Devonshire Feb 16

Helen Jones reviews new releases from Devon based authors
by Stan Bagwell
Compiled and edited by Christine Hardy
This highly readable book is not only an account, in his own words, of
a Devon fisherman’s life, but an accessible, entertaining and moving
piece of social history. Stan
Bagwell is widely known
in and around East Devon
and as a young boy, watched
his father struggle to earn a
living, fishing from Ladram
Bay. He was determined to
buy his own boat and build
a successful fishing business.
Even in his earliest
memories, Stan’s strength,
determination and humour
are immediately evident and
make for an absorbing and
often moving read. His story
brings the difficulties and
challenges of the fishing community to life, through one family. His
recollections of an East Devon childhood spent trapping and fishing
with his uncles are particularly well observed and beautifully illustrated
with many original photos, maps and diagrams. Stan’s memories span
from 1940 to the present day and have been sensitively edited and
compiled by award winning playwright and local author Christine
Hardy. The book is sold entirely in aid of The Fishermen’s Mission
charity £12.00 and is available online www.fishermensmission.org.
uk - (search for) ʻAll I Ever Wanted’ or www.devonmuseums.net or
The Lantern Shop and Paragon Books, Sidmouth.
ISBN - none
by C J Browne
This is a psychological crime thriller is set in our own East Devon. The
heroine of the story is the highly attractive Dr Kate Trevelyan,
a successful career girl, who
is surrounded by murder and
intrigue when she is assigned to
her company’s South west office,
based here in Sidmouth. Some
locations have had their names
changed slightly but are still
highly recognisable from the
author’s description other
places are completely fictional.
The book plunges us into the
author’s imaginary, nightmarish
East Devon where immigrant
towns become the focus of
violence, demonstrations and
murder. Although completely
fictional, the book reminds
us of very current issues;
including new developments
on AONB, local councillors’
involvement in this and there are also comments on the workings of
the rural local police. For local readers, the characters visit a number
of actual businesses during the book and this add some interest to
the story. Maybe readers further afield might be tempted to seek
them out and enjoy the beauty of the Jurassic coast.
ISBN 9781517052799
by Ted Gosling and June Richards
Brixham has a long and interesting history, particularly relating
to its fishing heritage, at one time being a highly productive and
important fishing port. The choir was reputedly one of the finest in
the west of England and it remains
a picturesque and interesting place
to visit and live today. Ted, author
of over some forty books, takes us
on a pictorial tour of Brixham with
predominantly early 20th century
photographs, along with co writer,
June Richards.
The book contains a range of unique
images of Brixham, some wartime
showing bomb damage, many early
photographs of fishermen and their
catches on the quay alongside their
boats. If you’re keen on local history,
the book is a ʻmust have’ for your
library, a compelling, engaging publication
that allows you to time-travel
back to Brixham’s golden years.
ISBN 9780750947923
BOOK SIGNING - don’t miss meeting and getting a
signed copy from author Ted Gosling Dartmouth
Library - 13th Feb at 1.30pm.
by The Jack in the Green
The Jack in the Green is one of Devon’s best-loved restaurants. It’s
transformation from a near-bankrupt, dilapidated roadside pub into
somewhere consistently recognised by the AA, The
Good Food Guide and Michelin
is a remarkable tale of drive and
determination spanning nearly
24 years. This journey has been
overseen by proprietor Paul Parnell
and head chef Matthew Mason who
between them have now spent a
staggering £5.2 million on local
food alone.
This 168-page book is their story
and features a supporting cast of
suppliers, customers and friends.
For the enthusiastic home cook
there are 42 easy-to-follow recipes
spanning 8 different chapters.
Staying true to their roots as a
country pub there is also a section
on bar snacks featuring their own
classic fish pie and a South American inspired chilli pork belly.
As part of their ongoing support for the local community £5 from
every book will be given to FORCE Cancer in Exeter. To order a copy
please visit www.jackinthegreen.uk.com or call 01404 822240 for
details on local stockists.
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