PRINCESS PHOEBE MEETS THE TUDORS

Candy Jar Books is delighted to announce the release of Princess Phoebe Meets the Tudors, the first children’s book by Sammy Winward. Having starred in the ITV soap Emmerdale for fourteen years, Sammy’s character left the show in dramatic fashion earlier this year. Since her exit, Sammy has been busy pursuing her long-standing interest in history. The result is Princess Phoebe, which follows the adventures of the eponymous princess as she travels through time meeting her illustrious ancestors.

The character of Princess Phoebe is dedicated to Sammy's own real-life princess – her ten-year-old daughter, Mia. Inspired by Mia's’s interest in tales of princesses of the past, Sammy’s book explores the lives of the Tudor Queen's Anne Boleyn, Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I. With the help of her mother’s magic book, Phoebe travels back to meet these figures and learn their stories. Sammy hopes that the strength and dignity of these characters has some important lessons for the modern girl. She said, “All girls love Disney movies, but there is another side to being a princess. I have always worried that, particularly as young females, we are brought up on a rich diet of fairy tale princesses whose single destiny seems to be that of meeting a handsome prince and living happily ever after. I have tried to do something very different, while still retaining the magic of these stories.” Educational and inspiring, Princess Phoebe shows that female empowerment is not just a modern day phenomenon, and teaches how it's not our circumstances that define us, but our actions.

Beautifully illustrated by Eric Heyman, Princess Phoebe Meets the Tudors was released on the 4th June 2015. To promote its release, Sammy has appeared on talk shows such as This Morning, and in OK! magazine and The Radio Times. Unable to fully leave acting behind, Sammy has also announced that she will be joining the cast of the hit ITV series Prey. She will be starring alongside Rosie Cavaliero and Philip Glenister in the second series.

Princess Phoebe Meets the Tudors by Sammy Winward retails at £6.99 and is currently available to order here.

ROYAL WATCHER ON HIS OWN PUBLIC TOUR!

Colin Edwards, author of the recently released photography book, A Personal Portrait of the Royal Family, is now on his own tour of the country to showcase his book to the public.

Colin Edwards proudly presents his book.

Now at 73, Colin is able to share a passion with others that he has enjoyed for over 50 years. From the very first moment his interest began during the H.M The Queen's coronation in 1953, he has devoted his time to meeting and photographing the Royal Family at a variety of public events and walkabouts.

In doing so, Colin has created a fascinating historical archive that captures the House of Windsor in some of their most endearing moments. Primarily featuring the three most popular Royals of the 20th century, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales, the book is perfect for any budding Royalist, with personal anecdotes providing insightful context into the photographs and their subjects.

As part of the promotional campaign for the book, Colin is now signing copies at a variety of sites. These include:

• Mold Library - Wednesday 30th April
• Wrexham Waterstones - Saturday 3rd May
• Chester Waterstones - Saturday 24th May
• Macclesfield Waterstones - Saturday 7th June
• Rhyl Library - Tuesday 10th June

More confirmed dates are to follow. If you'd like to know more about the book or to purchase a copy, visit us at www.candyjarbooks.co.uk, or at the book's website at www.candy-jar.co.uk/royalfamily.html.

EILEEN RECEIVES ROYAL MAIL

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on the horizon Sully resident Eileen Younghusband had a real surprise when she recently opened her post.

Whilst sifting through the usual assortment of bills, Eileen was surprised to see not one, but two envelopes bearing the Royal seal. The letters were in response to correspondence sent by Eileen, who had posted a copy of her book, One Woman’s War to both Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Charles. Eileen, who is 91 in July, was extremely proud to receive the letters. She said: “At such a busy time for the Royal Family I feel quite humble that they had time to write to me.”

Eileen, who is former a WAAF Officer, was five when Her Majesty was born. She has followed the Queen’s progress with great interest, especially when Her Majesty joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the female branch of the Army, in 1942.

Eileen still has vivid memories of the Coronation in 1953 and the Silver Jubilee in 1977. She said: “On the day of the Coronation I was at the Winter Gardens in Ventor, Isle of Wight. It was fantastic to see the young princess from the ATS ascend to greatness. During the Silver Jubilee we were in California, but watched it on US television. The Americans have always been Pro Royal and so the news channels were going mad over it. We drank a toast with fellow UK nationals and I erected a large Union Flag at the front of our house.”

During the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Eileen had moved to Wales for the festivities. This particular celebration holds a special place in Eileen’s heart as, having lost her husband. Eileen was alone and in a new community. Her new neighbours invited her to a Jubilee party and it was through the celebration of Her Majesty’s reign that Eileen felt welcomed and secure in her new environment.

This time around Eileen will be celebrating Her Majesty’s 60-year reign in a more significant way. Over 4000 beacons are to be lit on Monday 4th June. This will take place throughout the UK, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man along with the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories. One of these beacons will be lit in the small village of Sully where Eileen now resides. She said: “We have been granted a special honour. Having the letters, the lighting of the beacon and the Jubilee so close to my 91st birthday makes it all the more wonderful.”

In a recent YouTube message Eileen sent her best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen. She said: “Your Majesty, may I send you my personal thanks for the years of service you have rendered to our country. I hope you enjoy every glorious moment of the celebration of your Diamond Jubilee.”

Eileen’s book ‘One Woman’s War’ is available now from One Woman's War

Candy Jar Books

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