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Of Peats and Puts – the Back 9
Andrew Brown

Published: Oct 2023
Hardback: 148 pages
Price: £19.50
ISBN: 9781915972118
Available on The Great British Bookshop

Paperback: 148 pages
Price: £10.00
ISBN: 9781915972187
Available on Amazon

Of Peats and Putts - The Back 9
by Andrew Brown

The author returns to his native Scotland following excursions to the rest of the United Kingdom, Ireland and, more recently, nine continental European countries. In this charming second Scottish volume, he reviews how whisky and golf have fared in Scotland in the intervening five years and finds that there have been plenty of developments. Twenty new distilleries have opened and golf has also undergone something of a renaissance.

There is so much to review about Scotland’s two gifts to the world that a trilogy is barely sufficient to do them both justice. This second volume focuses on Scotland’s east coast and the final volume will explore the west coast and the islands. This second volume again features a mix of large and long-established distilleries as well as small recentlyopened ones, while the author’s golfing choices combine some old favourites with less well-known venues. He continues to marvel at the enormous variety of both whisky and golfing offerings and a developing preference for visiting the entrepreneurial start-up distilleries and ‘hidden-gem’ golf courses will be the focus of his fourth book.

Reviews of Peats and Putts...

Charles Maclean, Whisky Writer and Master of the Quaich
It is astonishing that until now nobody has sought to bring together Scotland’s two greatest gifts to the world – whisky and golf.
This little book is a personal journey of discovery. In ten chapters, each devoted to a region or county – from Sutherland in the north to East Lothian in the south and Islay in the West - Andrew Brown reviews a golf course and a locally made malt whisky.
As he travels from one place to the next he ponders how and why these two products developed in Scotland and what it is about the country, its landscape and people, which connects them. As he writes: “Both whisky and golf are more than just a drink and a sport; both can be seen as metaphors for the vagaries of life itself.” Indeed!

Golf Quarterly Review June 2018
This is a delightful, well-written little book – part travel guide, part history, part personal philosophy, and part unwitting nationalist tract (what better way, after all, to celebrate Scottish distinctiveness than through writing about its two most famous exports?). It takes the form of a tour of nine regions of the country, in search of the author’s favourite distilleries and favourite golf courses along the way.
I can imagine peripatetic golfers with a fondness for an evening dram, or whisky aficionados with a set of clubs in the boot of their car, packing this little volume and reading up on pleasures planned for the following day. It will be equally enjoyable, though, with a glass of single malt to hand in the privacy of your own home.
What gives the journey special significance is the author’s playful exploration of the similarities and connections between whisky and golf. Andrew Brown, a native Scot who spent most of his career in the food industry south of the border, suggests that location, history and architecture are crucial to the two experiences. History, for instance, is an important part of the narrative that accompanies both playing and drinking. Just as we like to know the origins, ownership and social impact of a particular whisky brand (notwithstanding the marketing hype), so hearing about how and when a golf club was founded, who played there and who designed and changed it invariably enriches a round of golf.
Perhaps design is the most striking common factor given the simple, limited and seemingly unpromising ingredients that course architects and whisky manufacturers both start with. All golf courses are hewn out of sand and soil, while the essential elements of any whisky are also the same: only malted barley, water and yeast are permitted in anything that calls itself Scotch. What produces so many different and unique variations of the spirit is everything from the distilling process to the local landscape, whether it be the taste of the water, the quality of the soil, or the extent of the annual rainfall. In the case of golf it’s the eye and skill to use nature to best effect.
Each chapter describes the idiosyncrasies of a favourite course and distillery. The golf choices are far from predictable – Brora rather than Dornoch in Sutherland, Kilspindie rather than Gullane, Luffness New or Muirfield in East Lothian, the Eden rather than the Old Course in Fife. These reflect not just a conscious decision to stay away from Championship venues but those the author considers best meet his three criteria for selection: a tough but enjoyable (and affordable) test for all levels of golfer, delightful surroundings and a welcoming clubhouse. There is an equally diverse spread of distilleries, old and new, large and small, ranging from multinational owned enterprises such as Glenmorangie to independent Edradour in Perthshire (20,000 cases of which went down off the island of Eriskay in 1941, inspiring Compton Mackenzie’s wonderful book Whisky Galore).
Wisely, the author does not take prior knowledge for granted though spelling out a three-shotter for golfers or mash tuns for devoted whisky drinkers may mildly irritate some. I liked his many diversions - musings on what makes a good golf hole and a good malt, for example, thumbnail sketches of important golf designers like James Braid and Harry Colt, and reflections on the history and practise of naming golf holes. There are plenty of surprises (at least to this non-expert whisky drinker). Did you know that eight of the world’s top ten whisky brands are Indian, while the country that consumes the most whisky on a per capital basis is France (the United States being second and the UK third)?
Tim Dickson
Editor
Golf Quarterly

