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Who's Who in and Around Leicester

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Who's Who Sections:

Section 7: [Writing Community]� Section 8: [Arts Community]� �

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Section Seven

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Writing Community ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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(Authors, Novelists Journalists, Playwrights, Biographers & Poets)

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Click on the name for additional information

~ Jane Adams ~

Author Jane Adams was born in Leicester, where she still lives. She has a degree in sociology, and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing, martial arts (Aikido and Tae Kwon Do) and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk road by motorbike. She is married with two children. Her first book, The Greenway was short listed for the CWA�John Creasey Award in 1995 and for the Author�s Club Best First Novel Award.

~ James Allan ~

James Allen is a literary mystery man. His inspirational writings have influenced millions for good. Yet today he remains almost unknown. None of his nineteen books give a clue to his life other than to mention his place of residence - Ilfracombe, England. His name cannot be found in a major reference work. Not even the Library of Congress or the British Museum has much to say about him. Who was this man who believed in the power of thought to bring fame, fortune and happiness? Or did he, as Henry David Thoreau says, "hear a different drummer?" James Allen never gained fame or fortune. That much is true. His was a quiet, un-rewarded genius. He seldom made enough money from his writings to cover expenses. Allen was born in Leicester, Central England, November 28, 1864. The family business failed within a few years, and in 1879 his father left for America in an effort to recoup his losses. The elder Allen had hoped to settle in the United States, but was robbed and murdered before he could send for his family. The financial crisis that resulted forced James to leave school at fifteen. He eventually became a private secretary, a position that would be called "administrative assistant" today. He worked in this capacity for several British manufacturers until 1902, when he decided to devote all his time to writing. Unfortunately, Allen's literary career was short, lasting only nine years, until his death in 1912. During that period he wrote nineteen books, a rich outpouring of ideas that have lived on to inspire later generations.�

~ Kingsley Amis ~

Sir Kingsley Amis (1922-1995) Novelist, poet, critic, and teacher, father of writer Martin Amis, generally grouped among the "angry young men" in the 1950s, though he denied the affiliation. Amis' ascent from the obscurity of lower-middle-class London was largely self-willed. He become a man of outrageous wit and genius, and gained reputation as a "supreme clubman, boozer and blimp." A radical in his young adulthood, Amis was later know for his conservative critique of contemporary life and manners. In the 1950s Amis used to visit his friend Philip Larkin who was the librarian at University College, Leicester . Larkin lived in Dixon Road and that is where Amis coined the name "Lucky Jim Dixon" - a book based at Leicester University. This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews.

~ Julian Barnes

Best-selling author, Gallic Literary and Somerset Maugham prize winner, the first Englishman to win the French Prix Medici yet still a "City" fan.� The author of The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters and England, England was born in Leicester in 1946, the elder son of two French teachers from nearby mining town Coalville.� He was educated at the City of London School from 1957 to 1964 and at Magdalen College, Oxford, from which he graduated in modern languages (with honors) in 1968. After graduation, he worked as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary supplement for three years. In 1977, Barnes began working as a reviewer and literary editor for the New Statesmen and the New Review. From 1979 to 1986 he worked as a television critic, first for the New Statesmen and then for the Observer (London). In addition to the link above, visit this website --> [link] for an interview with Julian Barnes.

~ David Bell ~

Born in Melton Mowbray in 1939, David now lives in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. He was a teacher between 1960 and 1989 but is now writing full time including children's books, horror stories, non-fiction, short stories and plays. David has also been an adult tutor of creative writing since 1981 and an adjudicator and editor of "Peeping Tom," a small press magazine of dark fiction (quarterly), now in its 9th year. He has over 100 short stories published or broadcast in the UK and USA. Publications include: �The Incredible Adventures of Winston S Jackson� (Overseal Press, 1983); �Leicestershire Ghosts & Legends� (Countryside Books, 1992); �Leicestershire Murder Casebook� (Countryside Books, 1995). Performance Work includes: readings of ghost and horror stories performed in "Fright Night" evenings, in collaboration with Graham Joyce, Mark Chadbourn, Derek Fox and Stuart Hughes in Derby, Chesterfield, Mansfield, Swadlincote and Burton-upon-Trent. In addition, he has worked with children in primary and secondary schools including sixth form. He was �Writer in Residence� at Burton Latimer School, Northamptonshire 1994... Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Pearl Brotherton ~

Born in a three-up and three-down terraced house in Aylestone Park, Leicester, Pearl Brotherton�s life got off to an inauspicious start when her father, in a drunken stupor, registered her under the wrong name. It was the beginning of years of neglect and abuse at the hands of cold self-absorbed parents and various children�s homes which made a mockery of the term �in care.� Separated from her beloved older brother and confined to institutions from the age of four, Pearl gives a harrowing account in her book, �From Pillar to Post,� of the authority figures who used their positions of power to afflict the most appalling mental and physical cruelty on their vulnerable young charges. Many of these figures have never had to answer for their actions. Yet in spite of a childhood starved of affection, which led to a spell in a mental hospital and a doomed marriage, Pearl emerges as a warm, hopeful survivor. Her�s is an uplifting tale which proves that, incredibly, compassion can somehow spring from an emotional vacuum. The foregoing was taken from the back cover of Pearl�s autobiography �From Pillar to Post.� To purchase the book from amazon.co.uk, click on this link [Link]�

~ Stephen Bowkett ~

Stephen lives in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. He was a school teacher for 20 years and is now a full time writer, writing tutor and hypnotherapist. His work covers several genres of fiction. His no-fiction work includes self-development and creativity skills. Publications include: �Spellbinder� (Gollancz, 1985/Tellerup 1986/Pan 1988); �The Copy Cat Plan� (Blackwell, 1986); �Catch and Other Stories� (Gollancz, 1988/Pan, 1990); �Frontiersville High� (Gollancz, 1990); �The Community� (Pan, 1993);� �Dinosaur Day� (Heinemann, 1996); �For the Moon there is the Cloud - tales in the Zen tradition� (Collins, Pathways Reading Scheme, 1996); �The World's Smallest Werewolf� (Macdonald, 1996); �Meditations for Busy People - How to Stop Worrying and Stay Calm� (Harper Collins, 1996); �A Handbook of Creative Learning Activities for the Classroom' (Network Educational Press, 1997).� His performance work includes: frequent storytelling sessions/readings in schools and libraries including Swansea Literature Festival; adult storytelling at the Leicester Haymarket Studio Theatre and the Derby Playhouse Cafe� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ David Joss Buckley ~

He was born in Leicester in 1948 and was educated at Loughborough College School, before moving on to study at Loughborough College of Art. In 1973 he became Publicity Manager for the Haymarket Theatre. His career as an actor blossomed and in 1978 he joined the Young Vic Theatre in London followed by the Royal National Theatre. By the end of 1987 he had joined the writing team on Yorkshire Television's Emmerdale Farm and in 1995-96 he wrote the first of six 1-hour episodes for BBC TV's Saturday night flagship drama Casualty which earned him a Writer's Guild of Great Britain nomination the following year. He also joined the team of writers on the BBC's famous EastEnders. He is married with three daughters and lives in London. He is a life-long supporter of Leicester City Football Club. He wrote "Here, There & Everywhere," the biography of Leicester club skipper Steve Walsh.

