Ding Dong Merrily on high … As it grows ever nearer to Christmas the efforts of the CCA team continue unabated. Marion explained to Margaret at Frost Magazine that they are always on the lookout for opportunities that can be of help to the community at CCA, so they have contacted the Citizens Advice who have the use of an information vehicle named (SCABI) and are looking for locations within the Washington area. Hopefully, the CCA will be successful as a location.

It was a good start to the week in other ways too, especially when their neighbour, Jamie. dropped off a Sponge “Sharing Cake” forthe community centre; 14 slices of scrumptious delight. There is more news  though: due to a fantastic donation, we are now able to offer 6 free places for defibrillator training – date confirmed as Thursday 15^th December.

Kam

Kam the CCA’s Polish friend called to collect the cheque for money raised for the Ukrainian appeal and they discussed the importance of ongoing support. Winter is here and these people need help more than ever.

Fancy a sit down?  Look no further.

‘Massive thanks to Trish Berstein for the Parker Knoll armchair,‘ said Marion,  ‘Which is now happily living in the ‘Warm Spaces comfy room, and thanks too, to Lynn Walmsley and Sheila Parker for the wool they donated for hats for the seafarers, and Allison Chapman for the tins of Chocolates, which I promise I have not eaten. So thrilled, what a brilliant day.’ says Marion, adding ‘The big boss from Equans , Brian Spackman, paid us a visit and by sheer chance Stu rang from his sick bed. I was able to wish him well, for his operation, and sent love from us all.’  Include Frost Magazine in that, Marion.

The CCA enjoyed a visit from the “Washington Way” owner/editor Zoe Burn and Harry Chalmers, who delighted everyone with a lemon cake he baked. Marion said,  ‘Would have been rude not to tuck in to it, wouldn’t it Margaret, and thanks for the scarf you knitted for Miss Polly.’

‘Oh dear me, rather big.  Silence prevails,’ say Margaret

(Margaret doesn’t like to admit scarves are all she can do, except for a few fishermen’s hats, because armholes stump her.)

As the week progressed there was more  good news at the CCA. They received an email from the surveyor, the lovely Richard. At long last CCA have lift off. Contractors plan to start work on the exterior of the building on their return to work after Christmas.

The team welcomed the visit from the prospective Sunday church group “Redeemed Christian Church of God”” who are looking for premises to hold their weekly church services. They were such fun, and good to see Lee, the CCA’s favourite joiner who finished off the window sills. The team feel he is part of their family now. As Marion said, ‘Brady Square have adopted him as one of their own.’

The CCA’s “Warm Spaces” days have been very popular this week, and the team just love welcoming the community into the centre, and having a good chin wag makes it perfect.

Everyone was very thankful to Beth Roddy Jones who popped in with a bag full of sausage sandwiches, which their guests enjoyed, the only downfall was, according to Marion, that there was too much cake to consume and as she so often says, it would have been so rude to refuse. ‘Undoubtedly, ‘ agreed Frost Magazine. ‘So, what about us?’

The council maintenance did their bit and gritted the entire car park making it safe for the centre’s “Warm Spaces” users. As we all know, there is more frost and ice on the way so it’s good to be prepared. Birthday party, Council ward meeting, Didddidancers and Wargamers were all in over the weekend and everyone can rest assured all H & S procedure have been adhered to,

The Community here at Brady Square would like to thank our boys in Qatar and let’s all remember – there will be a next time.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Just recently, Frost featured Grace Company Crafts – a Dnipro-based dance dress company who have remained extremely competitive despite operating throughout the war in Ukraine.

Having learned what another company, KACHOROVSKA are achieving I am simply staggered at the raw ‘Can Do, Will Do’ determination of these Ukranian companies – they are an inspiration and example to us all.

