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'A unique phenomenon ... it has real working steam trains' For over twenty years, The Wolsztyn Experience provided an opportunity for railway enthusiasts to support and promote the last days of main line steam in Poland. When Jeff Nicholls signed up for a week's Experience in 2002, it was to become the first visit of many. Returning year after year, Jeff worked side by side with the Polish crews, learning the essential skills of firing and maintaining their beloved engines. But the Experience extended far beyond simply driving steam locomotives. This is also a story of branch lines and narrow gauge, freight and passenger trains, diesel and electric power, and the Polish crews and characters who made the railway their life's work. A personal story of the highs and lows, the humour and surprises of steaming through Wolsztyn ...'Working on the footplate of a steam locomotive is far from glamorous; it is dirty, gritty and hard work - with an element of danger thrown in ...' - JEFF NICHOLLS Includes a map of the routes, a selection of high quality colour images, and fully illustrated throughout with many black and white photographs of the trains, the crews and the Experience.**MEDIA REVIEW** ‘Over many visits in nearly 20 years, the author gets to drive a wide variety of steam locos and visit multiple sheds. Written in easy to read style, not full of railway jargon or overly technical descriptions … this book is highly recommended’ – THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE   'What an adventure - told with such enthusiasm and wit' – Stuart Samuel, author of Heavenly Tidings & Railway Sidings

8 December 2011: I went to a small horse competition in the morning. That much I do remember ... After that absolutely nothing. Surviving a near fatal brain injury brings a person face to face with the very basis of their identity. Some will be lucky and pick up their former lives with barely a missed step. Others will have everything that holds them to who they were stripped away by brain damage. When former Champion eventer Polly Williamson sustains a traumatic brain injury in a horrific incident with a young horse, she is given a 33% chance of returning to life as a wife and mother. It severs her connection to her former self and for a long time it steals away her ability to care for her children. Polly is left struggling to relate to who she was. Brave and beautifully honest, Where did I go? is the powerful yet positive account of Polly's journey to rediscover the pieces of her identity, lost after a traumatic brain injury. Includes exclusive new afterword: Fourteen years later ...With a foreword by HRH The Princess Royal **Praise for Polly Williamson**'A total inspiration, a MUST READ''So honest & insightful, funny & emotional''Couldn't put it down''Beautifully written, courageously honest''What a journey from an amazing woman. Her story will be an inspiration to those who suffer a devastating brain injury and to their families''This is a must read book for those living with TBI, their carers and family/friends who want greater understanding''Polly's book has been inspirational for me and my recovery''By describing her inner thoughts and feelings Polly has made a valuable contribution to helping other people understand what it is like to suffer trauma and disability''Hugely inspirational''This story is incredible, not only because it tells of one person's long, slow and painful recovery from a near-death experience, but because it describes so clearly what it is like to exist with a damaged brain''Polly's book made me realise that I wasn't alone in wondering who I was anymore''I'm astounded, moved, shocked, saddened, but mostly in awe ... It isn't just those who've been immediately affected by such a traumatic event who should read this. Everyone can take something from it'

A tale of family and the call of the farming life from tthe international sheep breeder and author of 'enchanting' If Clouds Were Sheep. Young mum and shepherdess Sue Andrews is working hard to make ends meet while she and husband Aubrey raise two small children on their busy farm in Gloucestershire. They have a growing reputation for breeding pedigree Texel sheep, but Sue also has a dream of her own ... She longs to breed and produce sports horses. Humorous and beautifully captivating, this is the true story of family life on a farm. Full of warmth and determination - and the people and animals who make all the difference along the way. A tale of family and the call of the farming life **READER REVIEWS**'A joy to read' - reader review 'Enjoyed every minute' - reader review'Another super read' - reader review'Beautifully written' - reader review'An enchanting picture of farming life, full of warmth and humour' - Katie FfordeSue Andrews is a journalist and sheep farmer. She has written for county magazines and the national equestrian and farming press. She and her husband Aubrey are established breeders of Texel, Blue Texel and Badgerface Texel sheep. Their close involvement with the work of the Texel Breed Society has taken them all over Europe. Their prize-winning Miserden Texel sheep have been successfully exhibited at major shows up and down the country. They have two children and they farm in Gloucestershire. This is the second book in the If Clouds Were Sheep series.

