Shropshire Tourist Information and Visitor Guide

There could be no more fitting place for the launch of Eileen Sandford’s autobiography: the Market is at the hub of Shrewsbury, and the life and people of Shrewsbury are at the heart of the book. But there is much more than Shrewsbury in the book. Her character is writ large, and there are several photos of her in unusual guises. One Harlescott youth, (who was amongst the first to be awarded an ASBO), described Eileen Sandford as ‘having the appearance of a rhino on steroids - but underneath there's a heart of gold’. Typically, Eileen had the guts to include this ‘eulogy’ in her book.

It has been stitched together, collated, improved, thinned down, censored, added to, until now it is a marvellous account of her ‘life full of experiences'. It is not narrowly parochial, though Shrewsbury, and especially Harlescott, and her year as Mayor - is inevitably the mainstay. She grew up before the Second World War. Then, during the war, amongst other things, had to avoid molotov bombs, learn the Morse Code and train as a physiotherapist. Then she went out to Nigeria with husband Hugh in the Colonial Civil Service, setting up the Girl Guides for the Region, before returning to the UK, to a new life with two children successfully adopted, and the running of a horticultural nursery in Sussex. These are amongst the various experiences described. The 76 pages of photos are full of colourful surprises too: they are almost a book in themselves, covering such a wide range of countries and events.

Pengwern Books have supported many local authors. Susan Caroline has teamed up with Kate Gittings and the Management of the Market Hall, and with surrounding stalls, to create an exciting ambience, with fizz and nibbles for the attendees. Graphics and Print of Telford has produced a magnificent coffee-table tome. Shrewsbury Words have helped facilitate the supreme achievement of completing an autobiography at the age of 87. All are welcome to the book signing. An official invitation is obtainable from SHREWSBURY WORDS 01743 366933 Email: mikewillmott@unicombox.co.uk, on presentation of which £5 will be deducted from the £25 cover price. Proceeds from the clear profits will be donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance, who will also be present at the launch.