A NEW book telling the story of a Victorian Childhood in Lymm has been written by local resident Alan Williams – assisted by local illustrator Helen Weston – with proceeds from sales going towards a new heritage centre planned for the village.
Until recently, Alan , who volunteers at Statham Community Primary School and Helen, who is part of the team at the Little Foxes after-school club next door were on no more than nodding terms at the end of a busy afternoon at Statham School.
But when Alan had the idea of writing a children’s book and set about looking for a suitable illustrator he soon discovered that Helen has another facet to her career. Helen, who is regularly in demand for her art work has a first class honours degree specialising in illustration.
She took away a draft of the story and was immediately enthusiastic. “ It’s a touching tale that I think both children and adults will really enjoy – especially at Christmas.” said Helen “ Even as I was first reading it I could see the possibilities of how I would like to enhance the story with illustrations.”
Alan explained, “Ever since moving to Lymm I have been interested in the lives of the hundreds, even thousands of people who worked in the fustian cutting industry in the village– particularly during the Victorian period. I had read the stories described in the History Society’s leaflets but also a fascinating 1863 Government Commission report containing dozens of interviews with people in Lymm.
“At that time there were over a hundred children in the village under the age of thirteen working twelve hours a day or more in this demanding trade. I started with the idea of a factual account but in the end decided that it would be more interesting to tell the wider story of a nine year old growing up in Lymm at that time. I am delighted at how Helen has evoked that period with her illustrations in a style that will also appeal to children today.”
Hannah and the Ruby Glass , set loosely in Lymm in the 1870’s, tells of a young girl’s adventures over two days leading up to Christmas as the adults around her try to decide for her what her future will be. Throughout the story she is fascinated by a ruby red glass bearing a mysterious message which she sees in a village shop window. In the best tradition of mysteries it is eventually solved.
It promises to be a popular local Christmas present for those who like to give gifts with a local twist.
The book will be on sale at Laura’s Choice and Nancy’s Deli in Lymm, Waterstones in Warrington and Abacus Books in Altrincham; also on Amazon from December 5. Signed copies will be available at the former Royal British Legion next to Saddlers as part of the Heritage Centre Exhibit on Dickensian Day- Dec 12th or contact Alan on 01925-754080 or via the Heritage Centre website www.lymmhic.co.uk.
The book is priced at just £5.99 with £2 from every copy of the first edition of 250 going toward Heritage Centre funds.
