Dear Editor,
The Stockton and Darlington Railway bicentenary is upon us, none more excited than good Shildon folk.
Mind, I’d be even happier were it possible to shift a few more copies of All Change, my book reflecting upon all that’s altered hereabouts between my post-war childhood in and around Albert Street and at Timothy Hackworth school and the town of today.
Aimed squarely at the bicentenary, the large format book took more than a year to research and to write – time spent with numerous Shildon organisations ranging from scouts to Shildon Alive and from cricket club to a successful bingo evening at the Jubilee Fields community centre. I’ve spent the winnings.
The town’s schools were greatly helpful and greatly encouraging, the future of retail and licensed trades worrying, the Wagon Works reunion vividly memorable.
All Change was published in the summer, enjoyed wonderful launch events at St John’s Church and at the Railway Institute but, truth to tell, boxes of books still take up rather more space in our garage than is good for the car or for the bank balance.
I hope to be around the town a great deal this week in the lead up to the bicentenary events but particularly – of course – on September 26 and 27.
For those who don’t remember me, I’ll be the big chap with the bulging rucksack, the worried look and the bailiffs in close attendance.
The book costs £13, plus £3.50 postage for those who prefer to buy it that way.
Alternatively it’s available from the Forgot Me Not floristry school in the former HSBC Bank at the top of Main Street or from the equally brilliant George Samuel brewery cafe in the former Wagon Works canteen at the bottom of Byerley Road.
Further details from me at mikeamos81[@]aol[.]com – and, who knows, book buyers might even earn themselves a drink.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Amos MBE, Middleton Tyas, Richmond
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