~ Catherine Byron ~

Educated in Belfast and at Somerville College, Oxford, she has an MA in English Language and Literature and MPhil in Medieval Studies. Catherine is a poet and now lives in Leicester. She is a contributor to poetry anthologies published by Virago, the Women's Press, Wolfhound, Kyle Cathie, Lion, and Midland Review USA. Catherine has had poems, essays and reviews in Poetry Review, Poetry Ireland, Malahat Review and Brick (Canada), etc. Her work includes: 1) Poetry: �The Getting of Vellum� (Blackwater Press and Salmon Publishing - British/Irish co-publication - 1999); �The Fat-Hen Field Hospital� (Loxwood Stoneleigh 1993); �Settlements & Samhain� (Loxwood Stoneleigh 1993). 2) Prose: �Out of Step: Pursuing Seamus Heaney to Purgatory� (Loxwood Stoneleigh 1992). 3) Radio: Arts Council/BBC �Write Out Loud� commission, 1997; BBC Radio Ulster, Radio 3 (Night Waves, Poetry Now); Radio 4 (including Women's Hour serial 1983); Radio Eireann (Play of the Week 1993). She was a major prizewinner in the National Poetry Competition � 1992, British Council Visiting Writer to Hong Kong & Shatin � 1993 and the ACE Writer's Award - 1997� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Jean Chapman ~

Jean lives in Peatling Magna, Leicestershire and is a critic, novelist, and writer of romantic fiction, short stories and historical fiction. She began her writing career as a freelance journalist moving on to fiction, short stories and novels. She is also a lecturer and tutor in creative writing. She has a B.A. (Hons) degree (O.U.) and has reviewed and appraised for National Magazine. Her publications include the following novels: �The Unreasoning Earth�� (Hutchinson/Hamlyn/Magna); �Tangled Dynasty� (Hamlyn/Severn House/Magna); �The Forbidden Path� (Century/Magna); �Savage Legacy� (Century/Magna); �The Bellmakers� (Piatkus/Reed/ Magna); �Fortune's Woman� (Piatkus/Magna); �A World Apart�� (Piatkus/Magna/ Reed/Editriee Quadratum); �The Red Pavilion� (Piatkus/Magna); �The Soldier's Girl� (Piatkus/Magna); �This Time Last Year" (Piatkus). In addition she has had short stories published in a wide range of markets and has had a children's novel short-listed for the Blackie/Scottish Book Trust Award. Her Performance Work includes Speaker/reader at meetings and functions� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Ray Coleman ~

Former editor of the pop music weekly Melody Maker and biographer of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein and Eric Clapton. Ray was born in Leicester and began his newspaper career at the age of 15 as a copy boy at the Leicester Daily Mail. He joined Melody Maker in 1960, and was credited with bringing a professional and objective interview style to a field that had been dominated by fan magazines. He gained trust of The Beatles at the beginning of their career when he was assigned to cover their U.S. tours in the early 1960s. He died September 10th, 1996 at his home near London.

~ Clive Collins ~

Clive was born in Leicester in 1948. He has worked as a teacher in Ireland, West Africa and Japan. His first Novel, The Foreign Husband, appeared in 1989, and a second, Sachiko's Wedding, was published in 1990. He presently lives in Tokyo with his wife and daughter. From the cover of Misunderstandings, published in 1993, his first collection of short stories: "...the air hangs heavy with the sorrowful restraint of misshapen and misled lives: fears and desires remain unspoken, passions unspent and dreams unfulfilled. The author moves through different worlds from postwar Britain to contemporary America and urban Japan, observing with poignant understatement and irony that the vast array of languages and codes we are taught can lead not to expression and communication but to enclosure, misinterpretation and lives spent in waiting, dreaming, wishing and despair."� Clive was kind enough to recently forward to me a signed copy of his latest book Misunderstandings.�

~ Jane Cunningham Croly ~

Born in Market Harborough, Leicestershire in December 1829, Jane Cunningham emigrated to the United States with her family in 1841. She grew up in New York and taught school for a time. From an early age she was interested in writing. In 1855 she went to New York City to seek a career. In short order she had placed a regular column, "Parlor and Side-walk Gossip," with the Sunday Times and Noah's Weekly Messenger. By 1857 she was sending the column to the Baltimore American, the Richmond Enquirer, the Louisville Journal, and the New Orleans Delta as well, creating what was probably the first syndicated woman's column, which she signed in the fashion of the day with a pen name, "Jennie June." In 1856 she married David G. Croly, also a journalist. In 1859 they moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he founded the short-lived Daily News, and in 1860 they returned to New York City, where they both joined the staff of the new World. From 1862 to 1872 she managed the World's woman's department. During much of that time she also contributed a woman's column, along with pieces of dramatic and literary criticism, to the Weekly Times. She was the chief staff writer for Mme Demorest's Mirror of Fashions from its founding in 1860 by Ellen L.C. Demorest, and she retained that post, through the magazine's growth into Demorest's Illustrated Monthly Magazine in 1864, until 1887. At various times she also was associated with or contributed to Godey's Lady's� Book (in 1887-89), Woman's Cycle (which she founded in 1889 and which merged with the Home-Maker the next year and was namedthe New Cycle in 1893-96), the Graphic Daily Times, the New York Times, the Messenger, and other periodicals, and she continued as New York correspondent for a number of newspapers in other cities. In 1866 she published Jennie June's American Cookery Book... Continued, just click on the name above.

