To mark the beginning of spring, Lower Woodford-based publisher Chalk Stream Books has released an ‘unbelievable’ book about working country life in Wiltshire.
The book, Unbelievable! A Working Country Life, introduces Martin Aris, a farmer, river keeper and self-confessed mischief-maker who has spent his life in and around the natural world of Wiltshire and the Cotswolds.
New author Victoria Walsh met Martin after moving to the county with her partner. They had always loved hearing Martin’s hilarious stories about country life: of a naughty little boy growing up in the 1950s and 60s Cotswolds, of moving to Wiltshire as a cheeky young farmer, and ending up a wise but still sparky river keeper.
It was these stories, and Martin’s thought-provoking reflections about nature and life, which sparked the idea for the book. Victoria was determined that this wasn’t to be any old countryside book, however: Unbelievable! focuses on working-class rural life (so often ignored) and contains not just nature but poaching, punch-ups and more.
Unusually, it’s also written phonetically, in Martin’s Cots-Wilts accent, and embellished with expletives.
Victoria said: “People love books about the countryside, but why do they all tend to be about posh people or the life cycle of the lapwing? Unbelievable! should make you laugh out loud, and reflect on a life well lived.”
Unbelievable! has plenty of local and historic interest, and with it, Victoria is keen to support local businesses.
The book has been produced by Chalk Stream Books, part of Wiltshire’s Riverside Publishing Solutions Ltd, and has been illustrated beautifully by Wiltshire artist Alex Crump. Victoria is also supporting a good cause, as 10% of profits will be donated to The Angling Trust.
The book costs, £13.99 hardback, £5.99 eBook.