Anna Rashbrook's Blog, page 4

RELEASED TODAY!

After some sweltering weeks here in Wales, the most exciting week is ahead of me. Today, Lamplight to Sunlight is released! It’s available as eBook, paperback and hardback. If you click on the link above, it will take you into the first few pages for a preview.

I’m also looking forward to the book launch at Storyville books in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales on the 22nd. 18.30 to 20.00. If by chance any of you are in the area, you’re very welcome and I’d love to see you!

I also have a new Facebook page for everyone to share any memories, family tales, anecdotes and pictures. https://www.facebook.com/Pitponymemories

Here are some of the smashing 5 star reviews that have come in so far. If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think of it.

A beautiful book written about about the grit, grime, gloom and dangers of life down the mines from the ponies’ perspective. This book is a rich seam of valuable historical information about those lives and the lives of the miners facing the constant risk of injury and death as they went abut their work. That was until pit ponies careers in the mines ended in the late 1990’s, only a generation ago. Then they were brought to the surface forever from lamplight to sunlight, from pit to paddock to have second lives. It is not often an author’s words can make my eyes moisten. Anna managed it with a couple of these second life stories of the ponies and the people who gave them that chance to feel grass beneath their feet, sunshine on their backs and clean air to breath.

It is also a story that we can all take a lesson from. That is no matter how dark things get there will always be light.

An easy read that flows enthrallingly.

‘Written from the perspective of some of the pit ponies that left the mines to live new lives above ground, Lamplight to Sunlight is a wonderful account of ponies allowed to live their best lives after giving their all. Sensitively written, Anna incorporates her love of and experiences with horses with well researched facts to create some memorable characters. The retelling of her research is a meaningful preface to the stories that follow and provide us as readers with insight into some of the workings of the mines and the wonderful equines that made the life of the miners a little easier. An awesome read, that flows and draws you in from the first word. Often we are left wanting to know what happened next and this book tells you just that.’

June Newsletter; RELEASED TODAY!

 

Hi everyone,

After some sweltering weeks here in Wales, the most exciting week is ahead of me. Today, Lamplight to Sunlight is released! It’s available as eBook, paperback and hardback. If you click on the link above, it will take you into the first few pages for a preview.

I’m also looking forward to the book launch at Storyville books in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales on the 22nd. 18.30 to 20.00. If by chance any of you are in the area, you’re very welcome and I’d love to see you!

I also have a new Facebook page for everyone to share any memories, family tales, anecdotes and pictures. https://www.facebook.com/Pitponymemories

Here are some of the smashing 5 star reviews that have come in so far. If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think of it.

A beautiful book written about about the grit, grime, gloom and dangers of life down the mines from the ponies’ perspective. This book is a rich seam of valuable historical information about those lives and the lives of the miners facing the constant risk of injury and death as they went abut their work. That was until pit ponies careers in the mines ended in the late 1990’s, only a generation ago. Then they were brought to the surface forever from lamplight to sunlight, from pit to paddock to have second lives. It is not often an author’s words can make my eyes moisten. Anna managed it with a couple of these second life stories of the ponies and the people who gave them that chance to feel grass beneath their feet, sunshine on their backs and clean air to breath.

It is also a story that we can all take a lesson from. That is no matter how dark things get there will always be light.

An easy read that flows enthrallingly.

‘Written from the perspective of some of the pit ponies that left the mines to live new lives above ground, Lamplight to Sunlight is a wonderful account of ponies allowed to live their best lives after giving their all. Sensitively written, Anna incorporates her love of and experiences with horses with well researched facts to create some memorable characters. The retelling of her research is a meaningful preface to the stories that follow and provide us as readers with insight into some of the workings of the mines and the wonderful equines that made the life of the miners a little easier. An awesome read, that flows and draws you in from the first word. Often we are left wanting to know what happened next and this book tells you just that.’

Walking

God is good! We’ve been enjoying a week of wonderfully sunny weather and have made the most of it by heading up into the hills. The Mountain Ash valley does a bit of everything and we even went a bit further towards Maerdy, the other side of Aberdare. Swingle has had a ball, although there aren’t many streams around as it has been so dry, she’s found plenty of mud to bog snorkel in and cool down!

Hills, rocks, woods – lovely deciduous ones, there are so many hawthorn trees going nuts this year. Reservoirs, streams, old mine workings, very rocky paths, views of the beacons. Actually, I think this area is as good if not better!

A week off from church life too, but back with our kids club, with a seven week run until the summer holidays. We’ve been having up to 24 kids in and its been a fabulous chaos. Next week we have family visiting, then its re-building out pond which is leaking. The tadpoles are leaving as little black frogs. Funny, I never thought I’d hear myself saying we could do with a bit of rain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY NEWSLETTER

It’s been all go here! Cover reveal above. I’ve been given permission by the National coal Mining Museum to use this lovely picture by George Smith. The ponies on the cover wrote themselves into the book after I found this!

