This comes from an Obituary marking the death of Richard Holmes, and written by Major Graeme Cooper, of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Professor Holmes was the Guild's Patron. It reminded me that I promoted a book of his, THE LITTLE FIELD-MARSHALL: Sir John French (Jonathan Cape, 1981), but mention it because Major Cooper's description could equally apply to Sir Patrick Moore, CBE, FRS, FRAS.

*** STAR PROJECT OF 2011! ***

In an extraordinary year, which saw Sir Patrick Moore achieve 88 years (his birthday was on 4 March, 2011), he invited us to publish a little book of his poems, written originally for two children aged 5 and 6, and hidden for decades in a desk drawer. They are short, funny poems about birds and animals, rather like the subjects of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems, which are still enjoyed by – children of all ages! (Remember ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’?)

WITHIN THE GLADE:, which we sub-titled A Collection of Poems written to amuse children (of all ages) was published in soft cover on 27 June. We commissioned 23 cartoons from Dr Euan Dunn, Director of Marine Policy at the RSPB. They were brilliantly drawn, and soon became recognised a ‘little masterpieces’.

It was Euan who embellished the text of our REDBREAST: The Robin in Life and Literature by Dr Andrew Lack. That was when our happy working relationship was forged with him.

WITHIN THE GLADE continues to sell well, and receive media coverage – all of it enthusiastic.. One review we especially liked appeared in the Autumn 2011 edition of THIS ENGLAND magazine - an institution as Patriotic as Sir Patrick himself!

That said, THIS ENGLAND has a an impressive WORLWIDE circulation, and many all round the globe will no doubt have chuckled at the final words in the accolade, with the same cartoon alongside:

'Here is Patrick's poem about the Rat, accompanied by Euan's illustration – now who does that rat remind you of?' !

Other more recent coverage includes Danny Pike’s wonderful chat last November, for BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, with Patrick and Sandra both reading a poem from the book. There was also a full-page, illustrated feature in the January 2012 edition of SUSSEX LIFE.

Look out, too, for a GLADE Poetry Competition, to appear in Sussex newspapers, scheduled for the end of January. (More about that later.)

IN THE NEWS

I now have one of my own books out, CHRISTMAS PLAYS FOR CHILDREN, with two others in the pipeline.

Excitingly, too, THE LUCKY ONES, my plays based on the Eight Beatitudes (the great sermon Jesus gave, on the mountain) are now completed. I am looking for an Agent to handle them, and/or an Outlet for TV or radio production. Any suggestions?

DATES AND VENUES for the coming year:

We have no new events booked until March, but please continue to get in touch, via our website or by email, with queries, messages, and orders.

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Over more than twenty-four years we established a national and international reputation for the effective Script Assessment, Editing, Publishing, Publicising and Marketing and Selling of books. Ever-increasing enthusiasm and respect was gained, from booksellers and readers alike, for publishing just a few lovely books: memoirs, unusual anthologies, and poetry. We took great care in the making of a book, through all the processes, from script assessment and editing to illustration research, and ultimate overall presentation. Our bookjackets have been especially well-liked. After all, if a book looks attractive from the outside, there's a good chance the potential buyer will want to look inside!