Simon Marquis, Cornwall
Of Peats and Putts will appeal to anyone who enjoys golf and/or malt whisky. Andrew Brown is an enthusiastic amateur of both and his enjoyment shines through this delightful scamper across nine of Scotland’s finest golf holes, and a rather more leisurely trundle around nine of its distilleries. The real pleasure of this short volume though is the author’s drawing of nice parallels between these twin pleasures and life itself. Golf has its ups and downs as do our lives, some of them at least, perhaps smoothed away by a late evening dram or two!
The book is a pleasure in itself. I eagerly await volume two.

James Holder - Author of The Great War's Sporting Casualties
Andrew Brown's second book, Mashies and Mash Tuns, has all the same charm as his first book. He describes the golf courses highlighted in his book leaving you wanting to play them and writes about whiskey in a way which, because of my own aversion to whisky (and whiskey), leaves me regretting I cannot taste them.
And not content with just writing about golf courses and distilleries, he expresses in no uncertain terms how he thinks golf should be played, views I share but views which I fear too many golfers choose to ignore.

The Railway Town of Ramsbottom
Nigel Jepson

Published: Oct 2023
Paperback: 160 pages
Price: £10.00
ISBN: 9781915972262
Available from Amazon

The Railway Town of Ramsbottom
Past and Present
by Nigel Jepson

This book tells the fascinating story of how Ramsbottom became a railway town in the 1840s after a group of local businessmen met in a pub in Bury to set up a company which became known as the East Lancashire Railway. The various ups and downs in the process of building the line connecting Ramsbottom with Bury and Rawtenstall are described here using a variety of sources, including newspaper reports of an ‘alarming riot’ of railway workers at the Grant Arms.

The arrival of the railway brought immense benefits as far as local industry and the town’s growing population were concerned. However, the ‘Beeching Cuts’ of the 1960s had telling consequences for the existing East Lancashire rail network. The impact on Ramsbottom is gauged by exploring the views and reactions of local people as well as those in Summerseat where police had to be brought in to suppress protest action.

Although the demolition of Ramsbottom Station in the early 70s seemed a nail in the coffin for its railway town status, a brave campaign, spearheaded by the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society (ELRPS) was already underway aimed at re-opening the Bury-Ramsbottom line.

Against the odds, victory for this brave band of rail enthusiasts came about in 1987 and marked by the re-opening of a heritage line between Bury and Ramsbottom. The development was seen as ‘a heaven-sent opportunity’, galvanising the life of the town as a whole.

First-hand accounts are used to highlight the significant impact railways have had on people’s lives up to the present day.



Nigel Jepson lives in Ramsbottom and is a keen supporter and member of Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

He first came to the local area in the mid-1990s when taking up post as Headteacher at nearby Haslingden High School. As far as the broader community was concerned, it didn’t take long to pick up the vibes regarding the longstanding rivalry between Haslingden and Ramsbottom, much of it existing on a cricketing front as traditional close rivals in the Lancashire League.

Nigel’s last UK Head’s post was at Kearsley Academy in Bolton from 2010 to 2014. ‘Retired’, he has though carried out interim Headteacher work in Dubai during 2016 and has also conducted teacher training programmes in New Delhi in 2018.

Although having always been keen on team sports, he developed a passion for long distance running which started with the London Marathon in 1982, moving through other events to New York in 2001. More recently, over 2017 to 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic kicking in, he ran four more marathons in Dubai, Belfast, Manchester and Liverpool.

The Glasgow Wheelers
Kenny Pryde

Published: Oct 2023
Paperback: 168 pages
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 9781915972163
Available from Amazon

The Glasgow Wheelers
by Kenny Pryde
A Scottish cycling history

There are few British cycling clubs which can claim to have been in existence for over one hundred years without a break, but the Glasgow Wheelers is one of them. Much more than that however, Glasgow Wheelers have been involved in the pivotal moments of British cycle sport history.