KACHOROVSKA, based in Kyiv, is a three-generations of women-owned company – initially launched during the cold war, it has been designing and making shoes since 1957 and, more recently, other accessories such as bags and clothes too. It ships around the world in addition to the home market and their shoes are frequently worn by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

Incredibly, despite frequently having no electricity, no internet and no water, this iconic footwear brand KACHOROVSKA have been developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for its newest shoe campaign called ‘We Speak Shoes’.

 Alina Kachorovska, the brands creative director, and granddaughter of the founder, has always looked to the future and continues to push boundaries to delivering new innovative styles. She tells us that marrying fashion with AI technology in this way is setting an example for the whole fashion industry, and not even working in a war zone will quell her passion for innovation it seems.

To develop the AI, they created a mood board for each pair of shoes and visually matched the fashion style. Then using AI techniques, going back and forward, they generated the needed image style precisely. This process was repeated many times, adjusting the algorithm until the basis was no longer a mood board but an interpretation itself in the form of fractal reimagining.

Alina Kachorovska’s focus is on fit, and from measuring more than 40,000 clients’ feet the company have an expert understanding of the anatomy and structural unity needed to deliver customers a perfect match of style and comfort.

The brand focuses on high quality craftsmanship, environmental sustainability, a fair price, diversity, and an inspiring work environment for its 150 employees. Alina aspires to have the shoes worn by shoe lovers and fashionistas of all races, ages, and genders worldwide. As a proud mother of three children she is dedicated to her family and her Ukrainian roots.

I thoroughly recommend checking out the KACHOROVSKA website or Instagram – and don’t forget, there is currently no import tax on deliveries from Ukraine – so go treat yourself.

Images:  owned by Kiko Gaspar Communications.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

I’m always on the look out for yummy ways to spice up my food, and so I was excited to try Firelli Hot Sauces, which are hand-crafted in Parma, Italy from natural ingredients – is your mouth watering? Mine certainly was.

Well I wasn’t disappointed. I started with the original Firelli Hot Sauce. It was delicious. The slight sweetness of the roasted red peppers balanced the Calabrian hot chillis, and the porcini mushrooms, balsamic vinegar and natural herbs, spices and sea salt melded to provide fabulous complex flavours. It was spicy but didn’t blow my head off (Scoville rating of between 1,000 – 2,000 for chilli aficionados). It really tasted like something Nonna might have made.

Feeling brave I progressed to the Firelli Extra Hot Sauce which has the addition of Cayenne Peppers. Wow. This sauce definitely packed a punch (Scoville Score of 4,375) but still had the lovely fullness of the other ingredients and the slight sweetness to balance the heat – I loved it.

I gave my taste buds a little break before trying their newest sauce, which had been intriguing me – Firelli Truffle Hot Sauce. This has just been released for Christmas and what a fabulous combination of hot sauce with the distinctive flavour of black truffle – how luxurious? And it works so well – a little kick from the hot spices, balanced with earthiness and umami – quite unique and leaves you wanting more. Definitely my favourite.

Not only do this trio of amazing Italian hot sauces taste fabulous, but guess what, they’re healthy too – made with natural ingredients, they’re all low calorie, gluten free and vegan.

You can buy them individually or as gift sets which make a lovely Christmas present. They’re available on : Amazon, Hot-Headz and on the Firelli website – where you can find recipes too.

The Original and Extra Hot Sauces are both RRP £3.95 for 148ml, the Truffle Hot sauce is RRP £5.99 and the Firelli Trio Gift Set RRP: £15.99.

Buon Appetito.

You can follow Firelli on Instagram: @firelli, Twitter: @FirelliHotSauce and Facebook: @Firellihotsauce

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

As always Marion Taylor has been relaying news from CCA to Margaret at Frost Magazine, and started by mentioning a fantastic donation of 150 DVD’s  from Mick,  quite a lot of them still in their wrapping. The problem is, of course, will Marion ever come out of the office from which will issue sounds of car chases, and all else. Be alert, everyone. Press the stop button.

