It is hard to believe that this summer’s hit film Where the Crawdads Sing was in fact the debut novel of writer Delia Owens. First published in 2018 the book sold more than 4.5 million copies and was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Book Club. Set in 1950s America, the story follows the life… Read More Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Inspirational women I Swam the English Channel After being involved in a serious road accident as a child Christine Bradley lost her confidence and gave up swimming completley. Later in life, not only did she take it up again, but she decided to take on the ultimate challenge of swimming the English Channel. The idea… Read More Inspirational Women: I Swam the English Channel
The Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth … Read More Haworth – A complete guide to visiting Bronte Country
If you have always fancied giving writing a go, whether it be a book, short story, poetry, blogging or journalism, there can’t be a better time than the dark days of January. It’s cold and gloomy outside, television is rubbish. We’ve all had enough of the news and could do with switching off social media.… Read More So, you want to be a writer?
My mental health is always much improved if I can get lost in a book for a while. With everything going on in the world at the moment my anxiety levels are creeping up. Add in a dash of Christmas stress and retreating with a good book becomes more of a necessity than a luxury.… Read More Three books to get you through the festive period
Distance: 2k Pram Friendly: Yes – but there are cobbles There really isn’t a better time of year to visit Haworth than Christmas; beautiful cobbled streets, fabulous independent shops with warm and cosy cafes and pubs. If you want a full guide to the village you can find that here, in the meantime here is… Read More Walkshire: Bronte Park and the famous cobbles
Walkshire Distance: 3k approximately Pram friendly: Yes Although only a short walk, this is a great one to do if you have young children. Not only is there the opportunity to stop off at a great play area, there are also a couple of nice cafes on the way. Park in Hirst Wood car park… Read More Walkshire – Hirst Wood and Roberts Park
St Ives Estate in between Harden in Bingley in West Yorkshire holds a special place in my heart, my parents had their wedding reception there and I have walked in the grounds all my life. The estate is vast, about 550 acres, and offers an array of opportunities for lovely walks, a children’s play area,… Read More Walkshire: St Ives Estate Bingley
Last night I listened to Reverend Richard Coles and journalist Arifa Akbar talk about their journey of grief as part of Bradford Literature Festival. Rev Coles spoke of the death of his partner Rev David Coles to alcoholism in 2019 and Arifa Akbar spoke of the death of her sister aged just 45 to tuberculosis.… Read More My grief journey
Distance: Two MilesPram friendly: Yes Towering above the village of Cullingworth just outside Bradford the striking view of Hewenden Viaduct can be seen from miles around and it is here this walk takes place. The viaduct dates back to 1882 when it was used to carry freight and passengers along the Keighley line. It closed in… Read More Walkshire: Great Northern Railway Trail