A freelance features writer who has lived in various parts of the Cotswolds for most of her life Gillian Broomhall is passionate about all things Cotswold
- an interest that has resulted in numerous published articles & photographs highlighting the beauty & heritage of this special part of the world. She currently lives in the Stroud Valleys where she spends time writing co-managing a videogames audio consultancy & attempting to master the pipe organ. Did You Know? A little-known group called The Beatles played Stroud Subscription Rooms in the early 1960s supported by the Rebel Rousers. The council politely requested no Teddy Boys & asked the Ladies not to wear stiletto heels. A unique dinosaur specimen discovered on Minchinhampton Common in the Cotswolds is held at the Natural History Museum London. So-called witch Joan Perry along with her two sons was hanged on Broadway Hill for the murder of William Harrison
- the supposed victim turned up alive & well some time later. Several examples of stocks can be found in the Cotswolds today
- including a magnificent seven-holer outside the Town Hall at Winchcombe (the locals will tell you that Winchcombe once had a one-legged rogue).


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Did you know? A new species of cat-like dinosaur yet to be named was discovered on the Isle of Wight in 1988 Darwin began his world famous On the Origin of the Species while staying at the Kings Head Hotel There are 21 tourists to every Island resident The Little Book of the Isle of Wight is a funny fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous fantastic or simply strange information which no one will want to be without. The Islands most eccentric inhabitants blood-curdling murders & literally hundreds of facts combine to make this required reading for locals & visitors alike. Illustrated with humorous cartoons & delivered with wit & flair this captivating compendium is almost impossible to put down. ...

With 980 million passengers a year more than 250 miles of track literally hundreds of different stations & a history stretching back nearly 150 years the worlds oldest underground railway might seem familiar but actually how well do you know it? Do you know for example who the Queen sat next to when she first went on the Tube in 1939? Or what they did with all the earth dug out to make way for the Piccadilly Line? Or indeed why it is that without the common shipworm Teredo navalis the Tube network might not even exist? Thought not. But now with 10 000 wacky facts at your fingertips The Little Book of the London Underground" will tell you everything you need to know
- & plenty more that your probably dont."
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Following the success of Little Owl's Book of Thinking" Ian Gilbert now introduces " The Little Book of Thunks". A Thunk is a beguiling question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks & helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. The Thunks in this book cover most areas of human existence including truth justice reality beliefs the natural world the human condition art beauty existence right & wrong good & bad life & death war religion love friendship & whether Marmite tastes nice. Examples include: If I borrow a million pounds am I a millionaire? Could a fly cause an aeroplane to crash? Are you man-made or natural? Do dogs believe in God? When you comb your hair is it art? The book contains a comprehensive introduction by Ian who guides you through the origins & uses of Thunks & how best to use them. Not only are they a fun way to develop thinking skills but they also hit all the right buttons in the National Primary Strategy ' Creative Thinking' strand where children are encouraged to: generate imaginative ideas to stimuli; look at & think about things differently & from other points of view; & 'ask "why" "how" "what if" or unusual questions'. This is a great resource for teachers to use in the classroom
- & remember there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. How liberating is that...?"
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Tell us what youre doing in 140 characters or less: thats the basic premise of Twitter & its taken the world by storm. There are now over one million Tweeters who update their status & follow the statuses of others on a daily basis including such well-known names as Stephen Fry Boris Johnson Jonathan Ross & Barack Obama. Twitter has been transformed in a few short months from a nerdy pastime of computer geeks to an international phenomenon. In The Little Book of Twitter" Tim Collins will give you all the information you need to get up to speed & become a bona fide Tweeter including: how to get started; the weirdest & wittiest Twitter feeds; the netiquette of Twitter; the best celebrity Tweeters; & tweeting at work. Your shortcut to the world of Twitter " The Little Book of Twitters" accessible & humorous style will have you Tweeting with the good & the great in no time." ...

The Little Book of Wellbeing is a must for men & women of all ages
- a simple little guide to a much better life. Nikki Page is
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The Little Book of West Ham" contains a selection of pithy or amusing"ations about West Ham United & the colourful characters that have passed through Upton Park. From Ron Greenwoods football philosophies
- simplicity is genius
- & the clubs joy at having three England World Cup-winners though to their FA Cup success & the Premiership stars of today this highly entertaining book contains more than 185"es by & about West Ham United. This is a perfect book for dipping into as there is no order to the"ations though some follow specific themes."

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This new edition of a best-seller shows how to create useful & whimsical objects. Expert guidance presented in a friendly straightforward style that reflects the quiet simplicity of the craft. It provides all the instruction & inspiration you'll need to become an accomplished whittler. Relax the old-fashioned way
- Whether you're in front of a campfire or on the front porch The Little Book of Whittling" will help you unwind while you create useful & whimsical objects with nothing more than a pocketknife a twig & a few minutes of time. Author Chris Lubkemann with 40 years of whittling experience under his belt will have you "whittling away the hours" with expert guidance presented in a friendly straightforward style that reflects the quiet simplicity of the craft. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started in the most basic form of woodcarving or someone simply seeking a peaceful way to spend some free time " The Little Book of Whittling" provides all the instruction & inspiration you'll need to become an accomplished & relaxed whittler."
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As the spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama has captured the attention & admiration of the world through his wisdom. This jewel of a book offers some of his most helpful insights on daily living inner peace compassion & justice
- for all of us in these troubled times.
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Courage is sometimes found in the unlikeliest places.. . Dominic is a sixteen year-old man-child: while he has the body of a prize-fighter as a result of a terrible seizure when he was a small child he has been left with the mind of a child. In the centre where he spends his days Dominic is a challenge & an inspiration: someone who struggles against the odds & whose every victory over his limitations is a cause for celebration. But when a new member of staff at the centre breaks a sacred trust the fall-out is horrific & Dominic becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Little Boy Lost" is the story of Dominics brave battle to face up to betrayal & show
- one more time
- that he is a survivor."

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