Julie Milne did the Monday Equans meeting and a second large box of toiletries was packed up and ready to go to Washington Youth Council for the Wearside Women in Need Christmas Appeal. Yet again evidence of the kindness of the  community who clearly never fail to rally round. The cut off point for donations is the 16^th December, still a while to go. The CCA have requested more boxes from Equans as they hope to fill several more for this worthwhile cause.

More hats have arrived courtesy of Plain n Purl. Hazel McCaine,you are a star. Sister Mary collected the hats on her visit to CCA. She came bearing gifts for all, she truly is an earth Angel  Marion tells me.

The CCA team were really pleased to host a special coffee morning for the staff to promote employment at Azure Care. Lovely people who do an amazing job. Anyone who would like the opportunity to work alongside these wonderful people can contact Ruth or Joanne at ruth.pope@azure-charitable.co.uk as there are jobs available and they would love to hear from you.

Though there has not been a lot of ‘hands on’ progress with the refurb this week  there  were loads  of discussions taking place. For instance, electrical work is scheduled to commence 12^th December. Richard, CCA’s surveyor, has a meeting with the Contractors on Monday so fingers crossed they will soon have a start date for the external work. In addition; the CCA have had conversations in relation to Solar Panels being installed.

‘Whoop whoop,’ said Marion. ‘We now have the Archaeology report on our Air Raid shelter which is interesting reading. This will be  passed on to Ged Parker at Washington History Society.’

The roofers arrived to fix the problem the CCA have had with poor fitting flashing on the roof; (fingers crossed they have at last solved the problem).

SCC phoned to say the CCA Emergency light check was due and they would call Wednesday morning. ‘Oops,’  Marion told us, ‘it was done in August, someone had their dates mixed. Up to date records are a real asset. The chap had a cup of coffee to warm him up, and went on his way smiling.’

Dianne, chair of the committee, has emailed SCC to see if there is a possibility that the CCA can have an EV charging point at the community centre as they have off street parking and feel there is a need for a payable point in Columbia.

Shake that Boogey (with Red Shoes Bob,) certainly livened the centre up with their music, Claire brought a lovely rug for the Warm Spaces room, it has pride of place in front of the  new dresser.

Massive thanks from everyone to Yvonne Walsh for her amazing cash donation to CCA, along with gift boxed books for our Diddi dancers Christmas parties Santa sack.

The forever young Bingo ladies came and  all enjoyed the chocolate cake courtesy of Linda. ‘Margaret you would have loved it.’ Marion said. Well yes, a favourite of mine, rub it in, Marion, why don’t you!

Finally, the Committee at CCA, and all at Frost Magazine, are are all thinking of Stu and hoping you are soon back,  bright eyed and bushy tailed, all geared up, paint brush in hand, ‘There is work to be done Sir.’  So said, (You guessed it,) our  Marion.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

As Joffe Books announce their book of the week, they tell us they are  over the moon to bring you the Joffe Books Prize-winning novel THE RAVEN’S MARK by Christie J. Newport. Don’t miss this award winning debut crime thriller with an incredible twist — out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

Meet Beth Fellows, a Preston detective haunted by her mum’s murder when she was only four. Now Beth faces the biggest case of her career: Rose Danes’s throat was cut, her body discarded in a council estate. Seared into the teenage girl’s skin is the image of a raven.

Six years ago, another girl was attacked. The victim survived but now languishes in a coma. She also had a raven burned onto her body. Beth must break all the rules to stop any more girls from suffering. But will her everything be enough to stop a sick murderer

Gripping and unexpected.’ Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

‘Taut, pacy and gritty story that kept me guessing the whole way through.’ Philippa East, author of Little White Lies and I’ll Never Tell

*Please note that launch prices are available for a limited time only. Please check all price offers are live and available in your location before purchasing.
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAVEN’S MARK BY CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT FOR £0.99 | $0.99.

