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The enchanting childhood memoirs of bestselling author Miss Read.Miss Read's early days were spent with two remarkable grandmothers - one in Lewisham and one in Walton-on-the-Naze. EARLY DAYS is full of childhood memories of an extended family of uncles, aunts and cousins and their houses full of mystery and adventure, where Miss Read spent so much time, living in the shadow of the First World War.At the age of seven, Miss Read moved to the small village of Chelsfield, Kent, into a magical new world - and so began her love of the English countryside which was to have such a strong influence on her career as a writer. Her evocative descriptions of the village school, the joys of exploring the woods and lanes rich in wildlife and of childhood events, from toffee-making to the treat of a lift on the corn-chandler's cart, vividly convey this time as one of the happiest of her life.

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The village school is a hundred years old and headmistress Miss Read is fully occupied planning the festivities.VILLAGE CENTENARY welcomes us back to Fairacre just in time for the one hundredth anniversary of the village school. Such a centenary should be celebrated, and all of Fairacre is quick to offer suggestions - from a tea party to a pageant. Deciding how best to stage the grand occasion, however, is only one of Miss Read's problems. The ancient skylight in the school is leaking, and Mr Willet, the school caretaker, fears that replacing it will be a difficult job. The new teacher, Miss Briggs, fresh from college and full of idealistic theories, proves a thorn in Miss Read's side. The vicar has decided to keep bees. And Mrs Pringle is her usual dour self.But the seasons continue to change, and the centenary year unfolds with its hopes and fears, its memories and forecasts, its friendships and feuds. VILLAGE CENTENARY marks yet another delightful year in the company of our favourite Fairacre friends.

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It's spring in Thrush Green - but the new season brings far more than the villagers anticipate...Thrush Green is buzzing with gossip, which everyone is keen to share with two ex-schoolteachers, who have returned to visit their friends in the village. The old schoolhouse has just been sold, and the villagers are eager to welcome the new owners, the Lesters. Alan Lester seems to be perfectly pleasant, but rumours soon circulate about his wife, Margaret. Equal cause for speculation is the odd behaviour of long-standing resident Bertha Lovelock. And what of farmer Percy Hodge? Can he really be contemplating marriage to the rather wayward Doreen Lilly?

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Miss Read looks forward to her retirement - but it doesn't go quite as planned...When Miss Read took early retirement, she anticipated days of relaxation and calm. She couldn't have been more wrong! Instead she finds herself as busy and in demand as ever: on holiday in Florence, helping with church and school affairs and offering a kindly ear to her eccentric neighbours.As village life continues as always, Miss Read embarks on a local project and discovers a new talent, opening up an exciting chapter in her life.

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A wonderfully nostalgic and entertaining novel of village life from the bestselling author of VILLAGE SCHOOL.'The story of the village goes back a long, long time, and it still goes on. I have listened to my neighbours' accounts of tales long ago, and with what unfailing curiosity I observe the happenings of today!'From an unusual weight-loss recipe found in an old notebook - and used with alarming consequences - to the queen of copycats who drives her neighbour mad with anger, OVER THE GATE is a hugely entertaining collection of tales from Fairacre, past and present.Miss Read, the schoolmistress, continues to attract odd stories and village folklore, and retells them with her characteristic compassion and humour.

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Gossip, intrigue, drama... Change is afoot in a beautiful Cotswold village... 'Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, always appealing' NEW YORK TIMESAs the early sunshine begins to warm Thrush Green, it looks as if it is going to be a golden summer. But in this apparently sleepy village, there is a flurry of activity.As Molly Curdle prepares for her new baby, rumour has it that a retirement is planned, and the village schoolteacher is about to make an important decision. And as Thrush Green's vicar sits down to write his sermon, he has no idea of the potential disaster which is unfolding...All is not as idyllic as it seems for the unsuspecting villagers, for change is never far away.

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The first novel in the bestselling Thrush Green series.It's the May Day holiday, and a fair has come to the village of Thrush Green.The residents of Thrush Green all have their own views about the fair. For young Paul, just recovered from an illness, it is a joy to be allowed out to play at the fair; for Ruth, who returned to the soothing tranquillity of Thrush Green nursing a broken heart, the fair is a welcome distraction from her own problems. And for Dr Lovell, the fair brings an unexpected new patient. Then there is Mrs Curdle, the long-standing matriarch of the fair. For her, this year's visit to Thrush Green awakens mixed feelings, and a difficulty she doesn't want to face...Full of Miss Read's inimitable charm and humour, THRUSH GREEN is a wonderful introduction to this bestselling series.

