On Friday 15th July 7.30pm, at The Bridge House Theatre, Gervase Phinn talked about his first novel for adults ‘The Little Village School’.

 Gervase Phinn’s first adult novel heralds the triumphant arrival on the fiction scene of  this much loved author …Gervase always gives wonderful value, and this evening was no exception as he had the large audience in the palm of his hand. Funnier than any comedian, but at the same time full of wise words, if you missed this event you really must try to see him another time. Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable….

 A critically damning school inspector’s report meant that a new Head Teacher had to be found for Barton-in-the-Dale Primary School. Whether it was the tight skirt, the stockings or the red shoes with silver heels, no one ever said, but there was only one candidate who stood out in the interview process. It took no time at all before Elisabeth Devine was installed, and the out-going Head Teacher, Miss Sowerbutts, was muttering and grumbling her tight-mouthed way into retirement.

Villages are small communities, though, and the gossip mill went into overtime as she, and her heels, were evaluated. Tongues wagged, judgments were made, friends fell out and enmities established. But against all this, Elisabeth worked her energetic magic on the school, the teachers, the pupils…and the recently widowed doctor and his silent young son. She began to realise, however, that no matter how well she did in changing the school’s fortunes, there was an agenda already in place for its future that she knew nothing about. Discovering it, and the devastation it would bring, means she had to rally her new friends in the village…and a motley bunch they were indeed – ranging from a precocious nine year old and the Lady of the Manor, to a caravan-dwelling grandfather and his mole-catching grandson. Fighting battles, both publicly and personally, and helping with other crises that rocked the community, Elisabeth realised just how much her new life meant to her.

A wonderfully entertaining story with heart-warming portraits of eccentric, gossiping adults and straight-talking children, this novel has all the light andshade of Gervase Phinn’s non-fiction Dales books.

GERVASE PHINN was a teacher, then General Adviser for Language Development in Rotherham before moving to North Yorkshire, where he spent ten years as a school inspector – which provided much source material for his books. He lives near Doncaster.

 This talk was arranged by Warwick Books for Warwick Words Xtra. We are delighted that Gervase’s publisher Hodder supported us in putting on this event. .