Return to SMATT'S DUO for Sedbergh Artisan Street Market

28 July, Nanna Strawberry thanks SMATT'S DUO for their kind help in allocating
their window table for display and sale of her eight books during Artisan Street Market day.
Despite episodes of rain during the day, the cafe was, as usual, very busy and happily for
Nanna Strawberry several customers bought one or more of her selection of 8 books.
She particularly enjoyed the friendly chats with those who gave supportive interest to her
books. One little girl informed her that she loved books and had lots and lots.Nanna Strawberry
told the bright little girl that each of the 8 Nanna Strawbery books had diffent coloured back
 covers and matching spines which also showed the title of the book.  So they would be
easy to identify on her bookcase, especially if laid flat, on top of each otherl with titles showing.
A lady bought three for early Christmas shopping. Another offered to inform her sister. a teacher,
 that Nanna Strawberry would be willing to visit the school for any book projects and readings.

Nanna Strawberry adds:
A cheerful gentleman walker from Nottingham, there with a party of  friends after their walk for
 the day, said that meeting Nanna Strawberry "has made my day"which certainly pleased me.
One of his friends took a lovely photo of him with 'Nanna Strawberry' and will send me a copy.
Once received I will add it to this blog. Thank you Sue and Matt for your hospitality which enabled
me to have a thoroughly enjoyable day. :Thank you also to Amy, their hardworking waitress,
for helping me carry display material and books back to my cottage in exceedingly heavy rain.
   
Nanna Strawberry books are on sale at Sleepy Elephant, Main Street, Sedbergh and can also
be obtained from Amazon. Also at the next Artisan Day 25th August. By when, hopefully,
 book number 9,  ' Nanna Strawberry Remembers Crab Fishing', will also be on sale.

Why not collect the full set?   They would look good on your bookcase and are great to read.

Also sold at World Museum and Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool,
Broadhurst books in Souhtport, also available from Amazon (children's non fiction etc) or can be
ordered from the author (Audrey Wilson) and delivered by post or agreed collection point.:
email: nannastrawberrystories@gmail.com /  mobile 07538623739.

Nanna Strawberry

Nanna Strawberry visits Holly Lodge Girls College

This was another happy occasion when Nanna Strawberry had opportunity to share her books
with incoming pupils who were taking part in Summer School at Holly Lodge in West Derby.
It was particularly nice to be greeted with the words "Hello Nanna Strawberry" and the smiling
face of Amelia who I had previously met two weeks ago at Huyton with Roby CE School !
So it was really special to be part of Amelia's transition from Primary School to Girls College.
The same applies to all the 'new girls' I met today.

My thanks to Debbie for liaising with me on behalf of her colleagues and for all her help. Also to
Mrs McColl.  The girls took a keen interest in the production of my children's books and were
enthusiastic participants in role play following the reading of  'Nanna Strawberry Remembers The
Young Queen...'.  which is book number six in my target for a series of twelve in all. The rendering
of the National Anthem was excellent.  I was particularly entertained by the sight of the seated
adults reciting "Mary Mary quite contrary..." while seated on their little 'tuffets'.The applause from
all the girls was well deserved !  I was also delighted to sell many books, duly signed by their author.

I attended Holly Lodge almost 70 years ago, to 1953, and was very happy there. Three of my
lifelong friends were pupils there too. It was lovely today to be remembering them, also
Miss Drummond, Mrs Ingham and their teaching staff. Also lovely to see muscovey ducks
 wandering around. Apparently part of the duck pond is still in situ close to the new housing estate
 which now stands in the grounds where the terrace was, also the main school and Uplands.

It would be a nice 'passing on the baton' if Nanna Strawberry's donation could be used to
 re-establish an annual School Birthday festivity. . After all, it is a group effort by purchase of a
 Nanna Strawberry book..Gifts used to be placed on the Birthday Gift Table and special activities
took place.

My love and thanks to everyone concerned for a very memorable day back at Holly Lodge.
I wish you all every happiness and fulfilment there.

