TV presenter Clare Balding ‘delighted' to announce debut novel Pastures New
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Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Sir Michael Morpurgo opens Farms for City Children fete
Friends of Treginnis fete was officially opened by War Horse author and children's laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo. The fete which raises funds for Lower Treginnis Farm for City Children, which helps inner city children experience a week of muck and magic at the farm, one of three run by the Farms for City Children charity. (Image: Western Telegraph) It was third time lucky for the fete; The 2023 fete, the first since the Covid pandemic, was called off due to horrendous weather, last year's fete went ahead but Sir Michael was unable to attend due to health conditions. This Saturday the sun shone and Sir Michael, accompanied by wife Lady Clare, officially opened the fete. (Image: Western Telegraph) 'It is a pleasure to be here and a privilege to be here,' said Sir Michael before handing over to Lady Clare to open the festivities. After this the acclaimed author read from his new collection of short stories Katerina the Cat. (Image: Western Telegraph) For the two and a half years my head and my heart has been on this farm writing stories,' he said. 'One about a child who comes to the farm, which involves St David's lifeboat and one about a Pembrokeshire Corgi.' Sir Michael read his story set at Treginnis to an enraptured multi-generational audience in the farm's quiet room before a short question and answer session. (Image: Western Telegraph) Then it was out into the sunshine for live music from the Pembrokeshire Ukulele Band, Vox Angelica and Mike Chant, a barbecue by St Davids Penknife Club, tea and cake, beer from St David's Old Farmhouse Brewery, games and bouncy castles for the kids, strawberries and cream and all manner of stalls. (Image: Western Telegraph) "We all had our fingers crossed Sir Michael would be able to make it this year, he loves Treginnis," said friends secretary Mary Edey. "The highlight was Sir Michael talking and reading his books to the children, he is wonderful in keeping their attention. Also it didn't rain." (Image: Western Telegraph) All the money raised by the fete will help the Friends of Treginnis support the farm and the children who visit it. (Image: Western Telegraph)
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
Ian Puleston Davies and Suzan Holder at Flintshire event
The pair, who are great friends, will reveal how actor, director and writer Ian gave Suzan some valuable advice when she was writing the first of her three books published by HarperCollins. Suzan, who is married to musician Noddy Holder, writes romantic comedies with a musical twist, her latest book 'What Would Dolly Do?' is inspired by the queen of country music, Dolly Parton. Suzan and Ian will be In Conversation at The Berwyn Bookshop on Thursday, July 31 from 7.30pm. Suzan said: 'When Ian and I get together we don't stop chatting and always have a real laugh, it'll be fun to share that experience with book lovers. "I've got some stories about the real-life adventures that have inspired my books that even Ian doesn't know so I'm looking forward to surprising him and the audience!' Ian said: 'I love Suzan's books, they are very rock n'roll - just like her, it's going to be a fabulous evening!' Cheshire based Suzan's first book 'Shake It Up, Beverley' about a Beatles mad mum and her internet dating disasters got a thumbs up from Sir Paul McCartney himself who said it was 'Fab!' Suzan got the idea for her second book 'Rock n' Rose' after an adventurous trip she made to Elvis Presley's Graceland home where she was dramatically rescued by a Mississippi motorcycle cop. 'What Would Dolly Do?' tells the story of Becky, a Dolly Parton tribute singer with such terrible stage-fright she can only perform when dressed up as country music's biggest, blondest star. Read more After splitting with her boyfriend (and Kenny Rogers singing partner) Becky decides to take inspiration from Dolly to go it alone and try to shine like a diamond in a rhinestone world. Suzan said: 'The book is perfect for Dolly fans of course, but it also speaks to anyone who wants to escape the 9 to 5 or strike out in a new direction and face their fears.' Tickets are available from the shop in Buckley or online priced £5 a ticket £10 to include a copy of the book.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly's Greg Wise addresses family heartbreak as he admits 'it nearly killed me'
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Greg Wise appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the lack of paid respite care, as he opened up on his family heartbreak Former Strictly Come Dancing star Greg Wise confessed "It nearly killed me" as he shared his family heartbreak. The 59 year old actor, who competed in the 2021 series of Strictly alongside professional partner Karen Hauer, appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (July 22) to discuss the shortage of paid respite care. Greg spoke to presenters Kate Garraway and Ed Balls about looking after his sister, Clare, who died in 2016 at the age of 51. Clare was originally diagnosed with breast cancer, which subsequently returned as bone cancer. "I was a 24/7 carer for my sister, Clare, who was dying from bone cancer. I did it for three months, it nearly killed me," Greg frankly told GMB, reports Edinburgh Live. "It's extraordinary, isn't it? We know the truth is you're either going to be cared for or be a carer, everyone is at some point in their life, and actually, it's only when you're in it that the reality hits you," Kate then said, reflecting on her own experiences of caring for her late husband, Derek Draper. Greg went on: "A lot of studies have been done on carers. Carers start to mirror the people they've been caring for, it's called compassion fatigue or carer's fatigue. "And of course, it's understandable, you become anxious, you become isolated, you are fearful, you can become depressed, you can start self-medicating." The actor then revealed that he "got into a bit of a problem" with drinking, but managed to "get off it". Greg emphasised the crucial role of carers in society, stating that if every British caregiver decided they couldn't continue, it would cost taxpayers tens of billions of pounds. "You find yourself in a place where you're so completely alone and unsupported. I was fantastically fortunate that I was able to drop my life for a finite period of time and go and help my sister die," he expressed. "One in ten of us in this country is a carer, we have over six million carers here unpaid." Greg concluded: "The unpaid carers are saving the public purse the entire NHS budget, and what we're asking for is for the most vulnerable of this six million to be helped." His comments come as hundreds of carers are marching to Westminster to protest the lack of paid respite care available to them.