"We need to tell you something Lily!" they buzzed. "It's about the wildflowers ..." Lily Katinka thinks she is the most beautiful flower in Dudley's garden. But she's rather worried because Dudley has allowed the end of the lawn to grow wild, and it seems so untidy!  Adding to her dismay, the 'ugly weeds and scruffy grasses' are getting a lot of attention from the bees and the butterflies.  What is so special about the bottom of the garden? Lily Katinka has to find out ...  Perfect for children and families who love a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated story about the hidden world of wildflowers in the garden.This edition features an author's note filled with surprising details about bees - for example, did you know that honey bees make a special food out of pollen called bee bread? The first book in the award-winning Dudley's Garden series, with On the Top of Dudley's Pond and In the Middle of Dudley's Log Pile. WINNER of the Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023 What the readers say: 'An important lesson that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and it's not just looks that take centre stage' ~ Kraftireader  'A beautiful story about a Lily who thinks she's the most important plant in the garden ... engaging and memorable' ~ Goodreads reviewer

This is an extraordinary account of a spiritual journey. Caroline Sherwood examines the path that led her to seek spiritual teachers and healers, both traditional and maverick. Based on diaries and journals, and written over the course of a lifetime, decades of study and practice are set against the day-to-day details of a memoir in a uniquely powerful combination. How do we go beyond our current sense of powerlessness to become a conscious and active teacher? What is the essential reality of our relationship to ourselves and the wider world? How can we help and heal ourselves, while also helping others? Whether you are just starting your spiritual journey, or are a life-long practitioner - this is a candid and thoughtful account of following a thread of gold.

"Ultimately we're all alone ... I have a lot of friends but there are some things no friend can share" Solitude can mean freedom. Or it can mean being in a crowd and knowing how impossible it is to truly share another's thoughts. Original and compelling, this is an intimate study of the human experience of isolation. Unforgettable fiction from TV and radio scriptwriter Michael Bartlett (The Archers, BBC Radio Drama)

"I have long since ceased to be surprised at how often incidents in my village end up with someone in the river..." My Village in the Valley is a quiet unassuming place where, on the whole, very little happens. Until, that is, we all get together to tackle aggressive drivers, disputed footpaths, yapping hearthrugs and the ubiquitous village fete. In my Village in the Valley, nothing is ever simple ... Original comedy from TV and radio scriptwriter Michael Bartlett (The Archers, BBC Radio Drama)

"That good old farming saying 'make hay while the sun shines' is true in so many ways ... "  Life on a family farm is always full of its ups and downs, but the past year for sheep farmer Sue Andrews has been busier than most. There's the arrival of husband Aubrey's lively new sheepdog puppy. Then livestock sales become online auctions just as Sue's beloved pedigree Blue Texel sheep are set to find new homes. And now, to top it all - as lambing starts, a new generation of young farming grandchildren decides it's time to learn the ropes ...  This is the latest 'enchanting' portrait of a year in the life of a Cotswold sheep farmer from Amazon bestselling author Sue Andrews (If Clouds Were Sheep, Jumping Over Clouds) - perfect for anyone who enjoys a lively tale of the countryside *Praise for Sue Andrews*'Such enjoyable books, giving insight into the highs and lows of farming''Brilliant read and full of country humour''A superb read… this is a book that reflects life for sheep farmers and the love that the author feels for her sheep and family just shines through' About the Author: Sue Andrews is a journalist and sheep farmer. She has written for county magazines and the national equestrian and farming press. She and her husband Aubrey are established breeders of both Texel and Blue Texel sheep. Their close involvement with the work of both Breed Societies has taken them all over Europe. Their prize-winning Miserden Texel sheep have been successfully exhibited at major shows up and down the country. They have two children and they farm in Gloucestershire.