~ Colin Dexter ~

Colin Dexter, the creator of "Inspector Morse,"�was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire. In 1950 he went to study at Christ's College, Cambridge. Before that he undertook his National Service with the Royal Corps of Signals. He received a classics degree in 1953, and an MA five years later. In 1954 he became assistant classics master at Wyggeston School, Leicester. An appointment at Loughborough Grammar followed, before he occupied the position of senior classics master at Corby Grammar, Northamptonshire, in 1959.�In 1966 he started his association with Oxford, when he retired from teaching to take up a job at the Oxford Local Examinations Board. This entry suggested by expat Steve Denney in Ichikawa, Japan.

~ John Thomas Edson ~

John Thomas Edson is known locally as J.T. but not only to the townsfolk of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, but to millions of loyal fans all over the world. He's the most successful living author of gun-slinging, action-packed western novels. Formerly a fish and chip shop proprietor, then a mailman, Edson's 136 books since 1962 have sold 27 million copies, mostly in North America as well as Britain and the rest of the world. J.T. is one of Britain's most successful authors; not bad for the son of a local miner. Edson took correspondence courses on short story writing, and eventually won a prize in a small London publisher's competition with his first novel, Trail Boss. The book was bought by the publisher, and within a few years Edson was selling as many as 250,000 per title. He is now published by Dell in New York.

~ Pippa Goodhart ~

Pippa is a children�s writer from Leicester. She ran a children's bookshop, taught young children and worked as a publisher's 'reader' for the children's editors at O.U.P. As a mother with small children, she began writing children's books in 1993. She taught courses on writing for children at Leicester Adult Education Centre and also taught a residential course run by East Midlands Arts. Pippa has been a judge for Heinemann Education's "Get Published" competition and visited schools through their "Authors in Schools" scheme. She now lives in South Knighton, Leicester. Her publications include: �Flow� (Mammoth; shortlisted for Smarties Prize); �Ginny's Egg� (Mammoth; shortlisted for Young Telegraph Book of the Year); �Pest Friends� (Mammoth); �The Lie Spider� (Mammoth); �Noah Makes a Boat� (Heinemann); �Row Your Boat� (Heinemann); �Milly� (Hodder); �Morning Time� (Franklin Watts); �Play Time� (Franklin Watts); �Shopping Time� (Franklin Watts); �Bed Time� (Franklin Watts); �Hamper's Great Escape� (Oxford U.P); �Snooty Prune� (Oxford U.P.); �Flying Lessons� (Hodder); �Alona's Story� (Mammoth); �Me And My Newt� (Oxford U.P.). Her performance work includes numerous school visits and talking about writing but also reading stories... Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Mark Goodwin ~

Mark lives in Bitteswell, Leicestershire and is a poet. he is also a keen mountaineer with an agricultural background. Mark's work deals with climbing, nature, wilderness, and landscape. Some of his work can be described as earthy, bizarre, humorous and erotic. Much of his work can be classed broadly as love poetry. Has written articles and reviews for Climber Magazine. Occasionally he writes writer-appraisals for East Midlands Arts and leads various workshops both for adults and young people. His publications include work published or accepted for publication by the following: Agenda, Ambit, Braquemard, Climber, Dragonheart Press, Envoi, The Frogmore Papers, BBC Radio Leicester, The New Writer, Northwords, BBC Radio Nottingham, Outposts, Oxford Poetry, Prop, The Rialto, Rustic Rub, Scratch, Seam, Slipstream, Smiths Knoll, Staple, Story Cellar, Tears in the Fence, This Is, Thumbscrew, The Waldean Press, The Yellow Crane. He was shortlisted for Staple First Editions (1996 and 1998), and Redbeck Press Poetry Collection Competition (1997). Mark was awarded the East Midlands Writer's Bursary 1996 (Member of EMA New Voices Tour 1997). He received an Eric Gregory Award 1998. Performance: Mark does readings, talks and workshops. He is a qualified climbing instructor, has youth-work experience and has worked with various age groups - both able bodied and disabled. He is also available for �Climb and Write Workshops� or �Outdoor Stroll and Write Workshops.�� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Robert Hamberger ~

Robert is a poet who started the Kettering/Corby Writers' Group 1981 and the Wellingborough Writers� Group in 1983. He ran the Corby Writers' Workshop (1985-1993) and has led writing groups in adult education centres, unemployed centres, centres for recovering mentally ill people and schools. Robert now lives in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire. He was �Poet of the Year,� Northamptonshire, 1985, awarded the East Midlands Arts Writers' bursary in 1985 and the Hawthornden Fellowship in 1995. He was a prizewinner in the 1991 National Poetry Competition and co-ordinator for the 1994 New Voices Tour. He has made poetry broadcasts on Radio 4 and been published in various magazines and anthologies, including: �The Observer,� �The Spectator,� �New Statesman,� �Ambit,� �The North� and a Faber anthology called �Hard Lines 2." His performance work includes: numerous poetry readings in London and the East Midlands (including the first �New Voices� Tour in 1989); Leicester Poetry Society 1997/98 Programme (Jan 1998); Live Poets' Society (Uppingham) 1997/98 Programme (April 1998)� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Lee Harwood ~

Poet. Born in Leicester in 1939 and although he has traveled widely, he keeps returning to the Landscape of the South Downs and the Sussex coast. His early books, first published in the '60s by Fulcrum Press, include The White Room (1968) and The Sinking Colony (1970). Later collections include Monster Masks (Pig Press 1985) and a selected poems, Crossing the Frozen River (Paladin 1989).

~ David Icke ~

New Age author and guru; national spokesman for the British Green Party. He was born in 1952 and was brought up on a big council estate in Leicester. He achieved a lifelong goal when he left school to play football for Coventry City and Hereford United.� However, rheumatoid arthritis developed after just six months and eventually he had to quit playing about five years later. He went on to become a local newspaperman and later a national sports and news anchor man and reporter.� Apropos Quote: "...the danger is not that people will believe in nothing at all, but that they will believe anything." (Malcolm Muggeridge in defence of Christianity)

~ Rose Impey ~

She was born in Northwich, Cheshire. When first left school worked in a bank but retrained as a teacher. Later she taught in a Junior School in Leicester. She has two grown up daughters. Rose is a children�s writer and now lives in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. Her Publications include: �Potbelly� (series 6-9 years); �Jets� (series 6-9 years); �Banana Books� (Series 7-9 years); '�Creepies� (6-9 years); �Sir Billy Bear & Other Friends� (Harper Collins); �Orchard Book of Fairytales� (Orchard); �Revenge of the Rabbit� (Orchard); �Sleepover Club� (Harper Collins); �The Girl's Gang� (Cassette-Chivers); �Instant Sisters� (Orchard Books); �Fireballs From Hell� (Cassette-Chivers); �The Baddies Series� (Puffin); �Animal Cracker Series� (for new readers); �Peter Pan� (abridged) (Orchard). And her performance work: She has hosted writer's workshop at Ty Newdd in Wales 1997. Rose also undertakes to do primary school visits and hold talks for teachers and librarians, etc. Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Helen Johnson ~

