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Dannie Abse
One of Britain’s most widely-read and admired poets, Dannie Abse has also written fiction, plays and several acclaimed volumes of autobiography. In 2002 his novel, “The Strange Case of Dr Simmonds & Dr Glas”, was long-listed for the Booker Prize.
Steven Ash
Steven Ash grew up on an Ontario reservation and has inherited an extraordinary healing ability from his father, Dr Michael Ash, the reservation doctor. Steven has studied Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Tai Chi and Chi Kung and has an honorary doctorate in dowsing. He practises worldwide as a consultant in geopathic stress, dowsing and environmental energy management. He lives in Surrey in the UK with his wife Renata, a healer and author.
Stephen Arnott
Stephen Arnott is a prolific journalist and writer whose previous books include Laugh, Cackle and Howl, Peculiar Proverbs and Now Wash Your Hands.
Vicky Eames (aka Wife of Brian)
Vicky Eames (aka Wife of Brian) started knitting beards about three years ago, and hasn’t stopped since. The original beard was made for a friend, but proved so popular that her shop Wife of Brian was born, along with moustaches, eyebrows and other fuzzy delights. Vicky’s proper job is in theatre, which means she has lots of creative inspiration for her designs, as well as like-minded people to humour her. Some of Vicky’s beardy creations are currently starring in a Shakespearean production. Having previously attained a degree in Mathematics, Vicky believes her balance of geek and artist was inevitably going to lead her to such bonkers endeavours as designing entertaining knitted treats. You can check out Vicky’s hairy wares at www.wifeofbrian.com.
Simon Armstrong
<p>Simon Armstrong is the Book Buyer for Tate Modern and Tate Britain, a writer, record collector and DJ. He lives in London.</p>
Various authors
Various authors, drawn from the cutting edge of UK music and the arts have contributed to this outstanding collection. They include Billy Bragg, Nicholas Hogg, Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Will Hodgkinson, Alan Donohoe (The Rakes), Billy Childish and Kate Jackson (The Long Blondes).
Robert Allen
Robert Allen is the author of several successful books and Director of Mensa Psychometrics.
Sharon Amos
Sharon Amos has written about gardening for Saga Magazine, Country Homes &amp; Interiors, Period Living and the Guardian, among others. She is also the author of Great Plants for Tough Places and Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden. In her own garden she relies on plants self-feeding to create new effects every year – she’s what you might call a laissez-faire gardener.
Ian Allen
Ian Allen is the compiler of several joke books and a cricket quiz book, and has been a member of the National Trust for decades. He loves the wide range of properties and the epic sweep of the landscape of the Trust, but is even more interested in the quirky stories that lie behind the history.
Lucy Anna Scott
<p><strong>Lucy Anna Scott </strong>is a writer with an artistic interest in stories that explore how plants, trees and landscapes help us better understand ourselves. She co-created <em>Lost in London</em>, an indie magazine that explored the city’s wild landscapes. Her previous books include <em>Lost in London: adventures in the city’s wild outdoors</em> and <em>My Tiny Garden</em>.</p>
Dominique Elöise Alexander
Dominique is a recipe developer, baker and food stylist by trade. She works primarily with TasteMade curating recipes for their video content. She can also be found in Bee’s Bakery making and decorating cakes. She lives in East London.
John Alexander
John Alexander’s mother, Jennifer Alexander, was born into an army family in the early 1920s. She lived a full life; spending her childhood in India and travelling throughout Europe before air travel became unremarkable.
During the Second World War, Jennifer served in the WRNS, hopping on planes to London for the weekend from her naval airstation in the Lowlands. Afterwards, Jennifer had two stints working at Queen magazine in the 1950s.
In 1960 Jennifer married and the following year moved into the house in Surrey where the contents of Granny’s Kitchen Cupboard were brought to light more than 50 years later.