The recent book launch of "Brinsley - Top to Bottom" resulted in a virtual sell-out on the day itself and a reprint had to be organised quickly to meet demand.   

The book has been very well received - which is pleasing to say it is Brinsley book number 13.    

The title seems to have intrigued quite a few readers.  However the title is particularly relevent to the book and all becomes clear when viewing the contents of the book.

Prospective readers may be interested to learn that there is a pdf version of the book available and this can be e-mailed to any part of the UK and most parts of the world.     The cost is £2.00 sterling and payment by PayPal (using the address stan@basfordbystander.org.uk) is perfectly acceptable.

All net proceeds of the book are donated to Brinsley Parish Church.

http://www.ztanzmith.co.uk and http://www.basfordbystander.org.uk

http://www.newwritersuk.co.uk/ztanzmith.html

http://twitter.com/@ZtanZmith

 

BRINSLEY - TOP TO BOTTOM is my latest book and is being launched on Saturday 16th March 2013 in St James Church, Brinsley, from 10.00am until 2.00pm.     

 

The pretty village of Brinsley, which lies between Eastwood on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border and junction 27 of the M1, is in that part of the country which D H Lawrence described as “the country of my heart.”

 

“Brinsley - Top to Bottom” is my 36th local book and 13th Brinsley Book - which is rather appropriate for the year 2013 

 

After launch day, my illustrated book containing 36pps and costing  £2.70 inclusive of p&p, can be obtained directly from me by e-mailing stan@powercomp.co.uk; from Brinsley Post Office or from Lowdham Bookcase on the internet -  http://www.nottinghambooks.co.uk    If ordering from me the payment should be made out to “Stan Smith” please.

 

My latest book is packed with true stories of fascinating local characters who lived in and around the village - none more so than pop star, grappler and living legend John Lawrence - grandfather of the famous writer D H Lawrence and Walter Cornell the lamp cabin man and one legged cyclist.

 

Then there are the stories of Alfred Wilkinson, keeper of the Miners’ Welfare unable to serve ale to local miners; Bill Harris the only resident in the Rookery to own a piano and D H Lawrence’s uncle who stood trial for murder!      Life was never dull!

http://www.ztanzmith.co.uk   and    http://www.basfordbystander.org.uk

http://www.newwritersuk.co.uk/ztanzmith.html

 http://twitter.com/@ZtanZmith

 

As many will know, I am the Editor of the Basford Bystander which is a journal produced every other month.  It is devoted to nostalgia, together with events and the fascinating stories of people who, over the years,  lived in and around the Nottingham suburbs of  Old and New Basford, Bulwell, Hyson Green, Cinderhill, Broxtowe, Carrington and Highbury Vale etc.

Currently Basford Bystander No 156 is at the printers and will be available at the beginning of February 2013.  As the Bystander is issued twice a year it becomes apparent that it has been published for more than a quarter of a century.    Back copies are available from issue 21 onwards.    See  http://www.basfordbystander.org.uk

 

However Basford Bystanders prior to Issue 21 have been out of print for many years - which is a pity because there are some fascinating articles that deserve to be seen again.    With this in mind I have produced a booklet incorporating the best of these articles which appeared in Issues No 1 - 10.

BYSTANDER CREAM by ZTAN ZMITH

The Editor's Compilation of Articles published in

out-of-print copies of the Basford Bystander

Issues No'd 1-10

     Articles include : -

 

Colds and Chimney Sweeping The Steaming Past - Basford’s Railway Stations   Fox & Crown and its Prison cells.
The River Leen St Leo’s - the Story of a Church Eddie Mellor’s Lincoln Street Alfred Fewkes - Notts Cricketer The Workhouse	Margaret Rose - a tragedy Clay Tobacco Pipes Basford Wakes Ripley Rattlers Northgate & New Basford

If you would like a copy of this unique book by UK Mail then please send a cheque payable to -

"Basford & District Local History Society" for £2.70 per book (includes UK postage)

 to 44 Cherry Tree Close, Brinsley, Nottingham NG16 5BA

==============

A pdf copy can be e-mailed inland or world wide(at a cost of £2.00 sterling per copy) via e-mail at :-

stan@basfordbystander.org.uk.     PayPal accepted.

THE SELSTON TWINS AND OTHERS

My latest book celebrates the lives of two indomitable twin sisters from Selston in Nottinghamshire - Nora Langton and Marion Warner - who celebrated their 100^th birthday on the    7^th November 2012.

The new book traces their fascinating story through the previous one hundred years.  During my researches, it was heart warming and wonderful to bask in the affection that these two gentle ladies generated from all the lives they touched.

Marion, a devoted teacher and Nora, a conscientious Social worker, having led such fulfilling lives, were honoured, in November, with a special party commemorating their centenary.  

The church building where the celebration was held was packed to overflowing with friends and well wishers.     This in itself was a wonderful tribute to them.

 The book cost £2.00 + 60p p&p

 

 

TOO LATE TO HANG

I have now ventured into the field of e-book publishing and my first e- book is available on Kindle.

 

The new book is called “Too Late to Hang”    See intro below

Sarah came from a fairly well-to-do family, inheriting money from her grandmother, Mrs Bomford, and on the marriage her husband received a settlement of £80.     With no money worries it should have been a happy marriage for the young couple.

But, this was not to be.

Within a short space of time, Sarah was arrested for murder and at her trial was sentenced to death by hanging on the steps of the Shire Hall in Nottingham.

On the fateful day and at the appointed time, the prison door remained firmly shut.   Consequently, Sarah was too late for her own execution!

 

This was a great human interest piece to research and a fascinating story to write up afterwards.   It is even more fascinating of course because all of it is true!

 

 

 

 

Tony Kelly has asked for a copy of my latest book “Odie the Terrible” and writes –

"I was with Joint Promotions for years and I was often on with Tubby, especially at Digbeth Civic Hal in Birmingham.     (Tubby of course was one of Odie's aliases.)

I am attaching a picture of myself and Haystacks and a scan of myself and Jim Breaks at Birmingham."

Odie book Review in the Nottinghan Post

Glad to report that my book "Odie the Terrible and other aliases" is selling really well and is already into a third reprint.

There is a good review of the book "Odie the Terrible and other aliases" in the Nottingham Post issue of 20th April 2012.   Please follow the link  http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk     and search for "Vince Apollo"

I am tentatively considering putting together another book on the Selston twins Marion Warner and Nora Langton  who will be 100 years old  this November.     Memories and anecdotes concerning the twins would be welcomed.