Midlands author Shirley Thompson, known for her biographies of several of the region’s best known characters, launched her latest book, 65 Brunswick Road, recently at W.H. Smith in Solihull.
Introducing - 65 Brunswick - The Musical -
When Tom Shelby, Steve Knight’s principal character in The Peaky Blinders, first rode onto our television screen, viewers were presented with a battlescarred, but still relatively young veteran, from the Great War.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring, real-life streets of Balsall Heath/Sparkhill, the
Wareing family of eight children (and a musically-gifted mother, Lilian) struggled to
cope with their invalid father’s return to 65 Brunswick Road, fresh from the hell-hole
of Gallipoli. Harry Senior, the author’s grandfather, having contracted meningitis,
returned home as a self-centred, ruthless stranger.
With a Good Old Days MC introduction, by Comedian, Entertainer and Papal Knight,
Don Maclean, it features 12 of the author’s newly composed songs.
Add a diverse range of characters, plus shades of Oliver Twist, and we have an
exciting new musical – just ripe for performance!
- Meet the Author Day Event -
65 BRUNSWICK ROAD is a broadly based, extensively researched, personal Family Saga, by the author Shirley Thompson (nee Wareing). Centred on the Balsall Heath area, but also encompassing Worcester, other areas of the UK, and Ireland, it relates the stories of five families, from the 18th Century to the present day. Full of highs and lows: heart-warming, tragic and frequently dramatic, plus surprising connections! With a Foreword by Comedian, Entertainer and Papal Knight, Don Maclean, this story is presented in a unique format. An extensive, highly original collection of photographs and documents accompanies the text. Other contributors include a diverse range of entrepreneurs, family members, internationally acclaimed writer, Helen McCabe and a cross-section of former Balsall Heath Residents … a story not to be missed!
Some launch photos.
Available now! 244 pages. PRICE: £15.95. ISBN: 978-1-85858-577-2
AGAINST ALL ODDS – The Carlson House Legacy by David Barnsley and Shirley Thompson.The majority of us probably take for granted, our physical well-being and our ability to cope with life in general. But take a moment to consider … What if we had to spend the majority of our life in a wheelchair, largely dependent on help from others? At 76 years of age David, assisted by his Biographer, Shirley Thompson, recalls the 'ups and downs' of life as a paraplegic, with the humour and intelligence that have enabled him to cope with all manner of daunting situations! At the end of World War II philanthropist Paul Cadbury helped to establish a pioneering centre of excellence for disabled children, in Harborne, Birmingham, which became known as Carlson House School. With a Foreword by Paul Cadbury's grand-daughter, this is a broadly-based book; friends and Health Care Professionals also provide thought-provoking insights, not only into David's life, but Disability in general. Proposed publication date May 2018.
Shirley, a former teacher, describes herself as a chameleon writer who has produced everything from biographies to fiction, poetry and children’s books.
Her novels have been created later in her writing career and she says producing fiction has been the fulfilment of a long-held dream. Shirley’s first novel, an erotic love triangle called Adrift in Paradise was produced in 2009. She has also co-written a children’s book The Power of the Pendant with ten-year-old Cerys Stansfield.
“I feel writing so much non-fiction has helped to make me a better novelist,” said Shirley, from Solihull. “Writing my latest novel with Caroline in America has been a fantastic experience. There have been many emails and Transatlantic phone calls until we were both happy with the book.”
In earlier works, Shirley has revealed the hidden lives of well-known Birmingham characters such as wrestler turned actor Pat Roach, nightclub king Eddie Fewtrell and Irish-born businessman Seamus Dunleavy. Her books on Fewtrell, Dunleavy and The Power of the Pendant, all made it to the top of Borders and Waterstone’s local best seller lists. All her works, to date, have been published by Brewin Books, based in Studley.
Three Launches for Kash Gill’s new biography, My Life in a Flash (ISBN 978-1-85858-499-7), have now taken place.
The first of these was at Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street Solihull, on Saturday 6th October 2012. There was a special parade to begin the proceedings and the Launch/Signing was opened by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Solihull. The Birmingham Launch at W.H. Smith’s Bookstore, Birmingham City Centre on Saturday 20th October 2012 was attended by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham and was a great success. A third Launch took place at Handsworth Library on Saturday 3rd November 2012.
Launch photos can be seen on the Biographies page.
Book signings at The Brewin Father’s Day Event, Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, 20th and 21st June 2015, Waterstone’s Bookshop, High Street, Solihull, Saturday 25th June, and Waterstone’s, New Street, Birmingham City Centre, Saturday 9th July 2011
Details of all Shirley’s books, inlcuding her latest books Unlocking The Gates, The Power of the Pendant and Adrift in Paradise, can be found on the following pages. Signed copies of all Shirley’s books are available.
To arrange a talk for your club or society about Pat Roach, Alton Douglas, Seamus Dunleavy or Eddie Fewtrell please contact Shirley. Shirley also gives talks about writing in a variety of genres including fiction books, biographies and children’s story books.