ANGEL AND THE NUN  by Roger Silverwood £0.99/$0.99

DETECTIVE MICHAEL ANGEL IS BACK IN A BRAND-NEW MYSTERY  It’s a cold foggy night on the Yorkshire moors when a priest is discovered dead. With just five nuns living in the convent and no sign of a break-in, Detective Inspector Angel assumes this will be a straightforward case.  Can Angel catch the killer nun before any more innocent lives are lost? Or has he finally met his match

GIRL WITH SECRETS by Carol Rivers  £0.99/$0.99

A wartime saga by a SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

1938. After her father makes an ill-advised investment, nine-year-old Daisy is swept from the country into crowded London. While her family try to settle, whispers about war grow louder. With schools closed, Daisy listens to conversations around her and learns that adults, as well as children, have secrets.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Emma Bennet £0.99/$0.99

Come along, let’s get swept away to  to Barcelona in this heartwarming feel-good cozy romance.  Iris is falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter. He broke her heart once. Iris must learn to trust all over again if she has any chance of happiness.  Well worth a reach. Cozy anything warms my heart

NEWS

CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT, WINNER OF THE 2021 JOFFE BOOKS PRIZE FOR THE RAVEN’S MARK, ON HER WRITING JOURNEY

With  The Raven’s Mark, I wanted to write an instantly captivating story from a detective’s perspective. Not least because I had always wanted to be a detective, but never had the good health to follow that path. Being a detective and being an author are the two careers that have always called to me. I have written since I was a child, making up stories as a form of escapism, creativity, and exploration.

The Raven’s Mark allowed me to indulge in all of that by escaping into the world of Detective Beth Fellows and her team.

As I wrote The Raven’s Mark, the characters jumped free of the page and began dictating how the story should develop. Of course, at times I needed to steer them and realign the story, but they followed their own paths. Sometimes, I feel that my books hit a point when the characters begin to take over. There is no better feeling for me, because when that happens, I know I am onto something.

I wanted to write Beth as a strong mixed-race detective who is also a gay woman. It was important to me that she be very diverse and to have her navigate her professional world with poise and confidence. I also intended to give her an equally diverse team that reflects society.

I submitted The Raven’s Mark to the Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour and thought no more about it.

Then one day I received a call while out in the car with my wife. At first I thought it was a cold caller, but then Emma Grundy Haigh introduced herself as the Editorial Director at Joffe Books, and something clicked . . .

I asked if I could phone from the next service station. It was the longest fifteen miles we had ever driven. I called back and Emma told me that I had won the competition! What a feeling that was! Not only had I won, but Dorothy Koomson had chosen my book. The judges — Emma, CEO Jasper Joffe, agent Susan Yearwood and of course Dorothy Koomson — had unanimously chosen me.

When we finished driving was I able to tell my parents and sister that I had just won the Joffe Books Prize and a two-book deal. There were hugs, congratulations, whooping and some tears. After many years of being in and out of hospital and intensive care, it was incredibly special to deliver such great news for a change.

Then Emma called out of the blue to tell me that Audible would be supporting the Joffe Books Prize with a £25,000 audiobook offer and that I would be the first beneficiary. I was in utter shock, and my wife Amy almost passed out.

Now my book is going out into the world. When I first flicked through a physical copy an overwhelming feeling rose in my chest — inside were my words, my story. I had written a book and it was in my hands and soon it will be in the hands of readers.

I can’t begin to explain what that means to me, and I am so very grateful to be where I am today.

I hope the raven flies and I hope you all enjoy the ride just as much as I have.

CLICK  TO BUY THE RAVEN’S MARK BY CHRISTIE J. NEWPORT FOR £0.99|$0.99 .

More information on the books available here

Severodonetsk early March 22 taken by Artem

Regular readers know that I’m a keen ballroom and latin dancer. With the Blackpool Grand Finals careering towards me far too fast and, it seemed, the whole world getting a new dance frock, I decided far too late that I needed one too. After much research I approached Grace Company Crafts – a well-established dance dress company, based in Ukraine.

