Consett author Anthony Pickup with his latest novel 'Darkness - The corruption of Sarah Jane'.
Warehouseman turned writer Anthony Pickup has penned his own success story after his talents were snapped up by a New York publishing house.
His first book, a period thriller entitled Darkness – the corruption of Sarah Jane, has now gone on sale via major on-line book sites such as Amazon and W H Smith.
Anthony, who gave up his job to become a full-time carer for his wife Julie after she had suffered a stroke, turned to writing when he found he had time on his hands.
Julie went off to day centre a few times a week and I got bored sitting around the house. I decided to sign up for a creative writing course and my tutor encouraged me to send the Sarah Jane story off to agents.
“It was picked up by Eloquent Books and the book has just gone into print. It’s amazing really but I have found it a great experience and now I am working on another couple of storylines.
“The story is set in the 19th century and I did all my research at the library just round the concern from where I live. The novel has now been ordered and will go on the book shelves soon” said Arthur of Harvey Court, Consett.
Consett library staff prepare to celebrate the branch's 50th anniversary (L - R) Judith Stafford, Liz Tavner, Karen Dews, Liz Goldsborough and Julie Toole.
And his local library is also in celebratory mood as it prepares to mark it’s 50th anniversary next week with a series of ‘birthday’ events and exhibitions.
Pictures by Mary Kipling of the Four Seasons in Consett, which were painted for the junior library in 1959, have been cleaned, framed and re-hung.
There will also be photographic displays, a diorama of the Consett Iron Company Tarplant built by Chris Kelly and exhibitions of items from the 1950s.
A series of talks will start on Monday, July 6 from 6pm to 7pm when John Milburn will discuss family history in the local area.
Other talks include Kevin McNamee of Castleside Historical Society, on the History of the iron company on Tuesday, July 7 from 6pm to 7pm and Michelle Ball, from Beamish Museum, with an opportunity to handle clothes and other objects from 50 years ago on Thursday, July 9 from 6pm to 7pm.
A coffee morning is to be held on Saturday July 11, when it is hoped that people who recall Consett in the past will reminisce and share their memories with younger people.
“The golden anniversary is a major event in the history of the library and an opportunity for younger and older generations to get together to explore their local heritage. We hope our celebration events will encourage even more people to join the library and discover all the different things we have to offer,” said library group manager, Liz Tavner.
