TWO STUDLEY men will be launching their first book, detailing all their lives in the village with the profits going to charity.
Arthur Cooke and Roger Thomas grew up in Studley during the 1950s and 60s.
Although they have both moved away, they have always had a strong connection to the village.
Both credit Studley for inspiring their creativity and writing ‘The Adventures of Two Studley Lads’.
Roger said:”It was the countryside that first inspired me to paint.
“I was buying oil paints out of my earnings from doing a paper round before I was 11 years of age.”
Arthur said: “My love of stories came from my grandparents and it was there when my interest in our family history and of the village of Studley began.
“I would sit on the stories told to me and this inspired me to write articles in the Studley Historian (SH).
“This began with encouraging words from a lifelong friend, the late John Shakles to whom this book is dedicated.
“My first article ‘The Swimming Pools of Studley’ is in Issue 3 and I have been writing articles for the magazine ever since.
“It is difficult to explain, but when I write about Studley, I’m back in the village of my childhood.”
When discussing Studley, they both loved the idea of writing a book.
Roger added: “It is not simply a collection of articles and paintings but the story of our early years in post-war Studley.
The book launch is tomorrow (Saturday, December 3) at The Parish Centre, running from 12pm until 4pm.
Arthur and Roger will both be available to sign copies.
The proceeds of the book will be donated to Studley Parish Lands Charities.
Visit brewinbooks.com/the_adventures_of_two_studley_lads/ to purchase a copy.