Helen lives in Loughborough, Leicestershire and is a children's writer, poet and writer of short stories. EMA Bursary 1992. Her poetry has been published in various magazines. She was included in the �New Voices� tour 1998. She has had short stories and children's stories published and a book for young teenagers published 1997. She teaches creative writing and runs workshops for adults. Publications include: short stories in �Raconteur 5� (Raconteur, 1995), �Story of the Year 3� (Scholastic, 1995), �Aliens to Earth� (Orion Children's Books, 1997); Women's magazines and other anthologies; children's book �Hot Lips Harrison� (Ginn, 1997); Poems in �The North� (Poetry Business), �Iron� (Iron Press), �The Rialto,� �Staple,� �Tears in the Fence,� etc; various anthologies. She has also done broadcast on local radio� Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Graham Joyce ~

Novelist and short story writer; a resident of Leicester. Graham was a former teacher and is now a full-time novelist. He is an award-winning author and is experienced in working with schools, colleges, prisons and writing groups. Graham also offers talks, readings, workshops and storytelling. His publications include: �Dreamside� (Pan, 1991); �Dark Sister� (Headline, 1992); �House of Lost Dreams� (Headline, 1993); �Requiem� (Penguin, 1995); �The Tooth Fairy� (Penguin, 1996); �The Stormwatchers� (Penguin, 1998); �Spiderbite� (Orion, 1997); �Indigo� (Penguin, 1999). Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Berenice Moore ~

Leicester poet and ex-primary teacher; she has always lived and worked in or around the city and county. berenice began writing seriously when a mature student at Leicester College of Education, and although she has written short stories, she mainly works as a poet. Her Publications include poems widely published in magazines such as Acumen, Envoi, Poetry Nottingham International, Outposts, Staple, etc. and has been included in various anthologies and also Letts educational publications. She has two collections: �The Way We Live� (Outposts Publication) and �Eating Peaches� (Coalville Publishing Co. Ltd., 1993). Her performance work includes running workshops for schools, adult education, University, writers' groups, etc. She also reads at Festivals and at various group meetings - anywhere from church to a tithe barn. Berenice is particularly interested in working with disabled groups. She also works with Emma Gleadall, as EM-BER, poetic duo, two women, two poets, two points of view. Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Christopher Moore ~

Born in Leicester, educated wherever his father happened to be posted, Christopher graduated from St Andrews University with an MA in English. His first job was on Cosmopolitan magazine, after which he decided to try journalism. He worked as a correspondent in Sri Lanka and then as a news producer in breakfast television before quitting to teach in Papua Guinea. For Chris Moore, the Great War developed from a childhood fascination to a full-blown obsession, both with the actuality of the war - its archives and its archaeology - and its abiding influence on English language, manners and customs. Exasperated with the emphasis most war literature places on the officers and political leaders, Moore set out to trace the wartime experiences of one man - one personal history among the 6,000,000 voiceless ranks of Britons in uniform. In his book, "Trench Fever," he chose Private Walter Butterworth, 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, an obscure infantryman in a disparaged outfit of amateurs that somehow managed to win one of the greatest battles of history - who also happened to be Moore's grandfather. In this book Moore retrieves his grandfather's war-song by following (with reluctant family in tow) the three-year march of the 5th Leicesters through France and Flanders.�

~ Chester Morrison ~

Leicester playwright, poet, short story writer and storyteller. Chester has been writing and performing for more than ten years. As a trained teacher, he is able to organise and undertake workshops in any of the areas described as follows: he plays the drums and incorporates Afrikan and Caribbean rhythms in his work; he is also able to do workshops in various rhythms. His performance work includes: reading in poetry slams, story telling on radio, through �Island Voices� and performing in numerous venues in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. He has also performed at the Phoenix Arts, Centennial Centre, Imani Ujima, Brockwell Park, and various youth centres, schools and community centres. Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Peter Morriss ~

Born in Derbyshire, Peter now lives in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. His work has appeared in Poets England, International Society of Poets, Poetry Club, Poetry Guild, Forward Press Anthologies, Poetry Now, Arrival Press, Anchor Books, Triumph House, and Fosse Focus and Fury, a United Reformed Church anthology. Hewon two awards for his poetry in 1996. He contributed to the World Health Organization in Poetry and The Art of Medicine under a Dr. R. Philipp at Bristol University. His favorite subjects are wildlife and the sea.

~ E. Phillips Oppenheim ~

Oppenheim wrote over 100 spy novels in his life, and contributed greatly to the development of that genre. He was born in London and grew up in Leicester. As a young man he worked for his father's leather business, but began writing as a teenager and had his first short story published when he was 18. Within two years he had written and had published his first novel. Ten years later, he wrote five novels in one year, and continued to produce three to five novels a year from then until his death. His success enabled him to purchase a villa on the Riviera, where he and his wife lived until the threat of World War II forced them to leave and resettle on Guernsey in the Channel Islands. He died there in 1946, leaving a legacy of his hundred plus novels and several screen adaptations. Among his more famous novels are the following: The Governors, The New Tenant and The� Vanished Messenger.

~ Joe Orton ~

Controversial playwright; author of such black-humour farces as Loot, What the Butler Saw and Entertaining Mr.Sloane.� Born John Kingsley Orton in Leicester in 1933,schooled on the Saffron Lane council estate before leaving to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London . Apparently he was not a big fan of Leicester (the City that is not the "City"). This link following will give you a short biography --> [Link]�The name above will take you to an interview with Joe Orton.

~ Lynda Page ~

Novelist Lynda Page was born and brought up in Leicester. The eldest of four daughters, she left home at seventeen and has had a wide variety of office jobs. She has tried her hand at window dressing and overlocking, but is presently Operations Liason Officer at Land Rover Parts Ltd. She presently lives in the village of Groby near Leicester with her two teenage daughters. Her novels include such titles as Evie, Annie, Josie, Peggie, And One For Luck, Just By Chance, At The Toss Of A Sixpence and Any Old Iron. Many, if not all, of her novels are about life in Leicester before, during, or just after, WWII. Book reviewer�s quote: �Lynda Page creates strong characters and is a clever and careful story teller�She has the stamina not to alienate you as a reader and to keep the story going on a constant flow of purpose and energy�A great writer who gives an authentic voice to Leicester�A formidable talent.� LE1 For more on Lynda, click on her name above and read an article about her from the Leicester Mercury.

