Book heads for Europe and beyond

THE new, revised collectable edition of Flushing: A People's History is in demand at home and overseas, with orders coming in from France, the Netherlands and several parts of Britain.

The 384-page hardback book, featuring many previously unpublished photographs, spotlights several of the longest established families in Britain's warmest mainland village.

Also featured are notables who have lived in Flushing since it was the hub of the international mail service during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

For me, researching and writing the book has been a delight, though the index (the first I've ever compiled) set my head spinning and kept me up on many a night.

Particularly interesting were the many discoveries I made about village life and the characters who have brightened daily existence over the centuries.

What became clear is that, even during the hard times, Flushing was always a warm community with a big heart.

I hope the book will be seen as a valuable addition to the village archives, and something to be passed down through the generations.