From shaping the breakaway organisation that would turn into British Cycling and running Britain's first road race championship, riding the inaugural 1936 Olympic road race and providing the first British podium finisher in the Tour de France, the Glasgow Wheelers had a hand in it all – and much more besides. Intrigues, hardship and a little skullduggery are all part of this intriguing sporting and social history.

This story of the Glasgow Wheelers is also – inevitably - the story of British cycling itself.

Reviews of The Glasgow Wheelers...

Susan Egelstaff, The Herald, 20 August 2023

One such club that has played a significant part in Scottish sporting history is Glasgow Wheelers, a cycling club that’s produced more world-class athletes than many others could even dream of.

The history of the club has been documented in a fascinating and incredibly well-researched book called: 'The Glasgow Wheelers; A Scottish Cycling History.'

This book such a vital read. And it’s not only worth reading for cycling enthusiasts, but also for people like me who are interested in Scottish sport but are entirely ignorant of the history of a club (...)which has played such a massive part in the sporting success of this country over the past century.

See Article in The Herald


Mia Fights Back
J K Keane

Published: Oct 2023
Paperback: 193 pages
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 9781915972248
Available from Amazon

Mia Fights Back
by Jessica Keane
A Mia the Kitten Adventure

Mia is back for another forest adventure. Snakes, poisonous plants and foxes are not the only threats the black kitten and her sidekick, Joker, face. The biggest danger lurks not far from home.

When disaster strikes and one of the animals is trapped without hope of escape, Mia knows she must try to save her friend. She will need all the knowledge she gained in kitten school.

Will Mia’s rescue plan work and will the animals get their revenge?

Two kind teenagers, a feisty goat, and a Scottish pony join the cats and forest animals in this exciting adventure story.



Mia Fights Back is Book 2 in the Mia the Kitten Adventure Series. This delightful animal adventure series about a feisty kitten and her forest friends is ideal for kids who love animals, nature and adventure. The illustrated chapter books are aimed at children above the age of six who are ready to step up from picture books to more complex stories with multiple characters. They work well as read together books for young families but can be read alone by competent young readers. I recommend reading the books in order although they work as standalone books as well. Facts about nature and forest animals are woven into the plot that follows kitten Mia as she makes friends and keeps getting into trouble in the woods behind her house. All the books in the series focus on the value of friendship, kindness and the benefits of collaboration.


JK Keane spent her early years running wild in the forests of her native Germany.

When she was four years old, she decided that she was going to be an animal doctor.

Her dream came true and she worked for more than twenty years as a vet first in Germany and then in the UK.

Now retired, she lives with her husband in Shropshire. When she is not busy writing, you’ll probably find her exploring the local woods, looking for the best climbing trees or tracking the forest animals together with her grandchildren.

Reviews of Mia Fights Back...

'Amazon Review, October 2023
This book follows the adventures of Mia the mischievous kitten and all her friends. There is enough excitement to make the children turn the pages, enough informative content to help them learn about nature and enough escapades to have them giggling at the antics of the animals and the birds. My granddaughter loved the first Mia book. I know she will love this one too.

Amazon review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating story of animals loved by children

Amazon review, 18 October 2023
An exciting read with realistic descriptions of animal behaviour that will enthral & amuse young children. Good for bedtime story & an early reading book.

Poltwhistle’s Final Defeat – Fictional sequel to Gilbert and Sullivan’s Yeomen of the Guard
Malcolm Dunbar

Published: July 2023
Paperback: 38 pages
Price: £5.00
ISBN: 9781915972064

Available
on Amazon


Poltwhistle's Final Defeat
Fictional sequel to Gilbert and Sullivan's Yeomen of the Guard.
by Malcolm Dunbar

Poltwhistle’s Final Defeat is the sequel to Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’. Here Sir Clarence Poltwhistle is enraged at being thwarted over his attempt to claim his cousin Colonel Fairfax’s estate which falls to him if he should die without marrying. Poltwhistle makes one final attempt to thwart his cousin, but even this fails, leaving Poltwhistle desolate. In the end everything works out for everybody concerned, even the broken hearted jester Jack Point finds happiness and love once more.

Malcolm Dunbar was born and brought up in Edinburgh.