~ Ashley Redburn ~

Dedicated Churchill scholar and former of Hour." He was born in Leicestershire in 1912, and took a history degree from Nottingham University and spent four years teaching history in South Africa and Hampshire. In 1936 he joined the Territorial Army; three years later he met Winston Churchill, and wrote about in the Finest Hour #60. He landed on Sword Beach in the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion on D-Day, and joined the mopping up forces in Burma in November 1944. The article (link) is in tribute to him.

~ Ted Sharpe ~

He is a broadcaster, critic, freelance writer, novelist, playwright, poet, short story writer and resident of Loughborough. His stage plays include: �Pitch-Pine and Brass Handles� and �Too Many Pebbles� (both presented at Leicester Haymarket Studio); �Roll Over Play Dead,� �Somebody for Dinner� and �When We Practise to Deceive� (all prize-winners at national drama festivals and all published). Ted has written �Comings and Goings� for BBC Radio 4, comedy scriptwriting for the �Two Ronnies,� �News Hudd-Lines,� �Week-Ending� and the �Lily Savage� TV shows. He is a tutor of numerous weekend and one-day playwriting courses. Ted also is a teacher of playwriting at Birstall Community College of Further Education and a tutor of Public Speaking and presentation skills. All of his stage plays, listed above, have been published by the New Playwrights Network. He worked on a son et lumiere for Richard Briers for presentation at Southwell Minster in 1999. His performance work includes lots of rehearsed play readings, poetry readings and excerpts from novels readings. Ted Sharpe is a full-time creative writer/broadcaster and tutor and is available for teaching, lecturing or reading engagements for schools, colleges, universities or writers' groups (diary allowing). Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Steve Skidmore ~

Steve lives in Birstall, Leicester and is a children's writer, playwright and teacher. A children's writer (with Steve Barlow) in drama, fiction and non-fiction. A series editor for Playscripts for O.U.P Heinemann and Ginn. Publications include: �What a Load of Rubbish!� (Cassells, 1990) �Poison! Beware!� (Cassells, 1990) �Paper Tigers� (Oxford University Press, 1991) �I Fell in Love with a Leather Jacket� (Piccadilly Press, 1993 and Puffin, 1994); �In Love with an Urban Gorilla� (Piccadilly Press, 1994 and Puffin, 1995); �Ginn Plays Reading 360 New Plays� (1993-1997); �Stone Me� and �Thingumybob� (Ginn Educational, 1994); �Dramaform� (Hodder Headline, 1994); �Stone Me!� (Dutton, 1995 and Puffin, 1997); �Colin the Barbarian� (Ginn Educational, 1995); �The Diary of a Mega Hero� (Ginn Educational, 1995); �Get Better Grades� (Piccadilly Press, 1995). Many more titles in addition - check link above. Performance work: A lot of school visits. Literary Festivals (NCBF, Edinburgh), many library visits and performances with Steve Barlow. Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ C. P. Snow ~

Charles Percy Snow (Baron Snow of Leicester) was born in Leicester in 1905 and was educated at Leicester University College and earned a doctorate in physics at the University of Cambridge, where, at the age of 25, he became a fellow of Christ's College. After working at Cambridge in molecular physics for some 20 years, he became a university administrator, and, with the outbreak of World War II, he became a scientific adviser to the British government. He was knighted in 1957 and made a life peer in 1964. As an author, novelist and physicist, Snow had an active and varied career, including several important positions in the British government where he was technical director during the years 1964 to 1966. C.P. Snow died in 1980. �

~ Derrick Swinfield ~

Derrick Swinfield was born in Leicester and is the eldest child of Joseph and Katherine (nee Airey) Swinfield. His mother Katherine was my Dad's sister and my Aunt. Derrick is my cousin and he has traced our family's common roots back to the the early 1600s and other family roots, on his own side,� back some 450 years in the County. Our Grandmother's family (the Steeples) were Freemen of the City of Leicester for many generations. Derrick married Janet Haird, a Gainsborough Lady, they have 4 children: Mark, Claire, Simon and Tracy. Educated at Alderman Newtons Boys School, Derrick worked for several companies as an engineering designer, including Rolls Royce Aero Engines at Derby. Qualified as a Chartered Engineer, he was conferred the title of European Engineer in 1989. Derrick has been a keen beekeeper for 25 years, now retired, he researched his first novel, "Lieutenant Brace and The Intrepid," for over two years. The story covers a period of 100 days in 1797 when Britain stood alone (as they were to do again in 1940) with only the might of their navy to protect them against a superior army - the French army under Napoleon.� The dramatic events of that time - fully recorded in historical documents, letters and newspapers - serve as a backdrop for this story of Lieutenant Brace, an officer charged with investigating the loss of one of the navy's Frigates. The cover design for the book was done by Derrick's son Simon. You can view this wonderful piece of maritime art by clicking on the link (Derrick's name) above. Other family members mentioned in the book's acknowledgements are Derrick's wife Janet for her support, Mark for his computer know-how, Clare for her care through difficult times, Tracy for her thoughtful comments and helpful corrections and Derrick's sister (another cousin) Patricia Kirby for her useful suggestions - a real family effort.

~ Henry Ryder Taylor ~

(1850-1908). Henry Ryder Taylor (also found as Ryder-Taylor), journalist and author, was born in Leicester, England, on May 5, 1850, and began his journalistic career with the London Telegraph and All The Year Round. In 1881 he came to the United States and settled in San Antonio, where he was editor of the Sunday Mirror. He lived for two years in Mexico City, where he wrote for the Two Republics; he then worked in St. Louis and New York before returning to San Antonio to publish the Texas Figaro, a weekly paper devoted to drama, sports, society, and politics. He was one of the first reporters on the San Antonio Daily Light and was on the news staff of that paper for over twenty years. He wrote poems and was engaged in the publication of the International Magazine until a short time before his death. As a youth in London he knew Charles Dickens and possibly served as the famous author's amanuensis. While living in San Antonio, he was occasionally host to (and perhaps a collaborating writer with) O. Henry (William Sydney Porter qv).

