Category Archives: Flying Boats and Sea Planes

July 27, 2012 · 1:02 pm

A ‘Bookiful’ Weekend of Events!

If you have not been lucky enough to have tickets for the Olympics and you want a change from watching events on the TV then come along and say hello at one of my fun events next weekend.

1. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number One!

WHEN? Friday 3rd August at 7.30 pm, pray for a fine evening please!

WHERE? Weston Shore Southampton,

Meeting near the Pitch and Put – No firing golf balls in our direction please!!!!

WHAT? Book reading and Picnic.  A relaxing time to listen to appropriate extracts of my two novels Riduna and Ancasta Guide me Swiftly Home, a little talk and amusing anecdotes, followed by plenty of time for a chat and some wine. 

I have watched many a ship, ferry, sailing boat or cruise liner sail along Southampton Water from Weston Shore over the years, especially when I was a child and so, for me and my characters, Weston Shore represents emotions stirred by loss, yearning and hopefulness!

For more information visit the Weston Shore Society Blog

2. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Two!

WHEN? Saturday 4th August 11.00 to 12.30

WHERE? The Herald Offices, High Street, Hythe (Not to be confused with Hythe in Kent, this is just over Southampton Water)

WHAT? Book signing event and saying hello

We will enjoy a trip over on the Hotspur from Southampton in the morning to reach the pier and little train (if we are feeling lazy) or walk through Hythe to the High Street

3. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Three!

WHEN? Saturday 4th August 13.00 to 14.30

WHERE? Spinnakers Bar on Calshot Spit

WHAT? Book signing event and saying hello 

A group of us will enjoy a meal here but I will be happy to have a chat and sign books. An excellent place to have a spot of lunch or just a drink, then enjoy the fantastic views of the Solent as Southampton Water breaks free! A place seeped in history for the RNAS, the Schneider Trophy and memories for some of the Sunderland taking off towards the end of WW2.

4. ‘Bookiful’ Event Number Four!


WHERE? The Shuttleworth Collection near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

WHAT? Book signing and talking to people in the book/ gift shop 

After 2pm I will be relaxing and enjoying the air display with family and friends. Not only is it a great day out but good to support Shuttleworth, who continue to work tirelessly to make living history!

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Filed under Book reading, Events, Flying Boats and Sea Planes, Historical Fiction, Marketing your novel, Schneider Trophy, Southampton, The Shuttleworth Collection, Weston Shore, Woolston

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June 22, 2012 · 7:30 am

To The Bitterne Heritage Centre BLHS ~ Many thanks

hert2.JPG - 45792 Bytes

Anyone who is interested in local history of the area near Southampton, north of the River Itchen including Bitterne and Woolston, would enjoy popping into the Bitterne Heritage Centre on Peartree Avenue. There are all sorts of artifacts donated by local people which they sometimes loan to schools in the area, but it is also a treasure chest of books and resources including old maps.

On three occasions I browsed though various books, giving myself a flavour of life in Woolston in the early part of the last century, under the guidance of Martyn Basford, who was more than willing to halt his task of classifying and cataloguing items, in order to discuss at length a query I had, or direct me to somewhere where I might find the answer. Areas of research included Supermarine, the history of Southampton and Woolston, the Floating Bridge, local businesses and shops, in fact anything which would add authenticity and colour to the lives of Harriet’s imaginary family who lived in Woolston between 1910 and 1920.

It was Martyn who suggested that I should ask for Colin van Geffen, ‘a local historian and expert in the Schneider Trophy’ when I was on my way to Solent Sky.

More recently I cannot thank him enough for planning the actual launch of my novel

Ancasta ~Guide me Swiftly Home

on 7th July

I sent Martyn an e mail saying that I felt it important to celebrate the event in or near Woolston itself and asked for suggestions. I didn’t hear from him for over a week, but didn’t worry because it was Jubilee weekend and everyone was busy, one way or another.

I was so surprised and grateful to receive his email later on saying that he’d planned the morning for me.

At each of the following venues I will give a short talk for ten to fifteen minutes and then have time to sign books for anyone who would like one:

10am Woolston Library

11am Bitterne Heritage Centre

12 noon Bitterne Library

What a wonderful morning Martyn has planned for me and I cannot thank him enough! If you are anywhere in the neighbourhood then pop by and say hello. They also have a bookshop and charity shop a few doors away from the Bitterne Centre which is worth a visit too, and you can find details on their web-site:

BLHS HERITAGE CENTRE 

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Filed under Book Shops, Flying Boats and Sea Planes, Research, Supermarine, Woolston

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June 18, 2012 · 1:00 pm

To The Shuttleworth Archives ~ Many thanks!

Diana with the Avro504K

In the first few months of my research I spent several days at the Shuttleworth Collection Archives under the guidance of John Benjamin and Richard Greaves. I skimmed through many books about early flight, especially flying boats, Supermarine and the first sea plane carriers used in the Great War. I was also very kindly allowed to bring home a couple of books I wished to read in more detail. (I will write some book reviews later this year)

I believe I’m no different to any other writer of historical fiction in that I only expect to use about 5% of my research materials. At first I use the books as a guide to writing my plan and developing the first draft. During the first draft I found myself homing in on certain aspects and needing to return to the archives for more specific information.

It may seem a little bit strange that I should go to Shuttleworth, especially for information about the history of flying boats, but the main reason is simple; I am fortunate enough to live near-by and their planes often fly over our garden. Once I became a member of the SVAS I was allowed to gain access to the archives and I was greatly impressed by the extensive range of books and other resources available. It is open on a Tuesday, being manned by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, meaning that my visits had to coincide with my holidays. This had the bonus of giving me enough time to assimilate my materials, consolidate my ideas and be increasingly specific about my queries.

Both John and Richard were extremely patient with me, often answering emails with smaller queries in the meantime. I was so grateful that, on asking if they would mind checking through my relevant chapters, both gentlemen were willing to check through the complete document. Their support, input and encouragement was invaluable and I can’t thank them enough.

I supplemented these visits with walks around the aircraft in the museum, getting into conversation with the people carrying out maintenance, who give me snippets of detail about the manufacture of the planes, for example the distinctive style of stitching on the wings.

Shuttleworth is unique in that, the majority of the aeroplanes you see in the museum, you can also enjoy the pleasure of watching them fly on one of their monthly air days through the summer. I have written a couple of blogs about these memorable days, and it is certainly a thrill to see planes like the Avro 504, similar to one featuring in my novel, taking off and soaring above our heads. Amazing!

Here is the Shuttleworth Website.

I am pleased to announce that the bookshop at Shuttleworth have agreed for me to do a pre- launch exclusive book signing for 

Ancasta ~ Guide me Swiftly Home

at their

Air Pageant Day

on July 1st

one week before the national launch on July 7th!

Fingers crossed for the weather.

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Filed under Ancasta, Book Shops, Early Flight, Flying Boats and Sea Planes, Libraries, Research, The Shuttleworth Collection, Writing a novel

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