Grace Company Crafts were like a dream. A brother and sister team – Artem and Marina, nothing was too much trouble. Under Marina’s instruction, I sent detailed measurements, and within just a few weeks they had made and shipped to me a fabulous plain black dance dress – perfect fit – all ready for me to add oodles of crystals ready for the competition. It all seemed so effortless, and it was … for me. All I had to do now was to imagine myself gliding across the dance floor beneath the lights in the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool.

But hang on, what about Artem and Marina? How is it for them, living and working as they are in a war-torn country ravaged by missile strikes, though Artem had made no mention of difficulties? Concerned, I asked the question and for a moment the imagined lights of the ballroom dimmed as I heard a little of the extreme difficulties they had to overcome in order to continue their business. Though not just them, this must apply to so many other Ukrainians in various walks of life.

It is indeed a credit to the professionalism and resilience of Artem and Marina and their amazing employees, that I had to ask the question, because I really had no indication of the reality of the extreme difficulties and the resourcefulness required just to get that dress to me. This is a little of their story, told to me by Artem.

Artem and Marina lived and worked in Severodonetsk prior to the war. They ran a successful business making dance costumes – ballroom, latin, Argentine tango and more, with operations throughout Ukraine.

Severodonetsk is just 100km from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, occupied by Russia since 2014, and was itself invaded and occupied by Russian troops earlier this year – you may remember seeing the city name in the news at the time, as Ukranian forces battled so hard to save it. These photos, taken by Artem just before he left, say more than any words could. He tells me that now the city is almost completely destroyed – there’s no electricity, gas and water and many civilians have been killed:

                            A                                                                  B

A. ‘The basement of a residential builiding where 100 were hiding. This is my ‘room’, however I couldn’t stand it because of the rats and smell.    B. Many died in their own gardens trying to heat their food.  (words and images by Artem)

In March they fled their home. I leave it to Artem to describe then, and now. :

‘When I was in the city in March, dead people were buried in the courtyards of houses, because it was impossible to leave and bury people outside the city due to constant shelling. In a few months, a new cemetery appeared in the city centre, there were about 800 graves.

‘We left the city on March 13 under regular mortar shelling. Nearly all of our old team is gone. Only the accountant remains, my sister Marina, who helps me with clients, and the purchasing manager. We are all in different regions of Ukraine now. The accountant is in Zaporozhye, Marina is with Mom, Dad and her son in the Sumy region – about 600 km from me. I’m in Dnipro, where I control the production facility, and there are some employees in Kyiv who help deliver the goods.

‘There are constant interruptions of the internet and electricity in Dnipro. Therefore, we’ve created jobs for several people in different parts of the city. This helps when the lights are turned off. When there is no light on the outskirts, it may be on in the centre so people can work there. Some work in apartments when they have electricity. The guys in Kyiv receive all the parcels with orders from Dnipro. Postal services in Ukraine don’t work now, so they have to take them by car to Poland* and from there send them to the US or Europe. Vika is our purchasing manager in Cherkasy. She was also from Severodonetsk, but can work remotely. My former seamstresses, designers and cutters now work in different companies all over Ukraine. Some make military uniforms, others make winter clothes.

‘Two apartments and a house remain in Severodonetsk. The house has been completely looted. Now we live in rented apartments. But in general, we are better off than others. Not everyone had the money to leave the city and some remained. My cousin Kostya remained in Severodonetsk, because he decided to stay to look after his house and his mother (my Godmother). Kostya worked as a courier for my company. Also, our storekeeper, who has an old sick mother, remained in Severodonetsk. She used to check the quality of sewn products and packing orders.

‘The last time I spoke with the people who remained in Severodonetsk was in the summer, when communication was still possible through Ukrainian mobile operators. Now we receive news once a month from friends who sometimes visit the city. I’ll keep in touch with my old team. They, like me, lost their homes and left for different regions of the world. However, almost everyone plans to return to their hometown. I’m going to restore production and my old team after the end of the war.’