Malcolm wrote a number of autobiographical stories about his war experience and later life. He also wrote several biblical essays.

However, it was his love for Gilbert and Sullivan's opera “The Yeoman of the Guard” that urged him to write a sequel to the opera.

He enjoyed writing the story and hopes that you will enjoy reading it.

Birds and Their Gift of Music
Michael Green

Published: July 2023
Paperback: 328 pages
Price: £15.99
ISBN: 9781914424885

Available
on Amazon



Trade sales - contact sales@youcaxton.co.uk
Birds and Their Gift of Music
An exploration of music inspired by birds and birdsong
by Michael Green

This authoritative account links the two worlds of birds and music to show the extraordinary influence that birds, through song and behaviour, have had on composers and musicians over the last millennium.

Over 1200 examples represent folk music, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and modern periods including, more recently, popular music and jazz.

Musicians are presented by country and the reader will find brief composer biographies, short descriptions of many of the individual pieces, which may be songs, instrumental, choral or orchestral, also references to the poetry which has inspired much of the music.

A series of invaluable appendices facilitates easy access to a wonderful world of discoveries.

The author lives in North Norfolk where he is well known for his many illustrated talks on a variety of musical subjects particularly concerning birds.

He has devoted many years to researching his subject in the certain belief that this is a book which needed to be written and which will appeal to a wide reading international public of bird, music and nature lovers.

With particular thanks to Mark Glaister for his delightful cover painting and additional watercolours represented in these pages in monochrome.

If you wish to see the original watercolour paintings along with brief musical excerpts they can be viewed at https://www.graceglaisterphotography.co.uk/birds-and-their-gift-of-music

Mark Glaister, growing up in Carlisle, Cumbria, was always inspired by his rather eccentric uncle, Ernest Glaister, a local watercolour artist but did not take up watercolour himself until late in life. He paints landscapes often drawing on the area of North Norfolk where he now lives in retirement with his wife, Grace.

Michael Green was born in Cheshire in 1937 and educated at Wrekin College and Manchester University.

After a career in the computer world, spent 10 years at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre as Development Director.

First wife, Elizabeth, died in 1989 leaving son, Nicolas who composes music for TV series and daughter, Rachel, who runs a successful catering business.

Now living with wife, Heather, in North Norfolk.

K…I…S…S
Peter Stanley

Published: July 2023
Paperback: 158 pages
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 9781915972057

Available
on Amazon


K...I...S...S
A meditation on the art of well-being by “keeping it simple”
by Peter Stanley

Find the ultimate way to live your life - although don't follow this book exactly or you may end up in trouble.

Simply take from it what you need. Live your life as YOU want to, and in doing so, have loads of fun.

This memoir incorporates all the elements of well-being with adventure, humour and a desire to ensure the readers own well-being.

A deeply personal and inspiring account of the author’s life but ultimately, this is a powerful message about the importance of the need to mitigate suffering, whether on an individual or social level.

The author shares his own experiences of overcoming adversity, as well as thoughts on how we can all work together to create a more compassionate and equitable world.

A rip roaring read but with the accent on the relief of suffering and achieving the ultimate in well being - how? - with humour – and fill your soul with music and your heart with love!

Peter spends his life having fun, or at least trying to when not extricating himself from yet another situation caused by his incessant quest to remove suffering from people’s lives with his care for others.

Sometimes dubbed a rebel with a cause, he has worked as an accountant, salesman, serial entrepreneur and chaired a public company for a number of years.

Married to Mame, a lovely lady who died a short while ago, they have two children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

This is his first book.

Reviews by Amazon Readers...

KISS is a memoir that combines personal stories, insights, and humor to share the author’s journey of finding well-being and happiness in life. Peter reflects on his experiences of overcoming challenges, discovering his passions, and helping others. He also offers practical advice on how to achieve well-being by following the KISS principle of simplicity in all endeavours.The book is a captivating and inspiring read that will make you laugh, cry, and think. It is full of wisdom and compassion, as well as anecdotes from the author’s life. The book also explores various topics related to well-being, such as breathing, meditation, yoga, music, love, spirituality, and social justice. The book is written in a conversational and engaging style, with a balance of humor, drama, and insight. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their well-being and happiness, as well as to learn more about the author’s fascinating life. It is a book that will touch your heart, mind, and soul, and inspire you to live a simple, meaningful, and fulfilling life. CGPT

