My proposed new non-fiction book, Spirit of Warwickshire, is currently in the early stages of its journey into the world. Richly illustated with full colour photos by photographer Abigail Robinson, the book contains twenty short pieces about places in Warwickshire that I love, visit often, and believe to have spiritual presence. I define a placeContinue reading “Taste the Spirit of Warwickshire – A Shakespeare-Inspired Spiritual Travel Guide”
Category Archives: life
A Lost Garden Rediscovered and Given New Life: Guy’s Cliffe Walled Garden, Warwick
I love gardens which once were lost, but have now been restored. How poignant and symbolic they seem, and how inspiring when they are recovered and given new life. A famous example is The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall; but we have a rediscovered garden just down the road from us. Just off theContinue reading “A Lost Garden Rediscovered and Given New Life: Guy’s Cliffe Walled Garden, Warwick”
New Book: Spirit of Warwickshire
Now I’ve begun work on my new book Spirit of Warwickshire, here’s a taster of what you’ll find in it. The book, which I plan to release later this year with Luminarie, will contain a selection of articles about places in Warwickshire which I’ve visited and which have spiritual resonance. These will be places whichContinue reading “New Book: Spirit of Warwickshire”
Oxfordshire Place of Inspiration: Castle Inn, Edgehill
A place of inspiration is any place which arouses strong emotions, or perhaps memories, dreams, or reflections. The Castle Inn at Edgehill Oxfordshire is one such place. A tavern was first built in this high location in 1742 – one hundred years after the date of the Battle of Edgehill which took place in the valleyContinue reading “Oxfordshire Place of Inspiration: Castle Inn, Edgehill”
Gold For Pershore College at the Ascot Spring Garden Show 2018
I’m delighted to announce that the Pershore College team – of which my son Jamie was a member – was one of the 3 college teams who were awarded a Gold Medal in the Young Gardeners of the Year 2018 Competition at the Ascot Spring Show 2018. We went to the show on Saturday 14Continue reading “Gold For Pershore College at the Ascot Spring Garden Show 2018”
A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire
What a lovely place the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park is. I was very impressed with it when we visited on Easter Saturday. The park is beautifully landscaped with some enchanting gypsy caravans and playhouses for young children, and the birds and animals are very tame indeed. A word of warning – do buy theContinue reading “A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire”
An Inspirational Circular Garden Design with an Equestrian Theme by Pershore College
Here is the design that my son Jamie’s team at Pershore College have put forward for The Young Gardeners of the Year competition at the Ascot Spring Show 13-15 April 2018 in Windsor Great Park. Personally I love a circular garden design. My ideal is winding paths, leading off behind shrub and trees so thatContinue reading “An Inspirational Circular Garden Design with an Equestrian Theme by Pershore College”
An Amazing Speaker on Issues of Domestic Abuse, Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage in the UK: Raj Holness
Yesterday ( Monday 12th February 2018) at St Paul’s Church, Leamington Spa, I heard an amazing speaker Raj Holness who runs an organisation called Break the Silence Uk (BTSUK) which seeks to protect and support women who have suffered domestic abuse, human trafficking and forced marriages, and also to provide a refuge for them alongsideContinue reading “An Amazing Speaker on Issues of Domestic Abuse, Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage in the UK: Raj Holness”
The Beatles, A Cry From the Heart, and a Curious Collection of Letters From Beatles Fans Full of Youthful Passion
Did you know my very first published work under the name of SC Skillman was a cry from the heart, in the form of a poem which appeared in print courtesy of The Beatles? No? Here it is, a cry from the heart of a frustrated fan, as it first appeared in Beatles Monthly editionContinue reading “The Beatles, A Cry From the Heart, and a Curious Collection of Letters From Beatles Fans Full of Youthful Passion”
A Cat Cannot Always Win: After all, It’s Only A Visit to the Vet
It was the moment she heard me take the basket out of the cupboard. I had under-estimated the acuteness of her hearing skills, and also her memory of past abductions. But having removed the cat carrier from the hall cupboard, unfastened the straps, and set it out in the hallway, I was undone. She wasContinue reading “A Cat Cannot Always Win: After all, It’s Only A Visit to the Vet”
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