Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Christmas in the Trenches

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918, the guns fell silent...

For many serving in the trenches during the First World War, Christmas was spent in the trenches as well. On Christmas Day 1914 a legendary football match is supposed to have taken place in the middle of No-Man's-Land between the Allies and the Germans, but no one knows what the final score was as no one bothered to keep count.

The legend became immortalised in the video for Paul McCartney's Pipes Of Peace.



In truth, some said the Germans won 3-2, but whatever the facts of the matter, the truce gradually came to an end in the same way it had begun - by mutual consent. It never happened again.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

The Ultimate Christmas Quiz at the UCS Beyond Words Festival 2009

Well I survived the What is Myrrh Anyway? Ultimate Christmas Quiz experience at the UCS Beyond Words Festival and sold a few more books, which is always nice. It just remains for me to thank Martin Hitchcock and his able assistants Sophia, Katie, Hal and Ian, for all their help and for making me feel so welcome, and Najma of Icon Books for arranging the session.

Did you snow?

Everyone loves a white Christmas but when was the last one you remember? I remember there was a great one down our way back in the Seventies some time.

Did you know...?
For it to officially be a white Christmas - at least according to bookmakers - just one snowflake has to land on the roof of the London Weather Centre within the 24 hours of the 25 December.

However, did you also know...?
Statistically, Britain is just as likely to have a white Easter as it is a white Christmas!

Monday, 9 November 2009

What is Myrrh Anyway? The Ultimate Christmas Quiz

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday 10 November, I shall be appearing at the Beyond Words Festival, at University College School from 2.30-3.45pm. I shall be talking briefly about the how I came to write What is Myrrh Anyway? and will then be hosting a fun - but challenging - Christmas quiz, as well as signing copies of my books. It's not too late to reserve your ticket for this event, just ring the UCS Box Office on 020 7433 2219, or you could try turning up on the day.


Might see you there.

Friday, 6 November 2009

What is Myrrh Anyway? at Ealing's leading Art and Craft fair

Just a reminder that I will be at St James' Art and Craft Fair tomorrow - Saturday 7 November - between 10.00am and 4.00pm, selling - and of course signing! - copies of What is Myrrh Anyway? Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Christmas.


I also have a limited number of copies of the brand new American edition of the book Christmas Miscellany available, as well as some of my latest Fighting Fantasy adventure gamebook Stormslayer.


Admission is free, so if you're in the area, why not pop along and say "Hello"?

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Father Christmas Needs a Wee!

Pity poor Santa. Every year, for one night only, he visits millions upon millions of homes and feels obliged to partake of the goodies left out for him by expectant children the world over - the mince pies, the slices of Christmas cake, the glasses of sherry, eggnog, liqueurs...

But in his busy schedule when does he ever get a chance to visit the little elves' room? Father Christmas Needs a Wee, by Nicholas Allan, takes this precise problem a the premise for this charming picture book published by Red Fox, and which you can read more about here, or purchase here.

Monday, 2 November 2009

Want a 'crafty' way to give gifts this Christmas?

If so, then you can get your own Reindeer Gift Bag Craft Kit here.