MARCH 2025

March 2025

Occasionally there is an opportunity to enjoy research opportunities. Next month I shall be visiting Winston Churchill’s country house near Westerham in Kent and then on to Canterbury Cathedral with over 1400 years of stories to discover. However, yesterday was particularly special. I attended a lecture at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall to listen to an excellent talk by the author historian and archivist, Jane Marguerite Tippett. An American, who graduated from Delaware University, Jane presented a fascinating insight into the life of Edward VIII and based on her book, ‘Once A King’, the lost memoir of Edward VIII. It was well worth the visit into London to uncover the secrets of his life.

As a Yorkshireman I have long been an admirer of the artist and sculptor, Barbara Hepworth, who was born and educated in Wakefield. Last month I spent a couple of hours in the Barbara Hepworth Museum and it was a wonderful experience. The museum opened in 2011 to mixed reviews as its brutalist design was not universally popular among the locals. The structure is composed of ten trapezoidal blocks with its upper levels lit by natural light from the large windows providing views of the River Calder and the city skyline. However, once inside, it is a revelation with a collection that spans the old masters to the twentieth century. It also helped that I chose a day of sunshine and blue skies!

That apart, I’m busy once again at the copy edit stage of the third and final novel in my University trilogy, UNIVERSITY SECRETS, to be published later this year. It is always an interesting stage revisiting a novel that was completed last autumn as it goes through various stages and from one department to another. It’s a lengthy and complex process and soon I shall have the opportunity to see what the artist will make of this title for the cover design.

Meanwhile I noted that one of my earlier novels in the Teacher series, BACK TO SCHOOL, has been selected for an Amazon offer during March priced at £0.99. This is one of the prequels set in 1969 when Jack Sheffield was a young teacher looking for a job. Happy memories!

Meanwhile, I’ve had several requests for speaking engagements and many of these will coincide with the launch of the new novel. The list of engagements will be published on the Events page of this website.

Best wishes,

Jack