AUTHORS and ARTIST

ANDREW SUMMERS
Born within the sound of Bow Bells, Andrew has lived for the last 18 years in Hadleigh and been married to Glenis for 41 years. Andrew has bought books, sold books, printed books and now decided to write and publish books too! He was one of the few people to turn down a job from Alan Sugar.

JOHN DEBENHAM
Born in Romford John has always lived in Essex. On retirement from engineering he took a BA History degree followed by an MA in Intellectual History, studying 'Civilisation and Barbarism'. A member of Southend Poetry Society and Rocheway writing group he enjoys historical research, and writes poetry and short stories with longer works in 'perpetual progress'.

and THE ARTIST: ELIZABETH SUMMERS
Elizabeth lives in Suffolk and is a member of the Sudbourne Park Printmakers Group. She has illustrated several books and is an accomplished printmaker and painter in oils. Her work is regularly exhibited locally and was featured prominently at Aldeburgh's Peter Pears Gallery Easter showing as well as the recent Art Expo in Antwerp in Belgium.

And THE CONTRIBUTING POETS

SHIRLEY BAKER - (Dunmow Flitch, Tiptree Jam, Harbingers at Harlow, Dutch Cottage, Walton Tower, Missing Person from Harlow and The Little Ships of Leigh) Shirley lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex and has been writing for many years. She is a member of the Southend Poetry Group and has published poems on a wide variety of subjects.

JOHN F BARR - (Happy Harry) Born in Essex John worked as a Chartered Surveyor until retiring in 2005. He has had several poems published in the Southend Poetry Group's anthologies.

CHRISTINE BILLINGTON - (Boadica's Revenge and William Morris) Writing since a teenager Christine has had several collections of poetry published by K.T. Publications and many pieces taken by small press publishers.

CLARE HARVEY - (Joscelyne's Beach Chalkwell) Born in Wiltshire, but of an old Leigh bloodline, since retirement, in 2001, Clare concentrates on 5 grandchildren, poetry, photography, painting, gardening, swimming and long term partner - Mervyn!

MERVYN LINFORD - (Three Mills at Battlesbridge and Mulberry) Mervyn has been writing for over thirty years. He has had work published in many magazines, periodicals and anthologies and has been broadcast on both local and national radio. He has had seven collections of poetry published and four works of prose. He runs the 'Littoral Press' and is Poetry Editor for 'Pentangle' magazine.

KATIE MALLETT - (Coalhouse Fort) Katie has written poems and articles since the 1980s. Her work has appeared in Essex magazines and newspapers, and various anthologies, including a series of books edited by E.O. Parrott published by Penguin/Viking.

ADRIAN GREEN - (Sweyn's Castle) Adrian Green lives overlooking the sea at Southend. He holds degrees in psychology and general arts as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Humanities. He is a former editor of SOL magazine, and reviews editor of Littoral Press. He has published 2 pamphlet collections - 'Beachgame' and 'The Watchers'. His most recent book 'Chorus and Coda' was published in 2007.

MARGARET RICE - (Witnesses in White) Margaret, who died in 2006, had a love of language and literature throughout her life. A move to Essex in 2003 focused her writing and particularly poetry allowing her to produce some of her most observant and poignant work.