Nanna Strawberry

Happy visit to Huyton with Roby CE Primary School

On Thursday 19th July the school was visited by a number of people who talked
to the children about their particular occupation.  I was pleased to be invited to talk
about my Nanna Strawberry Books.  Firstly at school Assembly in the Junior
Hall, with 'Nanna Strawberry Remembers The Young Queen.'.and I thank Mrs Duffy for
 leading the role play about the Queen's accession on Friday 6th February 1952 and all
the children for taking part so well, even singing the National Anthem without music.
Well done.  The class visits took part throughout the day, my thanks to Dillon and his
classmate for helping to take me from class to class on time.  The children in each class
were a delight, full of life, some contributing their own amusing experiences, others
asking intelligent questions, special interest in my name 'Nanna Strawberry' which was
bestowed on my by my great grand-daughter, Sophie, when she was two and could not
say my name Audrey. Described in book 1 'The Magical Naming of Nanna Strawberry'.
 After school, several children came to the Junior Hall with a parent to buy one of my books.
 Thank you staff and children for a lovely, challenging day, and to those who bought books.

I am not taking part in class visits today, Friday, 20th,but thank Mrs Duffy for inviting me to
return 3pm to sell books after school. I was happy to have some happy customers.

My very best wishes to all School Leavers who today celebrated their pending move to the
 next phase in their school lives, for further education. 

Nanna Strawberry

NB: Nanna Strawberry Stories can be bought at World Museum and Walker Art Gallery
in Liverpool, Broadhurst Books in Southport, Sleepy Elephant in Sedbergh, and from
Amazon. Also from the author at sales and book signings as listed.
or  nannastrawberrystories@gmail.com
£3.99 (plus postage where applicable).

Launch of Book 8 Nanna Strawberry Remembers Billy..

ARTICLE IN WESTMORLAND GAZETTE community news P 53 -2nd August.
Titled   'Octogenarian launches her latest book'    above lovely  picture by Sarah
showing beaming Great Nanna Strawberry and cute great grand-daughter Lyla Rose.

As an octogenarian is between 80-89 years of age, I would have preferred
'Great Gran, aged 82, launches her latest book '  Octogenarian indeed !

However, I thank the Editor for including above article about launch of book 8.

Nanna Strawberry was  present at St Andrew's Summer Fayre in Sedbergh on
Saturday 14 July from 10am to launch her latest book, a lovely story about the cheeky
strawberry roan pony called Billy.  It was a superb sunny day so outdoor activites
were very popular for countless children.  Adults preferred to support the indoor
 activities within the cool of this beautiful ancient church.  the catering team prepared
delicious lunches and kept all helpers sustained by ever popular tea and coffee drinks.

Great grand-daughter Lyla Rose, aged 8 months,  visited with her parents, Mummy took
 a lovely photo of Lyla sat on the strawberry designed table cloth,  giving serious study to the
array of Nanna Strawberry books which were in front of her. News reporter Mike Addison
 at Westmorland Gazette had requested a photo to accompany a report he will hopefully write
 about the launch of book 8 'Nanna Strawberry Remembers Billy...
                                                                    ....    Joan's cheeky strawberry roan pony'.

Evening was going to be fun in Finkle Street with the Sedbergh Street Party and musicians.
which would include my Grandson Rich and his band. Very lively!  I left to join my grand
daughter Katkin  for her Mexican themed birthday garden party organised by her parents.

Then a few days later on Merseyside, at Huyton-with-Roby CE Primary School
on 19th and 20th July, Nanna Strawberry will be doing book readings and helping
with story writing projects

Billy was ridden by Nanna Strawberry's young sister Joan, then aged 9, and between them
they won many rosettes at gymkhana games. The story and illustrations describes the term
'strawberry roan' and also what 'hands high' means for the height of a pony or horse

Billy and his pony friend Robin were ridden by Joan and Audrey on holiday at their aunt and
 uncle's farm amongst rolling moors  in Hollingworth.  Their father bought the ponies and they
were transferred to live on a disused farm with large flat green fields which were awaiting
building development in Liverpool..Other local children had ponies there too. Great fun !