~ Sue Townsend ~

The author was born in Glen Hills, Leicester, and despite leaving school at 15, went on to achieve national and international fame with her books. She is perhaps most famous for the "Adrian Mole" series. Sue attended my school, Glen Hills Infants and Junior School, starting in 1951 (one year after me), and her memories of those early days at that school are reproduced in an article (follow the link) Diary of a Schoolgirl Aged 4 ¹/4. Sue's publications can be viewed at this page --> [Link]

~ Veronica Ann Twells ~

Born in 1941, and one of three children. Her parents came from Yorkshire to live in Leicester just before the Second World War. She liked to read anthologies when she was only 10 or 11 years old, preferring to read poetry and also the words of Folk Songs in the libraries. Her other interests include gardening, reading, drawing, photography and Western Line and Partner Dancing. She thinks England must be seen in Maytime when the greenness pervades everywhere. "Winter is many months of the year / But now at last Maytime is here; And birds sing from a leafy screen / In the trees and hedgerow freshly green."

~ Max Wade-Matthews ~

Max is a writer and researcher who has written many books on his adopted city of Leicester as well as on topics ranging from Railways to Music. If you wish to learn more about Leicester's long and colourful history, you can visit Max's website by clicking on his name above, or order many of his books (including "Musical Leicester") through "Heart of Albion Press" (see the Leicester Links page). Be sure to read "A year in the Life of Leicester: 1836," the text of which, can be found at his website. Max is also� available for research projects on almost any subject, especially Local History and Family History. Max Wade-Matthews was born in Norwich and went to school in Lowestoft.� He trained as a registered nurse before having five years as a professional musician, working in the UK, Germany and Hong Kong. In the early 1980s he established "House Divided" a magazine aimed at American Civil War re-enactors in Europe.He moved to Leicester in 1982 and after studying Local History at the University of Leicester devoted his time to writing and research. He is at present working on a study of the effigies in the churches of Leicestershire and Rutland and A Virtual Stroll Through Leicester. Both will be published as interactive CDROMs. Max is also an rabid, I mean avid, Leicester City fan.

~ Freda Warrington ~

She has been entertaining readers with voluptuous tales of fantasy, vampires and the supernatural since 1986. Inspired by the beautiful Charnwood Forest area in which she grew up, and by early exposure to the vampire genre, she began writing in her childhood and is now the bestselling author of twelve novels. She was born in Leicestershire and, after training at Loughborough College of Art, worked in medical art, graphic design and illustration while writing in her spare time.

~ Liza Watts ~

Liza is a playright and storyteller of traditional tales to audiences of all ages. Her particular interest are in stories of heroic women and tales told by the early Celtic and Ancient Middle Eastern peoples. She works in schools with both traditional and original material. Liza lives in Leicester. Plays performed: �Ugly One� (Match box Theatre); �Rock Cat� (Match box Theatre); �A Samhein Feast� (Backyard Theatre) and �A World Apart� (a community storytelling/drama event devised and written in co-operation with Linden Junior School, Countesthorpe). Performance work: Recent themes for storytelling evenings have been �Mirror Images - stories of beasts and blonds�; �The Island of the Mighty - England's Celtic Past�; �Wise and Wily Women, stories of cunning and courage, loss and love.� Liza also runs storytelling and drama workshops in schools or for adults and groups with learning difficulties. She will also devise community storytelling projects. Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Patricia Wendorf ~

Patricia Wendorf has written several well-reviewed novels, including The Sunday Times bestseller, Larksleeve (1985). She lives in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. Patricia is a Widow and has two sons, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her interests are: Culture of the Romany Gypsies; Local history of Somerset and Dorset; Family history searches.� Among the titles of her novels are Peacefully in Berlin (1983); Leo Days (1984); Larksleeve (1985); Blanche (1986); Bye Bye Blackbird (1987); Double Wedding Ring (1989); One Of Us Is Lying (1996); The Toll House (1997); The Marriage Menders (1999). Additional information from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers:Larksleeve was the first of a trilogy followed by Blanche and Bye Bye Blackbird. All books have been published in hardback and paperback and Leo Days (available in Ulverscroft Large Print) was serialised on BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour and also in South Africa. Larksleeve, Blanche and Bye Bye Blackbird were also translated and published in Sweden.� Double Wedding Ring was published in the USA (1990). Lives of Translation was published by Viking Penguin in August 1992. I Believe in Angels (Penguin, 1994); One Of Us Is Lying (Hodder & Stoughton, (1996); The Toll House (Hodder & Stoughton, 1997).

~ David Wheldon ~

He was born in 1950 at Moira, a mining village in Leicestershire, where his father was the schoolmaster. He was taught at Sidcot School, Somerset, a Quaker foundation, studied medicine at Bristol and pathology at the Radcliffe Infirmary and the Gibson Laboratories, Oxford. He has written poetry all his life, but gained recognition as a writer in 1982 when his first novel, The Viaduct, won the Triple First Award, then a new award of which the judges were Graham Greene and William Trevor.

~ Audrey Willsher ~

Audrey is a novelist, and she presently lives in Oadby near Leicester. She is President of the Leicester Writers' Club (97/98) and is on the committee of the Romantic Novelists' Association; she is an organiser of their annual major award and has also read for their new writers' scheme. Audrey is a member of Society of Authors. Her publications include: �A Candle in the Wind� (Century); �The Savage Tide� and �All Shadows Fly Away� (Harper Collins); �Inherit the Earth,� �So Shall You Reap,� �The Fruitful Vine,� and "Severn House" (part of the series �A Leicestershire Chronicle�). Taken from the East Midlands Arts Directory of Writers and Storytellers. Click on the link (author�s name) above for more information and contact details.

~ Colin Wilson ~

The original "Angry Young Man." Born Colin Henry Wilson in Leicester in June, 1931; his father was a worker in the Boot and Shoe industry. Considering himself a genius, a born writer, and an outsider, Wilson found little value in formal education and left school at the age of sixteen. During the next few years he drifted and traveled around England and the continent. The period 1950-56 was marked by economic deprivation, marital difficulties (he was originally married to an Earl Shilton girl) and general discomfort. His first book The Outsiders was published in 1956. Colin Wilson has written upwards of thirty novels including: Ritual in the Dark, The Girl in the Labyrinth, The Schoolgirl Murder Case, The Personality Surgeon, Adrift in SoHo and his autobiography Voyage to a Beginning. The link will take you to an in-depth interview with this author. This entry in Who's Who was suggested by expat Doreen Perri of Thorold, Ontario.�

Section Eight

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Arts Community ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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(Painters, Designers, Illustrators, Sculptors, Media).