"As the sun rose over the brow of the hill and turned each blade of grass a shade of golden green, Ghillie slowly opened his eyes ..." Disaster! When Ghillie the giant redwood tree wakes after his winter sleep, he has a fright. His best friend Willow has fallen in a storm! Can Ghillie, Ember the squirrel and the badgers put her back together again? And what surprise of her own does Willow have in store? **Includes special reference section with arborist Joe Robson** A beautiful story about the secret life of trees for all ages

"I’ve had an amazing idea! / Original, brand new and fool-proof / Brilliant, illusory, single-solutionary / Unlike things previous / This is ingenious / Inspired, indeed revolutionary" Thoughtful and brilliantly funny, Valerie Darnley’s original collection becomes a self-portrait with the warmth and character of a diary in verse. An honest and enchantingly well-observed debut.

"Eyes like blue diamonds, a smile that captivates the heart Floating on the clouds I have no wings I am not a bird but I watch from a distance Listen can you hear it, the whisper of the wind Circling around me" My Very Tree is Beverley Gordon's brilliant and original debut poetry collection. Personal and full of the unexpected, this is a lively expression of identity and freedom.

"You see me at my worst, you see me at my bestI have been used, I have been abused I have been broken, I have been mended, I have been lied to.I have been called all sort of names I have been the cause of everything broken, so they claimWho am I?I am the one that catches you when you fall" Love has many layers. This heartfelt collection of original poetry explores the ups and downs of life's relationships. A beautiful study of the power of personal connection.

"A firm favourite" - Five stars"Such a charming story ... glorious" - Five stars "Writing birthday telegrams - the Queen's favourite time of day. Bringing joy to all who opened them, both near and far away ... " But wait! Oh no! Queen Liz has missed her oldest friend Nessie's birthday! A royal invitation to come to the palace is quickly sent - and the chef wants help choosing the menu. But what does a queen give a monster for tea? And what astonishing secret has Nessie been hiding all this time? A 'wonderful, heartwarming' tale of the day the Loch Ness Monster comes to tea at the palace and meets the Queen. WINNER of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023! **What the readers say** "Absolutely love the illustrations, they are beautiful and I can't believe how much the pictures look like the Queen" - Five stars"Astonishingly good" - Five stars"Such a fun read" - Five stars"Gorgeous story ... I adore this book" - Five stars

Ghosts and vampires, zombies and werewolves. A mirror with danger at its heart. A child is delighted to discover she is a witch, and a village disappears under a fairy curse. Then a selkie finds her way back to the waves, before a blood moon rises, bringing its own secrets ... Full of the spooky and the gothic, fairy tales and poetry, this is a brilliant and intriguing collection where nothing and no one is as they seem. Bringing together authors from across the UK: featuring Penny Ayers, Michael Bartlett, Patrick Booth, Amaris Chase, Holly Anne Crawford, Ivor Daniel, Amanda Jane Davies, Daphne Denley, J. J. Drover, Harriet Hitchen, Rebecca McDowall, Jane Phillips, Angela Reddaway, Joe Robson, Margaret Royall, with illustrations by Lorna Gray

"Fluffy was covered all over in thick, black fur and he was - well - fluffy ..."; Fluffy the cat likes the quiet life. Unfortunately, he has a lot of cousins and aunts and uncles who love to squabble and fight and sing. And he is never allowed indoors, even in winter. It is very ANNOYING!; After he gets lost in the snow, he discovers that he is very good at sneaking into houses at night. And some houses have a welcoming cat flap, a nice soft rug and a forgotten bowl of food ...; A funny and heartwarming true story about a stray cat in search of a home

"The garden that once was still haunts my dreams and no season will ever be the same again ... " When Ceri and her brothers move to Fern Cottage in the small North Wiltshire village of Little Somerford, they discover a place unchanged by modern life. The kitchen garden is a riot of fruit trees and vegetables, and the old farming family next door still works the land with horses. This is a community full of character, and slowly the life and beauty of Little Somerford steals into Ceri's heart ...A beautiful memoir full of the people and magic of Little Somerford in the 1950s and 60s

