MIDLIFE WRITER

Where it began:  So this little adventure actually started back on 31 December 2023, whilst out walking on my annual new year eve walk. I gave myself a challenge that I would go for a walk every Sunday throughout the year. The aim at first was just to walk on Sunday afternoons as a processing therapy walk to clear my head. However, this soon turned into a weekly any day challenge. I wanted to become physically, spiritually and mentally more challenged and healthier. I didn't feel physically healthier despite more walking then I normally would. Yet spiritually and mentally I was starting to feel the benefits. Yet I still needed something more; I felt unable to do community or organised walk such as Park Runs. Derwen College 10k: In March an opportunity arose to complete the Derwen College and Enterprise annual Derwen College 10k Walk in June. Before I had time to think about it I'd signed up and started to generate sponsorship and support. I raised £178 for the Derwen College ch

Petton Hall is situated in the tiny hamlet of Petton approximately half an hour drive from the country town of Shrewsbury and 20 minutes from Ellesmere. Petton Hall has not always residential properties, and through the years the estate has passed through many hands since . The earliest documented evidence of Petton is in the Doomsday Book. Emma Florence Cunliffe, daughter of John Sparling inherited the Old Petton Hall at the age of 19 in 1867. A strong woman who ruled like a monarch on the estate, her word was law because usually people's livelihoods depended on her. Mrs Cunliffe was to arrange for the old Hall to be pulled down to make way for her more imposing new house in around 1892, which was positioned close to the original Hall. The access approach, the drive and gardens were all rearranged. The Kitchen gardens and vineries were extensive and highly productive at this time. The estate had its own out door swimming pool, yet it is unknown when that was installed as later on

ITS RAINING AGAIN We're all staying indoors today  As autumn rains fall from the sky In a dull pallet of grey upon grey  Casting dark shadows on this day  Rain on autumn and winter days  Fast overflowing from the drains Flooding in country village lanes Each time the sky sheds its tears  Schools indoors wet play today  In the classroom kids must stay Sending kids and teachers crazy  Wishing it stops, so to go out to play  Feeling fine, although stuck inside  All those inside jobs now getting done  Whilst some don't get to have a choice  Brave is the man, who has to work outside  It raining, grab the washing from the line  Put it out again when the weather is fine  Muddy dogs come bounding into the house  And across wet floors we acrobatically glide Rain casting down from autumn skies  Down onto the ground creating puddles  As cars go by and carelessly splashes Wetting us that walk along the pavements Rain coming down, but never goes up Hammering it down upon the roof top Relent

In late September on a mirador around Wrexham I came upon Wrexham museum and the discovery of Brymbo Man. Brymbo is a village and community in Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It lies in the hilly country to the west of Wrexham city. In August 1958 local workmen were digging a trench near to Cheshire View, Brymbo, near Wrexham. There they encountered more than they had expected: a large capstone about 30 cm (1 ft) below the surface. They had stumbled upon what the modern day inhabitants refer to as 'Brymbo Man'. Archaeologists arrived soon after, the discovery had been made and there discovered a stone-lined box or cist beneath. Within that box, the remains of the so-called "Brymbo Man" were discovered. Closely examining the damage to the skull, experts could tell that he survived a wound because they could see it healed. The teardrop shaped pit points to an arrow being the probable cause. Estimated at being 3,500 years old, he is often branded Wrexham's oldest re

Welcome to the second part of 'Save The Children' blogs. The eagle eyed amongst may have spotted a view discrepancies. Finally new technology has now decided that it is playing ball, and hopefully  this blog will read smoothly, than the first. If you're reading the second part before the first part, stop turn around and read part one before part two and hopefully the two should link in. In the first blog, we went on the journey of Save the Children and it's founder's Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton. Quite interestingly it was only two years ago I discovered the local connection. I you told in the first of these blogs I had something very special to share with you, well its exciting for me at least. Back in July of this year, my best friend introduced me to a poetry page on Facebook called 'invisible poets'; it has been a really blessing to me as a writer, finding a community where upon I can  get to share my work and hear some amazing poetry. On the

At the beginning of the 20th century, two sisters from Ellesmere in Shropshire, had a vision to protect children and their rights.   After the First World War ended, Britain kept up a blockade that left children in cities like Berlin and Vienna starving.   Malnutrition was common and rickets were rife.  An eye witness reported that "in hospitals there was nothing but paper bandages.  Save the Children's founders, sisters Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton, were part of the Fight the Famine movement, spreading information about what was happening in Europe. In 1919, Jebb was arrested for distributing leaflets in Trafalgar Square. They bore shocking images of children affected by famine in Europe, and the headline: ‘Our Blockade has caused this – millions of children are starving to death'. Jebb was tried for her protest and found guilty. But the prosecuting counsel was so impressed with her that he offered to pay the £5 fine himself. Soon, the sisters decided that campaignin

Blog No.40 🥳 *Short Fiction by Sarah Joy Holden ©️ Every morning from my window I see him sat outside the library door. He's waiting to be let inside and every evening I watch him leave bang on five. Yet, when I call at the library I never see him there.  If I enquire the librarians don't know who he is, they like me see him only at the door but never is he seen on the inside. Yet he's not an employee and he's neither inside nor outside by day or by night. We know he enters and leaves each day but that's all we witness. If they are seeing him too, then I know I'm not going mad. It a complete mystery  that he vanishes without trace. The library isn't that big for him to be lost inside; but he always enters and always leaves via the same door.  No one in the town ever see's him, yet they know he enters and leaves the library. He isn't known to the local constabulary or at any hostelry. He is simply a gentleman of mystery, that arrives at the librar

