The beginning of March saw the delivery of our proof copy of the book, and we are delighted at how it looks. We had a busy few days checking for any mistakes or spacing issues and will have completed that piece of work by early next week (week commencing 20/3/17). We will then arrange for the book to be published in its final version. We have sufficient funds to produce 300 copies.
Of course, we would not wish to spoil the excitement by revealing too much about the book or indeed its cover. However, we can say it is called All The Kingsley Men and there is a sneak preview of its spine here.
The launch of the book will be held at Kingsley Village Hall on Sunday 23rd April 2017. The hall will be open from 1230pm with the formal opening of the event at 1pm.
We hope there will be copies available for anyone who wishes to have one, but if demand outstrips supply then there will be a downloadable copy from the project website in due course.
Whilst the books are freely available we thought it would be an opportunity to raise some money for worthwhile causes in the parish and to that end, we will look for a small donation of £3 to be made for each copy.
As well as the book launch, we intend to have a display of some of our research, especially that relating to those men who whilst linked to the parish did not meet our criteria for inclusion in the book for various reasons.
Martin Clewlow, the grandson of James Milward who survived, will be on hand with a display of period weapons, military uniform and artifacts. Anyone who attended the launch event in 2014 will remember that Martin’s display was a great draw and is sure to be again.
Lastly, there will be a slide show running throughout the afternoon showcasing the project and the many achievements we have seen over the last three years.
We have also arranged for the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership to be on hand at the event. This will give those attending an opportunity to provide your oral histories of the village and wider valley. In addition, you will have the chance to give your views on the CVLLP going forward.
There will, of course, be refreshments available throughout the event which will end by 5pm.
Everyone will be welcome to attend of course, but in the next few days or so we will be extending specific invites to relatives of the men who died as well as the many people who have kindly assisted the project team in its work.