Authorshortlisted for award

HERTFORDSHIRE-based authorJonathan Stroud has been shortlistedfor the 2010 Costa Book Awards.The awards recognise the mostenjoyable books in five categories –First Novel, Novel, Biography,Poetry and Children’s Book –published in the last year by writersbased in the UK and Ireland.

Jonathan has been shortlisted forthe children’s book award with hisbook Bartimaeus: The Ring of Solomon(Doubleday Children’s Books).

This year’s Costa Book Awardsattracted 540 entries and judgesinclude authors Adele Parks, JulietNicolson and Tim Bowler; poetRuth Padel; biographer CarolineMoorehead OBE and broadcastersand presenters Lorraine Kelly,Anneka Rice and Anita Rani.

Winners in the five categories,who each receive £5,000, will beannounced on January 5. Theoverall winner of the Costa Book ofthe Year 2010 will receive £30,000and will be selected and announcedat the Costa Book Awards ceremonyin central London on January 25.

OCTOBER saw the long-awaitedlaunch of the The Pride of Pirton, a bookcharting the history of the village menwho fought in World War I. It is ameticulously-researched book that tookauthors Jonty Wild, Tony French andChris Ryan to every single graveoccupied by these brave men.

It was launched to a fanfare of acontingent of Chelsea Pensioners and‘The Rifles’, a WWI re-enactmentgroup in the Pirton Sports and SocialClub and the village.

'The Rifles’ built a bunker and atypical trench tent and had on displayan impressive array of WWIweaponry; rifles, bayonets, grenades,general kit and typical trench rations.

Chris Ryan said, ‘It was great to seeyoung children whose great-great-grandfathers might have fought inthat conflict being shown the ins andouts of trench warfare and hopefullygaining an insight into what theirancestors had to face.

‘The Chelsea Pensioner contingent

was delightful. Self-effacing men withmedal-bedecked chests that didn't comefrom marching around parade groundsor being wounded in combat.'

‘The Rifles’ then led a march to thebeautifully-restored Village WarMemorial, where a wreath was laidand the Last Post played. Proceedingsthen returned to the Sports and SocialClub, where an open bar and acasserole supper supplied by The Foxpub was very well received.

Copies of the book are now on saleat the Pirton Village Shop or bycontacting Jonty Wild at CatsWhiskers, 14a High Street, Pirton,SG5 3PS orwww.pirton.org.uk/ww1book. Thecost is £19.95 plus £4.50 if posted.

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The Pride of Pirton

book launch