I'm delighted that the Derby Telegraph has been able to feature my new collection of 'nostalgedy' stories in today's edition. You can find the online version here and below is the print edition.
This the content:
By Jane Goddard (13/12/17)
Readers who enjoy PhilipWhiteland's amusing monthly trips down memory lane in Bygones are in for a real treat.
For the Doveridge-based author has just published his fifth collection of stories, which consist of both 'nostalgedy' (Philip's own term for a mixture of nostalgia and comedy) and other observational pieces in which he takes a wry look at times past and present.
Every one of his previous books has had a theme and the structure for this one came, he tells me, while he was idly munching a chocolate bar.
He said "You know, that one which used to promise to help you work, rest and play? Well, this book consists of Work, Play and the Rest."
In the section covering "work", Philip recalls joining the ranks of the employed at the beginning of the 1970s, firstly as an inept packer of plastics before moving to "a nice dry job with no heavy lifting" in a dark, satanic paper mill.
We learn about his struggles with punctuality, the difficulties of working in the darkness of the Three-Day-Week and why he had a real reason to be grateful for Ted Heath.
"Play" brings together an eclectic mix of tales of a boozy holiday in Franco's Majorca in the 1970s, a fleeting role in a "Look at Life" documentary, singer and entertainer Cilla Black, soap operas, an insight into the Cultural Quarter of Stoke-on-Trent and some tales from a trip to Australia.
Finally, "the Rest"shovels up everything that wouldn't fit into the first two.
This includes a tour around a pub in the 1960s, getting a brace fitted at the dentist's, difficulties with sanitary arrangements, why grass should be left alone, why shopping with your wife is an overrated pastime, a grumble about grammar and why it is absolutely fine to be a NIMBY.
And, with a return to the chocolate theme, not forgetting some "Mis-shapes" at the end.
All of this literary delight is wrapped up with the title article, "The Things You See..." which Philip assures is not for the faint-hearted!
"The Things You See..." by Philip Whiteland is only available as a Kindle e-book edition, priced at £1.99* You can find the book at http://mybook.to/ThingsYouSee
* Although this will be the regular price, the book is currently on offer at the introductory price of £1.49
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