We were very pleased that Shirley Harrison, Susan Homewood and Talvinder Bhullar joined us on Saturday 25th April to sign copies of "Sylvia Pankhurst, Citizen of the World". Shirley has written a fascinating account of Sylvia's life, Susan has edited the version for adults and teenagers and Talvinder, who is Head of History at Woodbridge School, has been involved in editing a classroom companion for schools to use.
Sylvia was a resident of Woodford for more than 30 years and made a significant contribution to women's rights as well as working with the poor in London's East End. The book contains previously unpublished material and has several illustrations concerned with suffragettes and also Sylvia's own art, making it a very interesting read.
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A regular attendee and always a big hit with the children is Jack Trelawny who lives locally but is of Cornish descent and has a series of books called Kernowland. Kernowland is a parallel land to Cornwall within Erthwurld and Tizzie and Louie end up there when they go to play in a cave in Newquay. The plots are exciting and the books are very popular. 6 books are planned and Jack has been to the shop each time a new book has been launched. We will be having Jack back with us on 12th December 2009.
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Jean Fullerton visited us on Valentines Day 2009. Her book "No Cure For Love", is a historical novel set in the East End and has won the Harry Bowling prize. The main character in the book, Ellen O'Casey, is a respectable but poor Irish widow who works several jobs to support her mother and daughter. One of her jobs singing at the local pub has brought her to the attention of both the local gangster and the local doctor who has set himself the task of improving the health of the poor in the East End. There follows plenty of action to keep the reader interested as these well formed characters take you on a tour of the East End.
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We were delighted to welcome Joe Layburn to the shop on 4th October 2008 as part of the Woodford Festival. Joe is a local teacher who has written a lovely story set in the East End of London. The story is for 7 to 11 year olds and features a Somalian Girl called Aisha, who travels back in time to the Blitz where she meets a boy called Richard who is seeking shelter in the school. Joe was a journalist for 15 years before he became a teacher and his family is from the East End. His experience and background have allowed him to create a great read.
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Percy Salmon joined us in 2007 to sign copies of "Jim Sparrow of Woodford Green - Essex Tales of Feather and Fur". Percy Lives locally and was staying in a house in Woodford Green when he noticed the large number of sparrows in the garden. This inspired him to write this charming children's tale.
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Peter Relph visited our shop in 2007 to sign copies of 'Four forest years' , all about the life and works of John Clare whilst in residence in Dr Allens lunatic asylum in High Beach.
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John Walker-Smith also joined us in 2007 to sign his new book 'Poems of Love and Death' The book, written in memory of his second daughter, covers subjects such as War, Christianity, Medicine, Love and Death. Signed copies are still available.