"My earliest recollection of Colkirk was, I think, the Diamond Jubilee of good Queen Victoria in 1897 ... " Alfred Absolon's memoir is a unique window into life in rural Norfolk before the Great War and a story full of his family's farming heritage. He grows up on his aunt's farm in the village of Colkirk. This is a place where folklore is as real as the seasons and the harvest is gathered by men and horses. The threshing machine is powered by a steam engine, and the village is home to traditional craftsmen who practice a fading way of life. This is an authentic and unforgettable first-person account of life in a Norfolk village at the turn of the century (1897-1929)

How do you build bridges if you've never admitted that they've been broken? "The work I do, the pressure of the job, has always been my protection..." Richard Kirkwood has a secret ... a secret he's kept buried beneath unrelenting work. Now his wife has followed a job to New York and a corporate scandal has put him on garden leave. He's got nowhere left to hide. So when Richard announces he's looking for Julie, a girl he last saw 40 years ago, everyone suspects he's still carrying a torch for his childhood sweetheart. But this search is so much more. The stunning, powerful new novel from Michael Bartlett

"Learning never stops. It still surprises me that I can discover new and effective ways to train" Gill Watson's lifelong dedication to training and mentoring young riders has taken her on a journey that has spanned decades. Many of today's most renowned British eventers began their international careers under Gill's watchful eye. Full of insight, humour and occasional spills, Gill has drawn together memories from over forty former pupils and colleagues. This is an extraordinary record of life as an international team coach, and a fascinating look at the skills and techniques which forge young talent into future stars. With guest contributors including Olympic Gold Medal winner Laura Collett and a foreword by Pippa Funnell.

"Writing birthday telegrams - the Queen's favourite time of day. Bringing joy to all who opened them, both near and far away ..." But wait! Oh no! Queen Liz has missed her oldest friend Nessie's birthday! A royal invitation to come to the palace is quickly sent - and the chef needs help choosing the menu. But what does a queen give a monster for tea? And what astonishing secret has Nessie been hiding all this time? This is a very royal story about the day the Loch Ness Monster met the Queen in a new chapter book edition for young readers. WINNER of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023

"Practically a feminist manifesto for women artists ... a love story about the hidden lives of artists and the urge to create ... Fabulously full of everything I didn't expect" -- as seen in COTSWOLD LIFE magazine I'm anonymous. Irrelevant next to the real presence - the paint on the canvas ...  The hidden life of an artist is told through the work they leave behind. But every painting holds its secrets.  And when your story has already been told in a painting by another's hand, sometimes it's easier to live with the myth than admit the truth ...  Exploring the work of Frida Kahlo, Laura Knight, Victorine Meurent and Suzanne Valadon, and inspired by the life of Pre-Raphaelite painter Joanna Boyce - this is an absorbing portrait of the hidden life of an artist, full of secrets and surprises.  How can she tell her story, when her secrets are being revealed for her by the artwork on a gallery wall, and art historians of the future will paint a very different picture? Praise for Harriet Hitchen: "An absorbing, modern retelling of artist Joanna Boyce. One of my favourites of the year so far" -- reader review "A book all students of art history should read" -- reader review "Definitely left its mark on me ... 5 stars" -- reader review

"I'm more important than everybody else," said Lily Alba. "I'm the Queen of the Pond ..."  Lily Alba is in for a surprise. A friendly nod from a heron has made her think she is the most important living thing in Dudley's pond.  But when she bans the frogs from singing and tips the dragonfly larvae off her lily pad, everyone begins to get worried. Queen Lily is making a mess of things!  Luckily, a brave bee steps in before life in the pond goes horribly wrong.  How does pond life work? Lily Alba has to find out ...  A beautiful story for all ages about the importance of biodiversity - the fabulous second book in the 'beautiful ... engaging and memorable' Dudley's Garden series which includes At the Bottom of Dudley's Garden and In the Middle of Dudley's Log Pile. WINNER of the Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023

Heroes and danger, comfort and claws. A black cat dreams of finding a new family, and a vampire is woken by a brush with ancient folklore. Then a cat tests just how far his nine lives run, before a stray moves in, and a kitten discovers a thirst for adventure ... Full of playfulness and wildness, this is a vibrant collection from eleven UK authors about the reality of being owned by a cat

