Tales from Moseley Bog
Coming shortly as a Tale from Moseley Bog is a new book for children written by local author Vivienne Wilkes.
The book is published by The Baldric Press. The story is set in historic Moseley Bog in Birmingham, not far from Sarehole Mill in Hall Green. Mystery and adventure intrude on the lives of some of the smaller inhabitants of Moseley Bog!
Who are ‘The Voles of Old’? And what might they mean to this pocket of old-fashioned natural beauty within the large, modern city? What of the sinister ‘bane’ that might threaten old and new residents alike? It is up to two youngsters to investigate…
Vivienne Wilkes has been writing plays and pantomimes and adapting existing stories into plays for more years than she cares to remember. She is involved with several drama organisations within the Birmingham area including Shire Productions (see the website link on the main page of this site) a company dedicated to out-of-door productions.
The Voles of Old was inspired one workday in Moseley Bog as Penny Marriott, a Ranger with The Shire Country Park, was examining the stream for signs of water voles. It was a cold day, but the sun streamed through the trees and the light sparkled off the water near to the burnt mound and seeds of an idea drifted down.
Vivienne has lived in Hall Green within a mile of Moseley Bog (as the heron flies) since her marriage in 1970. Her father’s family has lived in the area for over two centuries. She has been part of the Moseley Bog Conservation Group for some years now, enjoying the work and company involved with helping to maintain this important nature reserve within The Shire Country Park. Moseley Bog exists because of the efforts of Joy Fifer (after whom Joy’s Wood is named) who worked tirelessly to protect the area, and Bob Blackham, who leads the conservation group today.
Tales from Moseley Bog will be available, price £7.99, at the forthcoming Middle Earth Weekend to be held at Sarehole Mill on the 17th and 18th of May. For further information on ‘The Voles of Old’ please refer to the Shire Productions Website or email Vivienne as VWi8327963@aol.com