There is something magic about your writing, I can't put my finger on it but it makes the reader feel that no matter how difficult and dark life is, it is still worth living. What you are saying has been said many times, but not in the special way you are saying it, which really reaches out to the reader and gives them hope and courage to carry on. You have a special gift, keep up the good work, I can't wait for your next book! - MH

You are talking directly to us, Your writing is spontaneous and heartfelt and comes across in a way we can relate to. Also you write from the heart, your spirit shines out from the pages of your book, it is what we all need these days. LDN

I feel I have touched base again and back to where I was before……..I feel I have been through years of madness, trying to find myself having lost my way……….so thank you Peter. ANON

Your book grips the imagination and is never boring, it really makes you think about so many things. I loved it. A beautiful memoir with such good advice. SS

Inspiring This is a wonderful book, both a memoir and a book about how to live in a more mindful way. Enjoyable and thought provoking, the book is full of stories to make you laugh and wisdom to make you think about what is really important. I keep your lovely book on the table and dip into it at random when I sit down for cups of tea during the day. It is my comfort blanket and calms me down when I feel my nervous tension rising. It is such a sane, thoughtful, kind book. SAL

I started your book yesterday and finished it at 5.00pm today – that’s how much I enjoyed it !! BD

Jo kept saying the book was "absolutely incredible", she had read it twice and was going to read it a third time. She said the book was like you climbed lots of mountains to get on to the next mountain and never complained about it at all, (she related the story of when your canoe got filled with coal). She said it was like you have been at the helm of your life, all your life and remained there, and "anyone with a spark of conscience would be moved/ affected by your book". Jo said she would recommend your book to everyone in the world! - JO

Reviews by readers...

Angela Mays - Social Scientist
“There is real warmth in this writing”

Fay Pedler - Physiotherapist
“This book is addictive”

Sarah Juckes, Jericho Writers
“I really enjoyed reading this”

Charmaine Despres
“I love every single word Peter”

Cleo Howe
“I agree with your thoughts on positive thinking, such a powerful healer”

Marcella Howard
“You write as if it is coming from the heart”


Gerald Eugen Marcuse, G2NM
David Fry

Published: July 2023
Paperback: 298 pages
Price: £16.00
ISBN: 9781915972125

Colour Edition
Buy direct from the Author
Contact: marcuseg2nm@protonmail.com

Black/White Edition
Available worldwide
on Amazon


Gerald Eugen Marcuse, G2NM
Pioneer of Radio
by David Fry, G4JSZ

Gerald Eugen Marcuse, a contemporary of Marconi, enjoyed similar fame during the early years of radio.

Marcuse’s amazing exploits in the 1920’s had earned him an international reputation as a radio experimenter and broadcaster but subsequently he became less wellknown.

In this superbly researched volume, Marcuse’s achievements are set out in detail, including numerous ‘firsts’, made through his brilliant understanding of the technology of the day and his perception of what was needed and what was to come.

First to contact South America, California, Australia & New Zealand by radio, he was instrumental in the foundation of formal ‘Ham’ Radio organisations, making contact with the Hamilton-Rice expedition and assisting both the Police and Ambulance services to set up mobile communications.

He shared his experience with other ‘Hams’ by giving advice and sending them vital components.

Marcuse was issued with a licence to broadcast entertainment from his home in Caterham. He battled with the legal authorities, especially the inertia of the Post Office (the legal body responsible for issuing amateur radio licences) and the BBC which hadn’t accepted the best operating frequencies that should have been used to broadcast overseas successfully.

A household name in the 1920’s but now almost unknown.

A remarkable career but with no official recognition.

After graduating from High School in Toronto, Canada in 1966, David was licenced G8CDQ in 1967 then G4JSZ in 1968.

He was appointed Technical Assistant at the BBC Engineering Department in 1968 at Evesham, Skelton (World Service Transmitters) & Droitwich.

David graduated in 1973 to teach Maths & IT at Droitwich High School. Here he established a vibrant radio club, coaching several students through the Radio Amateur’s exam and is still in contact with some of them.

He was appointed Head of IT at Shrewsbury Girl’s High from 1990-2006 then left to build a successful picture framing business.

David’s first book was based on a diary that Marcuse kept as an engineering student in Einbeck, Germany in 1903.