Author and co-founder of the Vale Rawlings Project Community Interest Company Elaine Pritchard will have stands at two major East Staffordshire events in July.
It will be a chance to buy a copy of her latest book, Friendship, Love & Truth, which raises money for Burton-based charities YMCA Burton and SARAC, and find out about the other forgotten Burton stories that she promotes.
Burton Regatta is one of the oldest sporting events in the country. This year it celebrates its 160th birthday with two days of races on the River Trent by rowing clubs from across the country.
Burton Regatta – July 11th
Elaine will be there on the Saturday only, July 11th, selling copies of her Vale Rawlings book Friendship, Love & Truth and commemorative postcards of Vale, reproduced from ones originally sold by the Independent Labour Party in 1914 when he was released from Derby gaol. At this event she will also be running a fund-raising tombola.
She explained: “I’m very proud to have a presence at this historic event, which celebrates tradition and community spirit. Another of my forgotten Burton stories is that of Victorian fairground and cinema entrepreneurs Orton & Spooner. The Spooner family were closely involved with the sport of rowing in the town for many years. Charles Spooner helped to organise the regatta and was also a member of Burton’s Leander Rowing Club and the Trent Rowing Club, which jointly organise this event. When his only son Jack was married, eight friends formed a guard of honour outside St Modwen’s Church holding up oars to create an arch. I’ll take along some information about these two great entrepreneurs and the businesses they founded to share on my stand along with information about Stapenhill’s First World war humanitarian Lily Thomas.”
The regatta is held on the Washlands, close to the Ferry Bridge. Access for vehicles is via Watson Street and visitors can pay to park. Entry for spectators is free and races are held between approximately 8am/9am both days – July 11th and 12th – until around 5pm/6pm.
Barton Steam Rally – July 18th & 19th
A week later, there will be a Forgotten Burton Stories stand on both days of the Barton under Needwood Steam Rally and Family Festival, July 19th and 19th. This event is held on the outskirts of Barton Under Needwood at Needwood Rise Farm, Barton Gate, Barton Under Needwood, DE13 8AP.
There will be vintage vehicles on display, miniature train rides, have-a-go activities, trade and craft stalls, and lots, lots more. Admission will be £9 with accompanied children aged 16 and under going free. All proceeds from the event go to the Midlands Air Ambulance charity.
At this event, Elaine will be displaying information and pictures about all three ‘forgotten’ local stories: Orton & Spooner; Lily Thomas and Vale Rawlings.
If you’ve been meaning to buy a copy of Friendship, Love & Truth and want to avoid paying postage and packing, why not come along to one of these two events, meet Elaine and buy a copy by cash or card?
If you cannot attend either events, copies, priced at £15.99, can also be bought from the offices of YMCA Burton and SARAC in Burton or via the Vale Rawlings page on the fundraising platform Kofi – https://ko-fi.com/valerawlingscic