Book signing organised at Goodwood .. July 12 th. I'm very excited .. just like I was as a child. We always used to  go to the Easter Monday meeting. With Easter eggs all over the back shelf and told to hide them as we entered the Paddock. I dont know how my mum did all that driving and in those days terrible traffic jams. For those of you who think my book is just about discovering Asquith its not .. its also about fond memories of following BRM that great racing car of the 1950s and 60s. Motor racing was so trilling in those days and I will never forget the noise of that supercharged engine.

Wow! Did Disraeli have a love child or two .. just like HH Asquith? Were all the Prime Ministers at it in the past? Was it as a badge of honour for high placed statesmen or was it a typical male politician's behaviour?


http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news
/uk_news/People/article1274582.ece?CMP=O
TH-gnws-standard-2013_06_16

"Had such a public revelation, it would have destroyed the career of one of the Conservative party's most revered figures, two years before his first term as prime minister." Sunday Times 16 June 2013.

It would be interesting to talk to Catherine Styles from New Zealand who claims that its her grandmother who was Disraeli's lovechild. I will keep you posted.

Interesting to read that History Today magazine ( http://www.historytoday.com) has an article about the history of drinking. That the expression Squiffy developed because Asquith was so well known for his drinking habits. The young Winston Churchill once had to pick him up off he House of Commons floor this was all covered up!

Thank you Susan Johnston of New Zealand for your comment .. that Conspiracy of Secrets  is a "fabulous book" and thank you for  putting a five star  review on Waterstone's website!

Morley: The birthplace of H.H.Asquith

I recently visited Morley in Yorks to give a talk to the local family history group about my book.

The sign on the gate to Croft House, where H.H.Asquith was born.

 The garden at Croft House.. was this an old water mill?

You can't see the front of the house 

The bust of Asquith in Morley Town Hall. Asquith was given freedom of the city. Violet Bonham Carter is daughter continued the family links with the town. ( I wonder if Venetia Stanley ever went.. I must find out!)

Morley is proud  ...

I felt very welcome in Morley with the Family History Group.
The audience was knowledgeable and asked some really good questions. Of course I dont know why some people act like they do .. but I guess we want to try and understand why some human beings behave!
I can guess why the politicians acted the way they did, but as for Stepfather I am not so sure, I know why.

Travelled by train and when I got to Morley station ( having looked it up on Google) .. I was going to walk to the venue .. but a really really nice lady saw my suitcase and asked where I was going .. she then insisted on taking me to the hall in her car.. ( very grateful as it was much longer than it looked and there were long flights of steps). thank you whoever you were ..

New booking .. talk to be given to the Lancashire Family History Group ( London division) at Brompton Library on March 22nd 2014 at 2.00 PM

Trip to Birthplace of H.H.Asquith

On my way to Morley the birthplace of Stepfather father! H.H.Asquith only lived there until he was four but he was given freedom of the city .. and when he went Violet of course went with him .. I wonder if Venetia Stanley also went?

Talk tonight at Kingsgate Tennis Club, Winchester .. come along .. I will talking about how Winchester came into my story numerous times .. all spooky!  Be there at 7.00 tonight June 3rd!