The book begins with a look at the history of those brave animals (and men) who gave their all over the years. I also looked at all I was able to read with a perspective of what we know today about horse behaviour. Then the ponies told their tales, beginning down the mines, then a lucky six, who were freed from the mine as it closed down. My research took me all over Wales, so the stories look at what other horses were doing too, becoming a celebration of horses.

The eBook is available on pre-order on Amazon. Release June 17th.

I’ll be having a launch party, reading and book signing at the wonderful Storyville books in Pontypridd. June 22nd 6 -7.30. Maybe if you are local to me, you’d like to come and join us, all welcome!

https://www.storyvillebooks.co.uk/

More to come on all this excitement next month. If you would like and advance copy in return for an Amazon review, please email me on annarashbrook@gmail.com

 

Never cast a clout till May is out!

No idea what this saying means! For some daft reason I thought this referred to blackthorn, but it’s hawthorn. This year the trees are amazing. Such a beautiful tree even if the scent can smell a bit fishy

Do you need a proof reader?

Photo by Antoni Shkraba on Pexels.com

I know many of you on here also write, so I’m doing a shameless promo for a friend who and editor and is just starting her business as a proof reader. She did a great job on my last book for me.  Good rates and as yet,  she’s not snowed under! Here’s her info.

Hello, my name is Gweno Hugh-Jones; I live in South Wales and I proofread text, finding and correcting mistakes.Proofreading is essential in presenting text to any audience, whether a book, academic paper, job application, blog, website or flyer. Well-written and mistake-free communication shows professionalism.I will examine grammar, punctuation, confusing sentences, spelling, omitted and repeated words, spacing and format so you can confidently present your work.I gained a Diploma in Proofreading and Editing from the College of Media and Publishing in 2016.Fees0.0125 per word, £12.50 per 1000 words. Final costs will depend on the genre and how many corrections I make.Contact: pennarproofreading@gmail.com

God’s work, not ours!

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So much is happening!

It’s now the beginning of May and my world is changing. We had our first Deacon’s meeting, which went really well, it didn’t take too long and we settled some issues. We had two of the old Deacons there, and they were a great help, I expect they’ll get a real thank you in church soon.

Then I had to write the minutes and that was a whole new thing to do, I’m just sending them out, so I’ll see what the feedback is.

BUT CHURCH!

We’ve had one new family, with three children arrive, so we now have Sunday school. Another lady with her small daughter, and her parents, and we had an amazing time of testimony in the service. Well, I only heard so much as I was doing Sunday school. Friday club had FIFTEEN kids last week.

Old carnal mine was moaning away on Sunday morning about missing my spiritual tank filling with being downstairs, but each time we take the kids down, I’m filled with a joy that comes only from Holy Spirit. Each time I’m in church, I’m rocking!

This is what the Lord has brought me here for. I can see the parallels with our lives here and in Austria, maybe it was a preparation for this, or a shadowing of the future, but this time I can do it full gas, throttle open, totally committed. In my own language. At home.

Right, off now to fix the photocopier!

Serving

This Easter has been a busy one, but at least the sun shone for the walk of witness through Mountain Ash. We had communion at the service afterwards and just before I had a poke in my back. ‘Marion says will you serve Communion as Chris isn’t here!’ I leapt out of my skin, but it was too late as Paul was already serving.

Afterwards, the muddle was sorted, but we had a big discussion about Easter Sunday,and how the new regime would like to change things. No longer very diluted blackcurrant cordial and odd bits of bread, but wine, grape juice and maybe some real unleavened bread. But things would stay as they were for present, after all none of the old deacons have actually left yet, nor have the new ones been inducted or even prayed in.

So, I was trying not to be nervous during the service, but it did make it difficult to concentrate, especially during the sermon as I was working the church in my head to see what way round I should go. Paul was great and called me to the front, after praying gave me the bread bowl and I took it round, trying to be reverent and slow. Many people made eye contact and said thank you, only a couple said Amen. Same again with the metal carrier of the little cups. Each time then took it from me and gave to me before taking himself. It was beautiful and simple and many of the old ladies said I did it well, I hope they weren’t just being kind!

It was only afterwards, I realised, what a privilege, honour and joy it had been to serve. That made up for being distracted from the so important Easter service.

The new role

I met with Jane our outgoing secretary a few days ago and we went through all the paperwork. It’s all fairly self explanatory and I think I should be able to get my head around it all. The new will meet the old later in the month and hand over officially.

What I can’t understand is why the church doesn’t have online banking and is still paying most things with cheques. She did say that they had tried for it but had been turned down. I’ll need to chat to the new treasurer and see what can be done. Maybe we’ll be able to open a new bank account if there aren’t too many direct debits, these can be a nightmare to change.

And the spiritual side of all this? Not there at present, this is like in Acts where Godly men were set aside to run the practical things to free up the preachers. I guess the spiritual aspect will grow over the next year as we seek what God wants us to do here.