that nearly a quarter think Winston Churchill was a myth while the majority reckon Sherlock Holmes was real.

The survey found that 47% thought the 12th century English king Richard the Lionheart was a myth.

And 23% thought World War II prime minister Churchill was made up. The same percentage thought Crimean War nurse Florence Nightingale did not actually exist.

Three percent thought Charles Dickens, one of Britain’s most famous writers, is a work of fiction himself.

Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi and Battle of Waterloo victor the Duke of Wellington also appeared in the top 10 of people thought to be myths.

Meanwhile, 58% thought Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective Holmes actually existed.

UKTV Gold television surveyed 3,000 people.

The Punch Die comments here.