Nanna Strawberry Remembers Billy.. Joan's cheeky strawberry roan pony

It has been wonderful remembering cheeky Billy and his spirited rider, my sister Joan.
Already almost 17 years of age. Joan 8, when our Dad bought him while we were on
holiday at my aunt's farm in Hollingworth, Billy remained active for several more years.
His wily nature helped Joan win countless rosettes at gymkhanas. When it was time for
Billy to leave us for his new home with a four year old girl, Dad made a large horseshow
and secured Billy and Joan's rosettes to it for a commemorative photograph.

Billy's story is told in Book 8,

       Nanna Strawberry Remembers Billy...Joan's cheeky strawberry roan pony

It goes to the printers, Stramongate Press, this Monday or Tuesday and will hopefully
be delivered to the author by 13th July, in time for her stall at St Andrew's Summer Fayre
in Sedbergh. This coincides with Sedbergh Community Party in Finkle Street and
elsewhere.

BOOK SIGNING AT SMATT'S DUO, SEDBERGH ARTISAN FAYRE 28 JUNE 2018

My  thanks to Sue and Matt for allocating me their cafe window table for the above event.
They provided their usual fantastic menu to countless visitors throughout the day and I
indulged in a number of tasty snacks and hot or cold drinks, between selling and signing
copies of my Nanna Strawberry books 1 - 7.   Book 8 in progress.

I was given several charming unusual names for adding to the books, a sign of the times
when some parents opt for giving their children individual identities through their names, even
spelling the names in a manner which slightly differs from the original. Others prefer very
traditional names for their offspring. Whatever the choice, the name always seems just
right for the bearer of it when I am adding it to their new book. 

It was quite a thrill when a member  in a family group came to ask me if I was related to the
Wilson's who once had a newsagents in her area, because she had once had a Saturday
 job there before my husband had owned it, and had met her future husband there.  A young
 man who called in every Saturday when she was on duty.The family now owns three signed
Nanna Strawberry books!

My thanks and appreciation to everyone who took an interest in the display of
Nanna Strawberry books, and to those who bought some.

Book 8 will be printed by Stramongate Press and available for sale 14 Julyfrom 10am at
St Andrew's Summer Fayre which will take place alongside Sedbergh Street party
held throughout the day.

        Nanna Strawberry Remembers Billy ...,Joan's strawberry roan pony

Nanna Strawberry

Happy visit to Croft Primary School

I was very pleased to receive an invitation from Head Teacher Mrs Main to visit
Croft Primary School on Monday 18th June for a reading of Book 6 to the school
assembly followed by half an hour with each year group from pre-school to Year 5
and hopefully Year 6 time permitting.  The assembly of very well behaved and
interested children took part in the interactive activity previously established at other
schools, copying my shorthand demonstration with their fingers in the air, and later
taking part in role play with head of literacy, Mrs Thomason, including standing to
attention to hear the sad news that King George Vi had died that morning and then
joining in the National Anthem  which concluded role play.

It was all very memorable for me, again standing in a school hall almost 70 years after my own schooldays. It also commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation 1953.

The Year by Year sessions were very enjoyable too. Pupils enjoyed the Nanna
Strawberry stories.  I am very impressed by the quality of the questions put to me,
which showed that a great deal of  thought was in progress in the minds of the children.
One reminded us that we should not take too many seashells from a seashore because
over time they break down into sand which is needed.

In the final two Year groups, after reading about my family Easter egg games,we decided
to use small potatoes instead of eggs, for potato and spoon races and throw and catch.

Information has been circulated to parents about availability of Nanna Strawberry books
from school.  I look forward to adding the name of each child and myself in their book.

Sincere thanks to Mrs Main, Mrs Thomason, Zoe and colleagues and all the lovely children
I spent such happy  hours with on Monday 18th June 2018.

Nanna Strawberry