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QueenSpark Books Archive - Free Full Text Books
A unique searchable archive of the books published by QueenSpark Books up until 2010. Free to view and full text this collection features voices that tell the story of Brighton and Hove, across the 20th Century, in their own words. The majority of these titles are now out-of-print.
You can buy those still in-print, and newer titles, with this link.
Paper on the Wind
Author(s): QueenSpark women writers
Published: 1984
This anthology contains poetry and prose from a QueenSpark Women's group. This was a group of women aged between 20 and 64 years, who met regularly to write and partake in group discussions and workshops. There is a strong feminist influence to the issues that are covered, encompassing the empowerment of women, particularly in today's world, when women have to balance multiple tasks in their daily lives. Paper on the Wind is relevant to all people regardless of age, disability, gender, religion and sexual orientation. It offers a forum for people to explore and experiment with their own creative writing processes and to take the necessary steps that will enable people to start writing for themselves, as well as providing encouragement to all those budding writers out there!The Landlord Cometh
Author(s): Jack Cummins
Published: 1981
Born in 1894 in London, Jack Cummins lived in Brighton from 1959. This book was published on the day of his death – 9th October 1981, so sadly, it also becomes his memorial. Jack was a religious young altar boy who worshipped in the Chapel of St. Anselm and St. Cecilia in Sardinia Street, London. As a boy, he played football for Bourne Athletic Club in Holborn, expressing an interest in physical fitness as well as in spiritual matters. As an adolescent, he became a Labour and suffrage activist and a conscientious objector to wartime activity. As an adult, he surprised everyone, least of all himself, by joining the army in the First World War as, paradoxically 'the only pacifist who took up arms'.Stories from the Nights at the Round Table
Author(s): Dawn Bartram, Margaret Bearfield, Marion Devoy, Gill Donocick, Peggy Eaton, Julie Everton, Sarah Griffiths, Clare Halstead, Ruth Lonsdale, Eve Peel, Sheila Smith, Pauline Streeton, Margaret Ward
Published: 1998
This is an anthology taken from work that was produced by the Hangleton and Brighton Women Writers' groups. The Hangleton group started meeting in July 1988 as part of the Hangleton and Knoll Community Festival. The aim of the programme was to introduce new writers and audiences to the notion of creative writing, using a variety of methods, to explore the central concerns and themes that impact on women's lives and to draw on their life experiences. For many women, it was the first time that they were able to see their work in print, and this was a positive and uplifting experience for them.Live and Learn - A life and struggle for progress
Author(s): Les Moss
Published: 1979
In this book, Les Moss tells of his lifelong struggle in search of progress, and his personal triumph over adversity. Also documented is the eventful daily and working lives of both himself and his family. Examples of the struggles experienced by Les's family are shown in the tale of how his grandfather's Northampton shoe manufacturing company was driven out of business by the advent of mass production and how his father, who played the flute in the Camden Music Halls in London, could no longer work when mass entertainment became prevalent. In turn, Les's own craft as a centre-lathe turner became largely displaced during his lifetime. This fascinating life history also describes one man's involvement in trade unionism and provides a picture of political activism in London and Brighton from the 1920s onward.Roofless - Homeless in Brighton
Author(s): Simon Brown, Chris Ellis, Mark, John Wilkins, Danny, Martin Curtis, Simon Nihill, Paul Budd, B, Richard Rowland, Jacqui Martin, Mick O, Coralee, Chris, Liz Hingley, Jo Nean, Melissa Lee, Barry P, Wendy, Dominique De-Light, John Riches
Published: 2007
Roofless is a collection of photographs, essays, stories and poems by homeless and ex-homeless people from Brighton. It is about survival, about battling poverty, rejection, ill health and loneliness. There is anger, sadness and rebellion, but also instances of hope and solidarity and writing that, whilst often raw and uncompromising, possesses a surprising generosity of spirit. Roofless attacks many commonly held prejudices and provides not just a window on the world of the homeless, but a valuable insight into the society that so often lets them down. Roofless has stimulated many readers to write to QueenSpark - often expressing why some of the stories made them cry 🙁Me and My Mum - The story of five daughters and their relationships with their mothers