On Saturday July 15th 2023, I went with my church Prospects group to see 'The Chester Mystery Plays' at Chester Cathedral. The cast, from all backgrounds, ages and abilities of community theatre. Which for me made that extra bit special as in the performance itself. In my experience it was probably the most spectacular and emotional performance of the Bible timeline, I've ever witnessed. Even now 4 days on its still having a profound effect on me, as well as my friends that where with me. The setting of the cathedral, the sound and atmosphere, really made you feel that you where right there in the heart of the events of its day. For me it was the crucifixion, it just broke me; and I could see in the audience a child hugged into his mother. On the other from me, I saw three friends holding each other.  Women were crying in the auditorium, the music was powerful and I became for a moment like everyone else, a sense that we were not in Chester cathedral but in 'The Garden

Sheila sat in a library of surrounding her, watching the the book launch of her friend Mandy's novel. Sheila could hear the chatter of reviews. Yet sadness grew inside of her, although happy for Mandy, she wondered could and should this be her.  Both Sheila and Mandy had been part of the same writers group based in Lancashire for many years; both with a passion for creative writing. Sheila and Mandy always had a dream to one see the words in print, yet Sheila always suffered with low self confidence. Mandy however is the assertive one among them both. Mandy see's an opportunity and follows it through. Sheila is more thoughtful and very much a day dreamer (tomorrow will do). So let's head back now into the library, Sheila smiles and interacts politely with Mandy's guests as she heads towards the cafe area. She knows she has to put her own feelings aside because this is Mandy's day. Sheila is one of those silent servant characters, always lending a hand where need

Bernadette boarded her train and selected herself a window seat; Removing the bag from her shoulder and placed it close by her side. She started to settle into her own space, preparing for the journey ahead of her. After awhile, the train starts of on it's journey and for once it actually leaves on time.  Bernadette notices a gentleman sat opposite her with a pen behind his ear and a notebook held closed with a tatty old shoe lace. The train now gathering speed as trees go whizzing past. Bernadette turns away, remembering what her mother always told her, it's rude to stare. The gentleman now unties his notebook and takes the pen from behind his ear and begins to observe the carriage.  Suddenly, Bernadette hears footsteps behind her, and a voice that shrills 'Tickets Please'. Bernadette is reassured by the ticket masters voice and holds her ticket towards him, trying to acknowledge him whilst trying to avoid the glances of gentleman opposite.  Now the ticket master has m

*NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR; The story you are about to read is written as a fictional story and includes Alice a fictional character.* Alice scanned the local book fair, at a local writers convention, which was full of impressive looking books. There sat a space where Alice book should have been, yet Alice felt it wouldn't fit with the rest. Because looking back at Alice, where many fancy titles and bright fancy covers. Alice, felt their's felt so thin and bounded in a dull cover. So, Alice's book remained hidden within her bag, unheard and unseen. Alice felt they needed more time, transferring from writer to author. For now Alice felt that her written words didn't belong here. So, Alice gathered her thoughts and slipped quietly out the door. Yet Alice felt the free coffee and biscuits where good. Travelling home, Alice's over thinking mind kicked in; around the pitfalls and reality of being a writer to the possibility becoming an author. Was Alice willing to let her wor

THE SEARCH (A short poetry story) Lost in the white of the snow, You search, but nothing shows, Somewhere buried in the earth, As others now join the search. Soon the whole street was full, A park keeper came with a shovel, Some unaware of what was lost, Some where expressing doubt. A policeman blowing his whistle, Came across this frantic scene, 'Order what is all this commotion, Can someone please explain'. 'Me sir' a small timmed voice spoke, I have lost my white earphone piece, I've dropped it somewhere in the snow, And these kind folk are helping me. 'Well what a daft thing to have done, You must say thank you to these people, And You'll just have to be more careful.' The small voice replies; 'O' that I will. Just then the culprit felt something in his pocket, They reached in, and yelled 'I've found it'. It had been hiding in there pocket all along, And crowd went on their way, rejoicing. - Midlife Writer ©️

A short story by Sarah Joy Holden ©️ It was a usal night of little sleep. Her inner head was a racetrack of thoughts and words. As she finished her last poetry line, 'Who is going to read it at this late early hour, she wondered.' There's only myself awake, the rest of town is fast asleep. Then, through the dark silence, she heard a call at her window;It was owl. And it comforted to know she wasn't alone after all. She stepped towards the window as the owl's eyes met with hers, with a startled surprise. 'What are doing up at my hour?' asked owl. She answered,'Cannot sleep', I've written a poem, but the world is asleep there's no about to hear it. 'Then what am I' owl replied'. 'O', please forgive me.' I never knew you were there until we came face to face. Would you like to hear it. 'too-wit too-woo' I most certainly do, "replied owl.Okay, fair enough, are you perched comfortably, then I'll begin. &

Betty Boothroyd was a woman of her time, who would always bring the house of noisy men to order. Betty Boothroyd was a British politician. During the mid to late 1950's Betty Boothroyd Worked as secretary to Labour MP Barbara Castle and Geoffrey de Freitos. Boothroyd stood five times before eventually winning the bi election seat for West Bromwich West in 1973. Born in October 1929 in Dewsbury United Kingdom. She was the daughter Benjamin Boothroyd and Mary; her parents both being textile worker's. Betty studied at Dewsbury College of ' Commerce and art. She worked as a dancer becoming one of the famous 'Tiller Girls' and briefly appearing at the London Pallendium. A foot infection brought an end to her dancing career. And Boothroyd chose then to step into politics. But to many of us Betty Boothroyd is remembered for her no nonsense but gentle hearted position as the first ever lady 'speaker of the house' in 1992, in its 700 year history. Betty Boothroyd