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Click on the name for additional information

~ Adam Barsby ~

Adam was born in Leicester in 1969, and graduating with a first class honours degree from Kent Institute of Art and Design at Maidstone in 1992, he became a freelance illustrator for national magazines and editorials. While working in that capacity, he continued to develop his unique style. Adam was invited to exhibit his work at many galleries throughout the UK, and the warm appreciation for his work and subsequent demand from an admiring public enabled him to pursue a career as a full time professional painter.

~ Tim Cotterill ~

Tim Cotterill was born in Leicester, England, in 1950, and left school at the age of fifteen to complete a 6 year engineering apprenticeship. This metal-directed education provided a sound base for Tim's subsequent career in the arts. Intrigued with metalworking, Tim moved into the sculpture of radical wheeled vehicles, later finding his peak interest in the design of animals and birds during the '70s and '80s. Over 1000 original steel, bronze, and gold bird sculptures have been sold world wide; many through Sotheby's auction house in London. Tim's curiosity of the diverse lifestyles in California led to many trips to the U.S.A. Emigrating to California in 1990, he exhibited and sold his art all across America. These new high energy surroundings brought out the fun in his art. Tim is now fully focused on Frogs. His bronze sculptures capture the whimsical character, the jewel like quality, and the pure JOY of these beautiful little creatures. Tim's work is now represented by 50 galleries world wide.�

~ Juliet Cursham ~

Equestrian artist, sculptor (bronze and silver). She was born in Leicestershire, the heart of English fox hunting. She has had a life-long involvement with hunting, racing and polo. Juliet was made a full member of The Society of Equestrian Artists in 1990 and was awarded the British Sporting Art Trust and Sladmore Gallery Sculpture Prize both in 1993 and 1995. She has just completed first life-size horse and jockey commission for The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.�

~ David Delamare ~

Painter and illustrator of several children's books including one for Carly Simon called Midnight Farm. David was born in Leicester, but has spent most of his life in Portland, Oregon where he enjoys the cloudy weather. Even as a child he was busy drawing, painting, and writing stories. He was strongly encouraged by his mother, Una, and he knew from a very early age that he wanted to be an artist, and has always earned his living through art. In his early years he set up a business painting signs and he occasionally taught art, but he is proud of the fact that he has never had a "real" job.�

~ Zena Foster ~

Artist/Tutor Zena Foster has painted some of the top celebrities, from sporting hero's to Television personalities. Film stars and Royalty too have accepted and admired her works, including, HRH Princes Charles, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and even the Queen Mother, who has accepted her portrait in oils with her Corgi Dogs in a garden scene. Zena was inspired by her late father who was also an artist, she worked to gain her diplomas and City and Guilds and has been teaching art at four colleges for many years. Zena is also famous for having painted in oils, every Lord Mayor of the City of Leicester, from 1979 to 1999, also covering most local Charities. Zena now works from commissions, on any subject, Landscapes, Portraits, Seascapes and Animals. Zena is a fervent anti-smoker and all her painting classes are non-smoking (she gives classes in the local community centre) She also organises monthly dances, which again are non-smoking. This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews, Leicester Research.

~ George Moore Henton ~

George Moore Henton (1861-1924), who was born at 64 Regent Road, Leicester, became one of England's foremost landscape painters. His father, George, worked at Paget's Bank and eventually became manager. Young George was educated at Mill House School, London Road, before receiving his first artistic training from Wilmot Pilsbury, the first principal of the Leicester School of Art. Henton had no sympathy with the ultra modern school of painting, preferring to make exact reproductions of his subject. His forte lay in the portrayal of buildings and his exactitude of architectural detail made his work easily noticeable in any collection of pictures. He had his first of many exhibitions at the Royal Academy in 1884. Henton was also an expert with the camera and left a remarkable collection of photographs, which is a priceless record of the architectural antiquities of the city and county. This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews, Leicester Research.

~ Caroline Holden ~

She was born in Leicester in 1954. She took an Art/Design course at Loughborough College of Art from 1970-1973 and has lived in London since 1974, working as a freelance illustrator cartoonist. Caroline's clients include New Scientist, Law Gazette, Dyslexia Contact, Express Magazine, the Sunday Times and children's TV (Jackanory). She has a number of her own books in print as well as those of other authors which she has illustrated, significantly, all of Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole books.�

~ David Howells ~

David Howells was born in Leicester in 1960, and emigrated to Canada in 1972. He studied fine art at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick and Graphic Design in Middleton, Nova Scotia. He has established himself in Canada and now seeks greater exposure abroad. He has exhibited in numerous galleries in Canada, USA and England. Many commissioned works have been done which include: private commissions, book illustrations, a church mural and stone lithographs. His works are in many private and corporate collections in the following countries: Italy, Hungary, England, Australia, Sweden, USA and Canada. Exhibitions range from solo exhibitions to the O'Keefe Center - Toronto, Canada. Click on the link (his name above) to see examples of his work.

~ Andrew Hull ~

Andy was born in Leicestershire. From this early age he was fascinated in design and after following an art foundation course which allowed him to experience different disciplines Andy decided that he wanted to specialise in ceramic design. He choose a three dimensional design course specialising in fine art ceramics at Loughborough School of Art and after gaining a degree decided to pursue his interests in sculpting and design. For more on Andy's work. click on the link (name above) and it will take you to the magazine "Horsing Around." Just click on "Past Issues" and then look for Issue No.33; then click on "The Fables Collection."

~ Paul James ~

Paul was born in 1961 in Leicester. He has been painting since he was a young child and his first love has always been art. Although James was accepted at art college, within a year he rebelled against what he felt was a far too restrictive regime. He then looked to a career in music and he became a professional keyboards player. After a few years as a musician, a motor trader and in other forms of self employment, in 1985 James decided to return to painting and to make a living as a professional artist.

~ Michaela Kelly ~

Artist for all Reasons. Michaela Kelly is a southern counties artist who has spent the past 20 years in Leicestershire enjoying its particular countryside and expanding her repertoire of capabilities. �Once, primarily an equestrian artist, Michaela now includes all animals, trains, ships, landscapes, planes � indeed any subject. For many years she specialised in exterior signwork, pub signs etc., which featured her own very well-researched designs. All her work is in oils. From the samples given (see website - click on name above) you will see that the style is not modern, minimalist or "arty" but traditional and realistic. Michaela�s desire for realism in all her work led to a venture into trompe l�oeil and many homes now have their own Kelly trompe l�oeil in kitchens, nurseries, sitting rooms, etc.