Author(s): Leila Abrahams, Irene Donald, June Drake, Monica Hastings, Violet Pumphery
Published: 1996
These childhood reminiscences examine the special and unbreakable bond between mothers and their daughters. Through the story of five daughters and their relationships with their mothers, the book charts the positive and negative experiences of family life. In particular, it examines the influence that their mothers had on their development as women and individuals in their own right. Each story is as different as the people involved and reflects the actions, attitudes, beliefs and subjectivity's of the authors, and is especially relevant to all mothers and daughters, whatever their ages.To be a Farmer’s Boy
Author(s): George Noakes
Published: 1977
This tells of George Noakes's childhood and early adult working life before he married Daisy, author of The Town Beehive and The Faded Rainbow, in 1934. George reminisces about his childhood farm memories and forays to the local shops and surrounding areas; for example, when he visited the local bakers, he always knew that a sugar bun would be given to him. When he was old enough to be trusted outside, he ventured everywhere. In short, he had an idyllic childhood, in an era where children had much more freedom to roam "without today's safety worries" and he progressed from a boy into a happy adolescent and adult.Backstage Brighton - Theatre Going in Brighton & Hove
Author(s):
Published: 2010
In 1900 Brighton had more theatres than anywhere in the UK outside London. Backstage Brighton from QueenSpark Books celebrates theatre and theatre-going in the city, past and present. If you ever wondered what once stood on the site of the Brighton Centre or why the Sallis Benney Theatre is so-called, alongside first person memories of venues from those who were there, then you’ll be enthralled by the book’s fascinating journey through the history and heritage of Brighton & Hove’s many theatrical venues. ‘The Grand was cheaper and more working class than the Theatre Royal. You could get a seat and entertainment for about a shilling. There were about 300 seats, and there were some real characters playing there, like Max Miller. The most expensive seat was one and six, but up in the gallery used to be nine pence. All the yobs used to go up there because it was so cheap. They used to throw sweet wrappers and everything down on people.’ Bill Richards (Local resident) Lavishly illustrated throughout with colour and black-and-white historic photographs, this 76-page A4 paperback book is the companion-piece to Back Row Brighton: Cinema-Going in Brighton & Hove.Tales from the Sanctuary - An anthology of readings from a QueenSpark Performance Evening
Author(s): Shirley Beckett, Danny Birchall, John Cranfield, Sonia Ctvrtecka, Cyril Daugy, Julie Everton, Sue Long, Simon Jenner, Lorna Jones, Nick Osmond, Sam Royce, Tim Shelton-Jones, Nicola Schouten, John Sitzia, John Tatum, Arthur Thickett, Deb Thomas, Alistair Thomson
Published: 1995
This is an anthology of readings that were given at a QueenSpark performance evening. The recital took place at the Sanctuary cafe in Hove, which is a popular location for community events. For some people, this was the first time they had read aloud in public, although this was not reflected in their performances! The work, however, does reflect the diversity of QueenSpark members. It includes prose and poetry, humorous and sad contributions; some brief, others far longer. In short, there is enough material in this collection to suit every reader's taste - an impressive anthology, featuring a truly inspirational body of work.Rare book
Stroke: Who Cares? - The stories of five carers
Author(s): Georgina Castelfranc, Karen Clark, Guy Pearman, Irene Player, Joan Roberts
Published: 1993(reprinted 1996)
Continuing the theme of working with people who have suffered strokes, this book is intended as both a self-help aid and as a helpful guide that can provide support to others in similar situations. It is written by five people with experience of caring for a close relative who has suffered a stroke. The process of compiling their memories and thoughts and putting pen to paper was therapeutic for the authors. Their objective was to reach out and help others who may be struggling to cope in similar circumstances. Carers often have to deal with exasperating, challenging behaviour and a personal sense of being trapped and isolated. All of the narratives are lively, moving, evocative and informative and are taken from the layman's point of view, as the authors consider that professionals cannot speak with such insight. Issues that are covered include practical concerns such as claiming state benefits, hospital procedures, respite and palliative care.