The 7th annual ‘Holly Holy Day author event’

Reporter Jonathan White

The 7th annual ‘Holly Holy Day author event’, organised by the Nantwich Book Shop & Coffee Lounge, took place at Nantwich Bookshop & Coffee Lounge on 46 High Street in the centre of Nantwich on Friday 24th January 2020. The event took place on the evening before the annual Holly Holy Day ‘Battle of Nantwich’ re-enactment - www.battleofnantwich.org - in the town.

Holly Holy Day traces back to the 17th century and the four-year-long First English Civil War between the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and the Royalists (Cavaliers) loyal to Charles I.

The event was compered by English Civil War re-enactor & historical fiction writer David Wilson (pen name, DW Bradbridge) and featured Civil War authors Margaret Cooper Evans, writer of ‘The Women of the English Civil War’; Norah Carlin, whose work includes ‘The Causes Of the English Civil War’; and Mark Turnbull, historical fiction writer of 'Allegiance of Blood'.

Margaret Cooper Evans is a historical writer and re-enactor. A living history interpreter and a speaker on the lives of women in the 17th Century. She joined The Sealed Knot re-enactment society in 1996. Since then she has played the part of a Baggage Woman, a Musketeer, Goodwyfe, a Lady, and a Farmers Wife on the Living History camp. Her research culminated in her first factual History book: The Women of the English Civil War published in 2015. She makes 17th Century clothing and cooks authentic 17th Century food. Margaret has had articles in the mainstream British press and specialist historical magazines. She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two cats.

Norah Carlin was a Principal Lecturer in History at Middlesex University (London). She is the author of numerous books and a number of articles on aspects of the seventeenth-century English revolution. Having moved back to her native Edinburgh some years ago, she is currently pursuing research on the kirk and rural society in Scotland in the century after the Reformation.

Mark Turnbull, after a visit to Helmsley Castle at the age of 10, bought a pack of ‘top trump’ cards featuring the monarchs of England. The card portraying King Charles I fascinated him. Van Dyck’s regal portrait of the King and the fact that he was executed by his own people were the beginnings of Mark's passionate interest in the English Civil War that has lasted ever since. In the absence of time travel, he thoroughly enjoys bringing this period to life through writing. He has written articles for magazines, local newspapers and online educational sites. He has also re-enacted battles with The Sealed Knot and for several years edited the Historical Novel Society's online newsletter.

Denise Lawson, Nantwich Book Shop & Coffee Lounge, said, “Thank you to the three authors for coming to Nantwich to talk about their books. We thank everyone for their support and hope that they enjoyed an informative evening.”

For further information relating to books written by the authors please visit Nantwich Bookshop & Coffee Lounge at 46 High Street in Nantwich, or contact via phone: 01270 611665, email: info@nantwichbookshop.co.uk , or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NantwichBookshopCoffeeshop/

Other Nantwich Bookshop & Coffee Lounge author events in the near future:

-Tuesday 28th January - David Maidment talks about his latest work, in collaboration with Paul Carpenter, ‘Cambrian Railway Gallery’. The book is full of magnificent comprehensive early photographs of Cambrian engines and Oswestry Works. Quentin McGuiness who was Project Head on the Grange Locomotive restoration will be in attendance as well on the evening. Tickets are £7.50 per person, which includes snacks and a £2.50 discount upon book purchase. Cash Bar. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

-Tuesday 25th February - An Evening with Prue & Peta Leith - Prue & Peta Leith will be in Nantwich to promote their new cookbook, 'The Vegetarian Kitchen'. 'The Vegetarian Kitchen' includes one hundred delicious, heartwarming vegetarian and vegan recipes from Prue Leith - the founder of Leiths School of Food and Wine, chef and Bake Off judge - and her niece Peta Leith, former pastry sous chef at the Ivy and lifelong vegetarian. The evening will include an introduction, a forty-five minute talk, question & answer session and book signing. The event will be held at Malbank School on Welsh Row, Nantwich CW5 5HD. Tickets = £20 per person, which includes a copy of 'The Vegetarian Kitchen' (RRP £25) and a glass of Prosecco, Bucks Fizz or orange juice on arrival. There will also be a cash bar, run by Malbank School for their school funds. Doors open 6pm for a 7pm start.