~ Stephen Partridge ~

Stephen is a media artist and producer. He was in the "landmark" shows of the 1970s including the Video Show at the Serpentine in 1975, the Installation Show at the Tate gallery in 1976, The Paris Biennalle in 1977 and the The Kitchen in New York in 1979. During the eighties he exhibited widely and also became interested in works for broadcast television and was commissioned by Channel 4 television to produce Dialogue for Two Players in 1984. With Jane Rigby, he formed Fields and Frames - an arts projects and television production company - which produced the innovative Television Interventions project for Channel 4 in 1990, with nineteen works by artists for television (including his own piece in the series - The Sounds of These Words.

~ Mark Postlethwaite ~

Born in Leicestershire in 1964, Mark started to paint aircraft on canvas at the age of 17. A lifelong interest in flying and aviation history together with his professional knowledge of light through his career as a photographer, soon combined to produce work of the highest standards in this exacting field. In 1987, he became the first ever Artist in residence at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon in what was the first major exhibition of his work. At the age of 27, Mark was elected to become the youngest Full Member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and shortly after, left photography to make a full time profession in aviation art.�� His� knowledge of his subject was put to the test only a month after when he competed in and won the TV quiz show The $64,000 Question answering questions on the Battle of Britain.� His work so impressed the host Bob Monkhouse that he bought one of Mark's originals there and then.

~ Daphne Remington ~

A resident of Birstall, Leicester, Daphne Remington is a member of the Leicestershire Society of Botanical Illustrators. Daphne has a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society for botanical painting. She also took part in two exhibitions with the above society when they won first a Silver-Gilt Medal and then last year, in December, won a Gold Medal for painting the flowers introduced into this country during the last 10 centuries. The photograph at the website (click on the name above) is of a painting which was part of this exhibition - "The Bishop of Llandaff" dahlia. Daphne has had 7 one-man exhibitions and taken part in many others - showing in London several times (and selling in London).

~ Peter Saw ~

Originally from Barnsley in Yorkshire, Peter now lives in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. He worked as an Electrical Engineer for over 30 years in the coal mining industry working at Collieries and National Headquarters. After the demise of UK Coal Mining, thanks to Queen Maggie and King Arthur, and the subsequent loss of a job, he had time on his hands and decided to learn how to paint. For about a year he attended various courses in watercolour, oil and pastel at local adult educational centres and at Patchings Art Centre near Calverton, Nottinghamshire. He quickly found that if one wanted to paint, the most important thing to do was practice, then practice and then practice some more! So that's what he did. With no formal qualifications in art, he is mainly self taught. He paints landscapes, seascapes, buildings, flowers and anything else which offers a challenge. He prefers either watercolour or pastel but also works in other media. Taken from Peter's 'Bio.' Click on the name above to go to his website and "the rest of the story."

�~ Howard Shingler ~

Born in Leicestershire, Howard became a full-time professional artist in 1984 after some twenty years of painting experience. Working mainly in oils, he is a very versatile artist painting a wide variety of subject-matter ranging from Lakeland landscapes to Still Life, from African wildlife to large scale battle scenes, from portraits to Victorian scenes. He has achieved particular success with his moonlight landscapes of the Lake District. Many of his works have been published and he has exhibited widely. His paintings are in collections around the world.�

~ Mary Sloane ~

Mary Sloane (1867-1961) was born in Welford Road Leicester. her father, Dr John Sloane, was a prominent surgeon in the town. Mary was first taught Art by Edith Gittins, then after a period at Leicester School of Art, she went to the Royal College of Art, London. She was influenced by her friend William Morris and at the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, there are several of her worked exhibited. Sloane was famous for her carefully worked prints, many of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy. In 1900 she was elected an Associate of the Royal Society of Painters. Mary Sloane was a much travelled lady and lived for periods in Venice, Dordrecht, Majorca, Athens and Florence. She retired to The Nook, Enderby, where she lived surrounded by her watercolours. This entry courtesy of Max Wade-Matthews, Leicester Research. Sir Frank Short, at The Royal College of Art, assisted by Constance Pott (1862-1937) taught generations of etchers, including Mary Sloane.

~ John Stobart ~

The second son of a pharmacist and a mother who died giving birth to him, John Stobart was born in Leicester in 1929. In 1946, John enrolled in Derby College of Art and achieved high honors and a county scholarship to London's prestigious Royal Academy Schools. his paintings of ships in foreign ports were at one time decorating some fifteen shipping company board rooms in London. Stobart emigrated to Canada in 1957 and there in 1976, he established Maritime Heritage Prints, Inc. where collectors still enjoy high quality productions of his limited edition prints. For his biography and examples of his work click on the name above.

~ Lars Tharp ~

Formerly of Stoneygate in Leicester. A specialist in ceramics and oriental works of art, and also advises on musical instruments. After graduating from Cambridge University in Archaeology, he joined Sotheby's as an apprentice in ceramics, later becoming a Director of the company. Today he runs his own antiques and fine art consultancy based in Guildford, while maintaining a parallel career as an author, lecturer and broadcaster. He is a presenter on television's Antiques Roadshow.

~ Geof Walsh ~

Welcome to Geof's Art Gallery & Associated Pages. Geof Walsh is from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He took up painting 3 years prior to retiring. Now at the age of 63 years, he is free to indulge in his hobbies. When he first took up painting, he was fortunate to go on a painting holiday to The Wethersfield Art Centre, Wethersfield, Essex. There he learnt all the basics of watercolour painting. He also joined his local art club which is St Mary's Art Club in Melton Mowbray.

~ David Weston ~

Leicester Artist and Melton resident. As a painter, David is well known for his wide variety of subjects. Among his most favorite themes are landscapes, seascapes, interiors and exteriors of great houses and transport subjects. He is perhaps best known for the latter, especially those associated with the age of steam. He is regarded by many as the foremost British painter in the transport art field. For more about David, and to see his paintings of old Leicester, go to "About the Artist." Also, see "Nostalgia Junction" (links for both of these sections at the top of the Index Page) for images of some of his railway paintings. The link (name above) will take you to David's own website. For an article about David, visit "Leicestershire Past & Present --> link --> [Link]

~ Pals Art ~

Formerly the Ashby Guild of Artists, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Artists' gallery and short biographical details. Includes paintings by: Carole Rogers, Chris Rogers, Michael Haswell, Keith Moore, Jane Betteridge and Jackie Adshead.

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Section 7: [Writing Community]� Section 8: [Arts Community]� �

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