Features

Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels Branch Out into Publishing

New children's book published in aid of Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels service.

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Published December 12, 2011, in Features

Not content with their televisual fame on the recent Hairy Bikers TV show, the ladies behind Slaithwaite’s Meals on Wheels service are putting out a children’s book.

Granny Splash and Walter Blue Wellies by Pam Wilkinson and Marsden artist Stephanie Bertenshaw is:

The story of a old lady and her wish to go outside and play in the rain and snow, but struggles to do so because she only wears slippers. So after buying some lovely new blue wellington boots, she soon discovers that even wellies have fears! But together they can overcome them and at the same time make a lovely friendship that lasts forever.

The book includes art from children at Wilberlee School and all profits will go to support Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels – a volunteer led community group that takes fresh, home cooked food to local elderly people every Wednesday.

You can buy a copy of Granny Splash and Walter Blue Wellies for a mere £5 here.

Slaithwaite’s Blooming Independent Comic Book Scene

"Too Much Sex and Violence" in the Colne Valley

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Published December 8, 2011, in Features

OK, the title of this post may be a slight exaggeration. I’m not sure if one man really constitutes a “scene”, let alone qualifies for it “blooming”. However it’s certainly true that there have been a great many fantastic quality independent comics published coming out of Slaithwaite over the years.

Rol Hirst started writing comics back in the early nineties with his small press comic The Jock. The series, set in a dystopian future, counted comic book celebrities such as Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Ultimate Fantastc Four, X-Men, Iron Man) and New York Times #1 best selling writer Tony Lee (2000AD, Doctor Who, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) among his fans.

After The Jock came Rol’s darkly comic anthology series: People Just Ain’t No Good (or PJANG for short). I can smugly say that I was in on the ground floor for this one, and relished each of the delightfully misanthropic issues as it dropped through my letterbox. If you are quick you might even be able to get your hands on your own copies at Rol’s online shop.

Never one to rest on his writing laurels Rol has recently teamed up with a number of different artists and started a brand new comic book: Too Much Sex and Violence.

In Rol’s own words:

Welcome to the northern seaside town of Fathomsby; home to retired super-heroes, monster DJs, mutant prostitutes, pier-owning gangsters, disgruntled policemen and a woman who knows exactly what you’re thinking about, whenever you’re thinking about…S-E-X.

Rol’s a passionate and talented writer and deserves to be supported by his local community as well as his hordes of enthusiastic fans (of which I most definitely am). So why not head over to his online comic shop and dip your toes in the wonderful world of small press comics.

You can also find Rol over on his blog Sunset Over Slawit, pontificating about music on The Mixtape Lives On, and an archive of some of his short stories over at Elephant Words.

He certainly does get around a bit.