Category Archives: Bedfordshire

July 29, 2015 · 11:17 am

‘Unsolved Case of Body in Wilstead Woods’ ~ Beds on Sunday Reporter writes …

I’m celebrating being featured in the Beds on Sunday local newspaper! Great article and I do appreciate their time, especially the photographer who was very patient with me, taking shots in various poses in The Swan Hotel, Bedford – in the library of course, in the lobby, up the staircase and out the back. The week had been a bit stressful and I had not had much sleep,  thus the photo in the paper is a bit severe – perhaps they wanted me to look serious and a bit frightening – spooky lighting maybe:

DSCN2418[1]

Beds on Sunday Feature

Their online version photo is much more flattering (when you are not too photogenic you can’t help being a bit over sensitive – hubby says ‘Don’t worry – You look fine in real life’ – charming!)

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/8203-Unsolved-case-body-Wilstead-woods-inspires/story-27472102-detail/story.html

What is all the fuss about. Well, if you have an hour or so to spare next Monday at 2 pm I will be at The Swan Hotel giving a talk ‘Murder in the Library‘ followed by cake and tea and a chance to have a chat and sign a few copies of ‘Murder, Now and Then‘. A very English happening in a charming English hotel. What are you waiting for? Here are the details:

Swan Murder Flyer

1 Comment

Filed under Bedfordshire, Book reading, Marketing your novel, Murder Now and Then, WW1

Tagged as , , , , , ,

July 10, 2015 · 7:12 pm

The Swan Hotel Bedford – Steeped in History and Surrounded by Character

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The Swan Hotel Bedford

The Swan Hotel Bedford was rebuilt by Henry Holland for The Duke of Bedford in the 18th Century and is an imposing building on the Embankment, the River Ouse flowing beside it – is a perfect place for walkers, runner and rowers. Bedford Bridge was probably originally wooden and built by the Saxons but it was the Victorians who first enjoyed the suspension footbridge further along the Embankment, probably the most photographed view of Bedford. The hotel is virtually opposite St Paul’s Church and the Market Place and so it is a

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The Embankment Bedford

central location for the town and spots of historical significance.

Castle Mound is next to the hotel and The Cecil Higgins Museum and Art Gallery is within the grounds behind the castle. Only a few minutes walk you can reach The Bunyan Centre, a museum dedicated to Bunyan and close to the place where it is alleged that he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress – many landmarks of which are in Bedfordshire. Another interesting and unusual place within east walking distance is the Panacea Museum, described as ‘a garden of Eden in the Centre of Bedford.’

Recently refurbished, The Swan Hotel oozes history with its chandeliers and wooden panelled stairs and yet their lunch menu is reasonably priced and would be a haven after a busy morning shopping or visiting the sites.  I have not been to the spa but have put it on my ‘to do’ list, having seen the photos on the hotel website.

I am excited that I will be holding an event at The Swan Hotel on August 3rd at 2pm.  ‘Murder in the Library’ – a fantastic setting to talk about local history and how an unsolved murder near the village of Wishamstead in 1919, inspired me to write my murder mystery ‘Murder, Now and Then.’ This will be accompanied by tea and cake, all for £5, but it needs to be booked.

You can either let me know and I’ll put you on the list or, better still, pop into the hotel reception or give them a call.

Swan Hotel Reception:  01234 346 565  email: info@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk

or contact me: diana@dianamaryjackson.co.uk

Swan Murder Flyer

Leave a comment

Filed under Bedfordshire, Events, Marketing your novel, Murder Now and Then

Tagged as , , , , , ,

June 29, 2015 · 4:33 pm

Another Great Haynes 100 – the 9th!

We attended the Haynes 100 this year as spectators for the first time, after several years of taking my hubby’s car. (which we did try to sell last autumn but it was not to be – probably too late in the season – but is in dry dock just to fix a little something – I’m not really sure what but I try to nod in the right places)

It did not disappoint and there was an abundance of people, cars, stalls and displays. It was a truly a village fair and more. The event is so well organised. Army cadets arrange the parking and the procession of cars, which go twice around the village. The cars are arranged in years, trying to cover each year for the last 100. This makes it a bit quirky.

There were lots of oohs and ahhs over this one – a Rohan Atkinson’s car lookalike from Mclaren:

DSCN2262[1]

.. but these vintage old ladies earned many respectful looks of admiration at the other extreme:

DSCN2259[1]

I love reading the little stories attached. There was one car owned since the 1960’s, bought with a reluctant  £70 loan from the bank. Fifty five years later the humorous comment was that the bankers posh car would have long rusted away – a pretty good investment, I should think.

The owners are passionate about their cars and puff with pride. There are the quirky ones which make me smile:

DSCN2257[1]

Did you know minis where once produces with a trailer including a sink and burner for brewing a cuppa! Very English!

And the tiniest camper I’ve ever seen:

DSCN2261[1]

And finally a photo of our old dear, a Mark 2 which features in my murder mystery, Murder, Now and Then. She will have to go now my hubby has retired – we know that, but we’ll just enjoy it a couple of months more maybe. Isn’t she lovely.

DSCN0158

Leave a comment

Filed under Bedfordshire, Murder Now and Then

Tagged as , , ,