Stars and planets, vast skies and new horizons. A distant future with secrets in its past. A house sitter intercepts a message from a lost craft, while a tree holds the key to an alien invasion. Then a curlew rises from a starlit reedbed, before a child dreams of the moon landings, and a robot uncovers a lie which may just change everything ... Full of mystery and adventure, true memories and poetry, this is a brilliant and far-ranging collection about our present and future relationship with space

"Memories like autumn leaves blow across my path, seeking refuge in their own dark space" Solitary, beautiful, lyrical - Julie Wiltshire weaves a tapestry of loss, grief and redemption in the Cotswold landscape. Original poetry in a stunning new collection

"I see the hut, its weathered state a focus for an artist's eye; worn and brown amid white-gold sand, a shape to break blue sea and sky ..." Cumbria, Spain, Devon and France - a beautiful poetry collection written on location. Hilda Cochrane sets out on a journey filled with humour and a magical sense of place.

Journey into the Otherlands ... Steven has a secret. The monsters in his dreams are real. Trolls live in the abandoned railway embankment, the Old Green Grumble hides in the allotments, and somewhere nearby lie the Otherlands. Who is the mysterious girl who calls the strange creatures her friends? What will happen when he visits their magical world? And what can Steven do when a dark spell threatens everything, and the monsters turn to him for help? A magical fantasy adventure full of friendship and fairy tales on the edge of Cirencester, perfect for readers aged 8 to 12, and grown-ups too. Now in a special edition for Summer 2024. WHAT THE READERS SAY: "A rich and fantastic inner world, populated with characters that wandered around with me for days ... Wonderful!" -- 5 stars "Steeped in local folklore & history & very much linked to nature. I loved it!" -- 5 stars "Magic and nostalgia woven into a great adventure tale ... a gorgeous adventure tale to be enjoyed by the whole family" -- 5 stars

"Who the hell are you?"  "They call me The Hunter and I've been hunting you, Mister Hoskins."  In a world where unscrupulous businessmen, rogues and thieves operate across borders and beyond the reach of the Law, the hope for justice lies with a brilliant former agent known only by a codename:  The Hunter.  When a job goes wrong and an international conspiracy threatens all our lives, the Hunter's team must move quickly.  There is a traitor at the heart of the British Government. And there is only one person who can stop him ...  Where do you turn when the Law catches flies but lets hornets go free? **Reader Reviews**'A real page turner! I loved this book, right from the off I was hooked.' - Five stars 'Give yourself a treat by opening the pages on this unusual but utterly compelling thriller' - Five stars 'Gripping from start to finish, once picked up, difficult to put down.' - Five stars'A book that must brighten the day for so many of us' - Five stars'Recommended to my Facebook book club ... It's left me wanting the next installment. I do hope the will be another!' - Five starsPraise for Michael Bartlett'Some of the best stories are quests ... This is a book to make everyone think twice about easy assumption' --Simon Brett, author

It is said that whenever evil stalks within these trees, a green figure will arise and ride to fight ... on the back of a huge grey wolf ...  The forest that surrounds Holly's home is vast and magical. Legend has it that in times of danger, it will rise up to defend itself.  But dark magic also stalks these woods.  When Holly saves her village from an attack by a brutal warlord, he unleashes an evil spell in revenge. As snow begins to fall, Holly sets out on a dangerous journey.  What will it take to find his castle? Will she be able to break the spell? And how can she save her family when she isn't a warrior from an old village story? She's an ordinary girl, and her only companion is a mouse ...  A spellbinding fantasy full of magic and nature, and the distant howl of wolves **Praise for G.D. Howard**‘Beautifully crafted captivating adventure’‘Enthralling ... delightful characters that make magic come to life’‘If you like magic and exploring the natural world you will love this book’‘An intriguing story, well told … The natural world of the setting, and the forest environment, are so well described that I felt immersed in it’ The first book in the captivating fantasy series for ages 9 to 13 - look out for THE GREEN WOLF RIDER ... RIDES AGAIN, coming autumn 2025