Dennis is made up, to show what a book can hold. Every chapter below is set as it might open on the page: the first lines, the place, and a clue from the time.
An example life, made up to show what a book can hold. Not a client.
A life, in their own words
Dennis
Colchester, 1937 to today
Set down from conversations with Amanda
Chapter 1 Illustrative
1937 to 1945
“I was born in the back bedroom of a terraced house off the High Street. When the war ended the whole street built a bonfire, and Dad lifted me on to his shoulders to see it.”
Where A terrace off the High Street
In the book Chapter 1 opens on page 1.
No. 14,206One penny
The Evening Kestrel
Tuesday 8 May 1945
Victory in Europe
Today is VE Day. A holiday for the whole country.
Bonfires were lit in streets all over the country.
Chapter 2 Illustrative
1945 to 1953
“The prefabs went up behind the school after the war. We thought the families in them were rich, because they had a fridge.”
Where The school, north of the river
In the book Chapter 2 opens on page 12.
No. 16,690Coronation edition
The Evening Kestrel
Tuesday 2 June 1953
The Queen is crowned
Westminster Abbey this morning. And news that Everest has been climbed.
The Queen on the palace balcony after the Coronation.
Chapter 3 Illustrative
1953 to 1958
“I started on the factory floor at sixteen, sweeping metal shavings for four pounds a week.”
Where The Works, by the Hythe
In the book Chapter 3 opens on page 24.
Chapter 4 Illustrative
1958 to 1962
“She turned me down twice at the dance hall. The third time I asked her to the pictures instead, and she said yes.”
Where The dance hall in town
In the book Chapter 4 opens on page 35.
1959
The Starlight Rooms
Dancing every Saturday
Vic Harland and his Orchestra. Eight till half past eleven.
Admission 2/6
Chapter 5 Illustrative
1963 to 1970
“We got the keys to our house on the new estate in the summer of 1966. Half the road watched the final in our front room, before we had curtains up.”
Where The new estate, Shrub End
In the book Chapter 5 opens on page 47.
No. 20,710Sports final
The Evening Kestrel
Saturday 30 July 1966
England win the World Cup
Four goals to two against West Germany at Wembley, after extra time.
Chapter 6 Illustrative
1971 to 1974
“My mother never trusted the new pennies. A year later we were out on strike at the Works, and I still have opinions about it.”
Where The Works, by the Hythe
In the book Chapter 6 opens on page 58.
No. 22,0903p
The Evening Kestrel
Monday 15 February 1971
New money day
From today a pound is 100 new pence.
The new halfpenny.
Chapter 7 Illustrative
1975 to 1991
“Thirty-eight years after I started, they gave me a clock and a cup of tea in the same building.”
Where The Works, by the Hythe
In the book Chapter 7 opens on page 70.
Chapter 8 Illustrative
Today
“Nobody had ever asked me to say any of that out loud before, let alone write it down.”
Where Wivenhoe, today
In the book Chapter 8 opens on page 82.
The news on the day and the adverts in the paper, recreated to show the feel. The events and dates are real; the newspaper names and brands are invented.
The Morning Imprint
Tuesday 8 May 1945Victory editionOne penny
It's VE Day
The war in Europe is over. Today is a holiday.
Germany has surrendered. The Prime Minister will speak to the nation this afternoon, and today and tomorrow are holidays.
Bonfires and bunting in every street
Recreated for this design. The event and date are real; the newspaper is invented.
1937
Ashlow's
Malted Cocoa
A cup at bedtime
and sleep like a top
In the red tin, from your grocer
Invented brand, set for this design.
1958
The Starlight Rooms
Every Saturday
Saturday dancing, eight till eleven
Vic Harland and his Orchestra
Ladies two shillings, gentlemen half a crown
Invented brand, set for this design.
The Morning Imprint
Tuesday 2 June 1953Coronation editionOne penny
The Queen is crowned
Westminster Abbey, and the news that Everest has been climbed
Queen Elizabeth II is crowned in Westminster Abbey. News reached London this morning that Everest has been climbed.
Crowds round every television set
Recreated for this design. The event and date are real; the newspaper is invented.
The Morning Imprint
Saturday 30 July 1966Sports finalOne penny
England win the World Cup
4-2 against West Germany at Wembley, after extra time
England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley after extra time. Geoff Hurst scored three.
Celebrations go on into the night
Recreated for this design. The event and date are real; the newspaper is invented.
Front pages and adverts are recreated for this site: the events and dates are real, the newspaper names and brands are invented. Photographs are public domain or CC0 archive images, credited under each one.
Bespoke
For a story that does not fit the usual shape: several people, an unusual format, or a deadline. Anything beyond the usual shape is quoted individually.
Nobody had ever asked me to say any of that out loud before, let alone write it down.