*[editor’s note: They make a 1200 km (16 hours) round trip from Kyiv to Polish border to post the orders]

And there you have it, the story behind the unbroken service from Artem – and just how is all this summarised on their website might you ask? Simply ‘We moved our production to another region of Ukraine.’

These brave and uncomplaining people need and deserve our continuing support. To quote the slogan on Ukranian dancers’ tops at the recent International Dance Championships at the Royal Albert Hall, ‘The War In Ukraine Is Not Over’.

So what can you do to help? Can I suggest three things?

1. You can donate via this Etsy link: Pray For Ukraine Artem will make sure funds go to where they are needed. If you wish to give another amount please message him via Etsy:

2. If you are a dancer or just want a lovely tailor-made dress, trousers, skirt or top – check out their Etsy page or website. They will make to any measurements (I am certainly not a size zero and I’ve been delighted with their tailoring), they will also amend colours, sleeve lengths, skirt lengths or anything else. (Note: At President Zelenskyy’s request Boris Johnson suspended tax on imports from Ukraine – meaning purchases from Ukranian companies are particularly good value).

3. Please share this story on your social media accounts so we can reach as many people as possible

To finish on a happier note, I won Blackpool in this lovely dress from Grace Company Crafts, and the accompanying picture is the fabulous ballroom skirt they’ve just made for me.

So please – Pray For Ukraine.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

But before we get to the Christmas tree, just stand back and cheer, because:

The unstoppable CCA team had a positive meeting with the surveyor, and after many lengthy debates and negotiations with Sunderland City Council in relation to public concerns about the demolition of the Air Raid shelter, it has finally been agreed that the Air Raid shelter remains in place and the plans to demolish it will now be withdrawn. Hurrah Hurrah.

Margaret gathers that Red Shoes Bob had a bit of a do getting into position to take the photo – the shrubs bit back. He is scratched, so Frost Magazine is grateful for his efforts and will leave it to Marion to slap salve upon the afflicted parts.

As Marion says, ‘This shelter is part of our heritage, although some work needs to be carried out to the structure to make it watertight, preventing damp seeping into the main building. We knew though we had to fight to save it from demolition. (Girl Power and Brady Blood got us through) Our surveyor is returning on Friday to take some structural measurements.’

‘What a week, ‘ Marion continued, ‘Out and about meeting people, introducing ourselves, inviting people to pop in to our CCA and promoting Frost Magazine, a bit of name dropping works every time (I bet your ears were burning Margaret).’ ‘Well, actually… ‘ said Margaret.

It seems the CCA have a new friend, Michael, whose kindness leaves the team enormously grateful as they took delivery of a dresser (delivered with loving care by Emmaus North East), £10 plus £7 delivery which should have been £10 but they received a rebate)

On Monday Equans had their weekly meeting as usual and Denise from VSA came for a catch up, Richard the surveyor also called to discuss the Refurb, so Frost Magazine bets the kettle was on the boil for most of the day.

CCA has had some info regarding the electrical work to be carried out, so fingers crossed there will be some progress very soon.

John from 999 Fire and Safety came to do the yearly Fire Extinguisher check.

Davey from Equans called in to tell CCA that they are going to decorate the office, and the relief and gratitude was obvious (see picture above). Marion really does feel that these people are totally amazing, when she considers what they do for the Community Centre. ‘It’s beyond belief, it is like having our very own Fairy Godmother. Date to be confirmed but it is all so exciting. The team promised to pop in to our coffee morning later on in the week.’

On Tuesday, the CCA had its drains cleaned, however the assistance of a plumber was needed as flora in the guttering causing some blockage. This was soon sorted out by Anthony and all was well.

