J.A.Ratcliffe - Julie Ratcliffe

Hands Across the Sea
Just how adventurous were our ancestors?
Researching postcards sent more than a hundred years ago reveals just how far they travelled – a British MP who was born in a log cabin in Tennessee, an 18-year-old girl who sailed with Robert Stephenson to Egypt and dined with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the West Country’s hard-working miners that found their way across the Atlantic – are connected with postcards. There’s even poor Lizzie who feared she’d be washed overboard as her steamer sailed to the Isle of Man.
If you’ve watched Who Do You Think You Are? and DNA Journey and thought it’s just celebrities who have interesting ancestors, think again!

https://mybook.to/SQgwSjU

Four churches that were part of my recent research trip. We also visited two private homes that are intrinsic to the story. We met some kind and very interesting people who happily gave me their time and knowledge. All part of my latest work, that I must do justice to.

This is a great story of social and local history. Helen , you'll love it, it involves a postcard!
The Save Rock Hall campaign is a great example of local people fighting, and winning, to preserve a local historic site.

From my X (Twitter) page.
Me with my great grandma. Our ancestors fought so hard for the right to . There are countries where a is just a dream. I've only just decided who to for, and it's not my ideal. But I will . Polls close at 10pm, you've plenty of time.

Town Bridge, Christchurch, by the millstream gets in all the photos, but what about the other large bridge over the Avon? Find out about Waterloo Bridge in my article for CHS in the latest free magazines, Mudeford Mag , the Bulletin, BH6&7. Out now. If you're not in the delivery are, you can read them online at themudefordmag.co.uk

The Bulletin | July 2024

Congratulations, Luke. I'm sure that you'll enjoy your new role Dorset View .

🚨BREAKING NEWS: Dorset View has a NEW editor 🚨

We are pleased to introduce our new editor, Luke Graham, who has been holding the reins of the magazine and the website since the start of June.

📰🗞️📰 An experienced writer and journalist, Luke has worked for several news organisations including The Sunday Times, CNBC and City A.M. since qualifying in 2015.

Luke joins Dorset View after a period of copywriting for a PR agency, and is excited to be back in the newsroom. ✏️✏️

"I'm very happy to be back writing and editing breaking news stories and reports. I want to thank the previous editor Janine Pulford and her family for giving me this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the Dorset community. I can't wait for you to pick up my first issue of Dorset View, out in July."

Please do reach out to Luke if you have a story to share, or a letter about your thoughts on anything happening in your local area. You can contact the editor here: https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/contact-the-editor/

Last time slot, and chance to hear about Christchurch smugglers buy my books at a bargain price at Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival . Here until 12noon.

That's my Georgian Christchurch talks done for the time being, now back to Smugglers! I have three free sessions at Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival Kids Zone this Saturday, 11am and 2pm and Sunday 11am. Find out what Christchurch smugglers got up to, with chat and readings from my books, the Smugglers'Town Mysteries.

Thank you for the mention Mudeford Mag !

📣 BH6&7 June is now available in print! This issue features a lovely update from Grounded Community, engaging book reviews and a fascinating article about the Waterloo Bridge by Julie Ratcliffe from the Christchurch History Society. Don't miss out! 📰📚🌉

Just a week to go until the . Come along to hear tales of the Christchurch smugglers! Saturday, 12 noon and 2pm, Sunday 11am. Free event.

Doesn't this look fabulous. Promoting and encouraging writers worldwide. Congratulations Gopakumar Radhakrishnan !

Something to inspire any writer. Awesome display from Mother Nature last night.

Look out for the latest issue of , and &7 Magazines. My latest article for is about The Old Town Hall.

📢 Mudeford Mag May edition is hot off the press! 📰 Don't miss out on your chance to enter the Regent Centre Competitions before May 17th! Plus, get all the details on the exciting D-Day:80 event in Christchurch and join HHO in their bid to reopen the outdoor education centre. Grab your copy today! 🎉 📚🎉

Yes, it was a most interesting talk and food for thought on the logistics of Henry VIII's visits to the town. Pleased to have played a small part in setting up this meeting. It's great that Christchurch Town Council values the town's historic heritage.

On Friday the wonderful Historic Royal Palaces held a lecture as part of Henry VIII on Tour in Christchurch, it was fascinating to hear of the number of visits the King had to Christchurch and the learn more about the cultural significance of the Priory. 🌟👍

Did you see any of Henry VIII on Tour over the weekend? 👏

Viv Charrett - Mayor and Christchurch Town Councillor Historic Royal Palaces

I'm looking forward to taking my smugglers stories to Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival next month. Pop along and say hello. My sessions are 12 noon and 2pm Saturday and 11am Sunday.

This is such sad news, though I knew he was poorly. I have all his books and enjoyed every word. It was the Shardlake books that inspired my own Smugglers' Town Mysteries.
His novels are so well researched and provide an amazing sense of place and time. It was after reading the fourth book, Revelation, that I had my eureka moment, that I wanted to write exciting adventures that have a historically correct context, only mine would be for children.
Oh, how I would have loved to have read book eight, Ratcliff. RIP, CJ Sansom and thank you.

BBC News - CJ Sampson, author of bestselling Shardlake series, dies aged 71 - BBC Website

CJ Sampson, author of bestselling Shardlake series, dies aged 71 The Scottish author was working on an eighth Shardlake novel when he died, his editor says.

Pleased to have played a small.part in this.

Henry VIII comes to Christchurch Priory More than 500 years after his visit to the Priory, Henry VIII is returning to Christchurch thanks to the Historic Royal Palaces and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The Mudeford Mag, along with The Bulletin and BH6 and 7, latest editions are out now. Look out for my latest piece for Christchurch History Society, this time on The Old Town Hall.

📢 Mudeford Mag April edition is hot off the press! 📰 Get ready for a fantastic lineup featuring a Regent Centre competition, puzzles, valuable RNLI information and a delectable recipe from SALT Cø - Private Chef and Chocolatier. Don't miss out on your copy! 🎉🍽️🧩📚

The Old Town Hall is a Grade II nationally listed building. Meaning it is of national architectural and historical importance. Congratulations to Christchurch Town Council for their commitment to it. I'm happy to be the guest speaker at one of the events.

✂️ Grand reopening of the Old Town Hall in Christchurch

Renovation of the Old Town Hall began in September and was commissioned by Christchurch Town Council following concerns about the deteriorating roof and stonework.

The project involved external stonework and building repairs, roofing work and lead restoration on the top elevation.

As well as this, the Town Hall has been refurbished internally and now features new bathrooms, kitchen facilities, carpets and decoration.

It is open for the public to visit on Saturday 16 March.

Read more 👇

https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/grand-reopening-of-the-old-town-hall-in-christchurch/

A lovely find in the CHS archive yesterday. From a time when people got about with a different kind of horsepower, a 1905 catalogue from B J Tucker, High Street. It also had boating items and the tide times.