There were more hats donated courtesy of Plain and Purl dropped off by Belle Cummings, and collected Thursday morning by Andy Hayes. They are now on their way to Sister Mary with sincere thanks from the CCA to all involved.

Now we come to the Christmas bit. Beth from Equans had arranged to come on Friday to help decorate the Christmas tree. Given that the tree is 7′ this could have been a bit of a do. However the man with the red shoes put the tree up ready for decoration which took 2 hours even though the branches are colour coded. (says Marion – leave me out of it) There she stands in her majestic splendour.

The ‘ last Friday of the month coffee morning’ took place, 10.30am till whenever. OK, it’s supposed to be 12 noon but when they get chatting, usually putting the world to rights, they fail to watch the clock. Well, who does, when you are having fun? Bob, the Barista as the ladies call him ensured cups were always replenished and he apparently never ceases to amaze everyone with his multitasking exploits. They had the most fantastic time, Allison Williams, ASDA Community Champion came along with a beautiful hamper, which we raffled, Linda our lovely cake maker was the lucky winner.

To finish off, another £100 was raised for the Ukrainian appeal. All in all a fabulous week was had by one and all at CCA.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Let’s start with the Book of the Week, always a good ‘un. This week Joffe offers a brand-new, page turning crime thriller from bestselling author Charlie Gallagher LAST ONE ALIVE which  is out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

Daisy-Mae is now sure she’s awake. It’s not the cutting breeze or the musty smell that has her convinced, it’s the pain. You can’t dream pain. She is being held down, something tight over her arms, her chest too. Time is running out. Detective Maddie Ives is her only chance to get out alive. 

CLICK HERE TO BUY LAST ONE ALIVE BY CHARLIE GALLAGHER FOR £0.99 | $0.99.

DETECTIVES LENNOX & WILDE: BY HELEN DURRANT: GET TWO BESTSELLING MANCHESTER-SET CRIME MYSTERIES FOR £0.99 | $0.99 – a smashing deal. 

Meet detectives Harry Lennox and Jess Wilde in this great-value box set of two page-turning mysteries full of twists from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant.  Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Kimberley Chambers, Damien Boyd, Rachel Abbott or Mark Billingham

A FALSE PRETENCE BY VERONIC HELEN £0.99 | $0.99

A DELICIOUSLY QUIRKY COZY MURDER MYSTERY.  Bea’s assistant’s ex, Zander, believes he’s to blame for the death of his boss. When he asks Bea for help, she can’t turn him away. When bodies begin to pile up, Zander is the police’s first suspect in more than one murder . . .  Will Bea and her gang of misfits be able to uncover the deadly pretences in time?  I rather feel they will. Goiod fun all the way. 

DEATH’S BRIGHT DART BY V.C. CLINTON-BADDELEY £0.99/$0.99

LET’S MEET Dr R.V. Davie, an opera-loving, puzzle-solving amateur sleuth, in a series of classic crime mysteries set in Cambridge by acclaimed author V.C. Clinton-Baddeley. This launches Joffe’s  brand-new list of crime classics, originally published by Ostara Publishing — read on to the end of this newsletter to find out more – get books 1-4 in the cambridge classic murder mysteries series for £0.99/$0.99 each, and while on the subject of Ostara Publishing:

Interesting news: 2022, Joffe Books acquired Ostara Publishing, hurrah, says Frost Magazine. Ostara Publishing is an independent publisher whose remit is to rediscover and republish quality crime writing for new readers.  Under consultant editor, Mike Ripley, an award-winning crime writer and former crime fiction critic for the Daily Telegraph, Ostara acquired a well-deserved reputation for the superlative quality of its crime list: from Golden Age mysteries of the 1920s, to classic spy thrillers from the 1960s, to delightful 21^st century cozies, Ostara has breathed new life into a range of fantastic books which must not – heavens no,  be forgotten. 

With Joffe Books’ digital expertise, they are looking forward to introducing a new generation of readers to tmany new and fabulous books, which is great good news. Hurrah again.

JOFFE’S INDIE AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT this week is on  internationally bestselling author Mel Sherratt

Mel writes police procedurals, psychological suspense and crime dramas — fiction with a punch. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer’s Association) Dagger in The Library Award, her inspiration comes from authors such as Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Lisa Jewell, Mandasue Heller and Clare Mackintosh.

To date, she has sold two million books. All of her crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the Kindle UK top 20, and several reaching number one. Mel has also had numerous Kindle All-Star awards, for best read author and best titles. She lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with her husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of her hometown as a backdrop for some of her books.

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Mel tells us more about herself and her work.

Do you prefer writing police procedurals or psychological thrillers?

A: Hmm, that’s a difficult question to answer as I find all my books to a certain element are psychological thrillers. There is usually a ‘whydunnit’ instead of a whodunnit in my books. I like to get into the minds of my killers, so that as a reader, you may feel you understand why a killer did what he or she did, mostly because of their past.

Crime thrillers in general are an everyman/everywoman genre — they feature regular people in circumstances we all dread. They confront our deepest fears — murders, serial killers, errant or abusive spouses, lost children, etc. They are gripping and thrilling but also contain mysteries that readers love to figure out. We all analyse the people around us and readers can draw on their experience and gut instinct, not just to work out the mystery, but whether or not to trust the main character.

Q: What author, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?

A: I’m very lucky that over the years I’ve been writing, since 2012, I have been to many crime festivals in the UK and met most of my favourite authors. I actually can’t believe how many, and often get starstruck when I talk to them.

But there is someone I keep missing and that’s Lisa Jewell. Whenever I’m on a panel at an event, she will be on one the next day, and vice versa. It’s very frustrating.  So I would love to have dinner with her, and a good natter about her books as I’ve read every one since she started out writing women’s fiction, and now she writes amazing dark psychological thrillers.

Q: What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for a book?

A: Over the years, I’ve not researched so many strange things, as my stories are mostly about social issues, but I do have a fascination in twins. For my book Ten Days, I learned about twinless twins — either a twin dying at birth or later in life and how it affects the surviving twin. It was fascinating to read about how some  feel a part of them is gone; others felt as though the twin was still with them.

Also, the DNA around twins is fascinating, in how identical twins do have differences. Of course, I can’t go any further as that would spoil a plot in one of my books . . .

Q: Who would you want to play your main characters in a film/TV adaptation — any why?

A: I have a few series written but for my main one about Allie Shenton, who starts out as a detective sergeant and then a detective inspector, it would be actress Rachel Shenton, star of All Creatures Great and Small. I’ve met her several times now, as she is local to me, and I remember chatting to her about Allie, and Rachel said that she could see herself running around the streets of Stoke-on-Trent as a cop.

Incidentally, I can’t believe Allie Shenton and Rachel share the same surname — surely a twist of fate . . .

Q: What are you currently reading and watching?

A: I have just finished the second book of the Detective Joanna Piercy Murder Mysteries by Priscilla Masters. As an author who writes about, and lives in Stoke-on-Trent, although it makes me smile to see local readers recognising places in my city, it was only when reading Priscilla’s books that I actually got to experience it for myself. In Burnt on the Moors, I found myself thinking, ‘I’ve visited The Roaches’, ‘I know where the village of Flash is,’ ‘I’ve been to the Winking Man pub’, with a smile on my face as I read on.

I enjoy the books because they are set in the 1990s, so most of it is good old-fashioned policing, with all the bias and stereotypes of the police force during those years.

I’ve just finished watching Gangs of London. I watched series one as soon as it came out, so as it was a while ago, I rewatched it and then watched series two. It was phenomenal. I have to admit to looking away at the levels of violence, but I love that the story is really about families at the heart of it. I felt like each episode was like a separate movie and I just wanted more.

I’m now four episodes into The Devil’s Hour and am loving it for its creepy vibes!

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