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The second Fairacre novel, from the bestselling author of VILLAGE SCHOOL.In her first book VILLAGE SCHOOL, Miss Read drew a picture of the small but detailed world of a typical primary school in a remote country area, a world peopled by the children themselves, Miss Clare the venerable infants teacher, glum Mrs Pringle the cleaner, the vicar and other inhabitants of Fairacre. In VILLAGE DIARY, Miss Read describes the people of Fairacre with the same exactitude, sense of comedy and sharp observation. In addition to those characters familiar to readers of VILLAGE SCHOOL there are newcomers, including dictatorial Amy, an old college friend, Mr Mawne, whom the village sees as a possible husband for the unwilling Miss Read; and the earnest new infants teacher. Overshadowing everything, there is the mammoth country pageant over which Fairacre is so sharply and painfully divided...

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A celebration causes trouble in the village of Thrush Green...A major, double celebration is planned in the Cotswold village of Thrush Green: the village school is in its centenary year; and exactly a hundred years ago, one of the village's most notable residents founded a mission school in Africa.But the preparations are beset with problems - Winnie Bailey's health is not what it was; the new headmaster doesn't appear to be entirely right for the job; and there are mixed reactions to the fundraising appeal for the mission school.But when the big day arrives, there are more reasons for celebration than anyone anticipated...

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Nothing can be kept secret for long in Thrush Green...For many years, Dorothy Watson and Agnes Fogerty have taught in the school at Thrush Green, so their imminent retirement provokes rumour and speculation. Who will take Miss Watson's place as head teacher? As for replacing little Miss Fogerty, it seems impossible to imagine.There are other issues too. Will Winnie Bailey's eccentric nephew move into the schoolhouse? Who is the strange young man lurking outside The Fuchsia Bush? And what will become of Miss Fogerty's stray cat?The changing seasons reflect the changing face of Thrush Green as old and new friends learn to live happily together.

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Miss Read must face the future in another delightful slice of village life...Now that Fairacre school no longer faces the threat of closure, Miss Read is looking forward to a few more years of teaching before retirement. But the best-laid plans often go awry. Unexpectedly, her health begins to fail and she faces some tough decisions about her future.Meanwhile, rumours abound about Miss Read's old friend Mr Mawne, now a widower; a handsome newcomer to the village takes a shine to the stalwart headmistress; Miss Read keeps a watchful eye on the courtship of a friend; and village life goes on.

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A delightfully nostalgic novel set in the Cotswold village of Fairacre novel from the author of VILLAGE SCHOOL'Delicious wit, quirky characters, the colourful intrigues of daily life, and certainly love and laughter ... delightful' bestselling author Jan Karon'No matter how devoted, dedicated, conscientious and altogether noble a teacher is, I feel pretty sure that each and everyone feels the same sense of freedom and relief from her chains when the end of term arrives...'So it is for Miss Read - but on the very first day of the long summer holiday she falls and breaks her arm. Instantly, all her plans for the holidays are in tatters.But Miss Read's friend, Amy, comes up with an idea: and so it is that the two of them leave Fairacre for the island of Crete. The change of scene provides a welcome break for both women, giving Miss Read the opportunity to recuperate, and for them both to discuss the merits of single and married life. And when Miss Read returns, refreshed, to Fairacre, she is ready to tackle the problems which await her...

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Changes are afoot in the village of Fairacre...Over the years, Fairacre has seen many changes, some for the better, some less so. But the declining number of children at the village school has again threatened it with closure, and for Miss Read this means maybe losing her livelihood and her home. And as she loses a dear friend, it is with a heavy heart that Miss Read inherits the cottage of Miss Clare.Some things, however, never change: Miss Read's stout housekeeper, Mrs Pringle, continues her tirades; the harvest fair and fête remain cherished events; Amy has a problem with a most unwelcome guest; and a snowstorm and hurricane hit the village.

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A delightful Christmas collection of Fairacre tales from the ever-popular Miss Read.The people of Fairacre celebrate Christmas in a traditional style which has hardly changed over the generations. Children eagerly hang up their stockings, families go to church together and everyone enjoys Christmas cake and other treats of the festive season.From an unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve in 'The Christmas Mouse' to an unwanted change of plan in 'No Holly For Miss Quinn', Miss Read recounts some of the most memorable Christmas events where often, despite best-laid plans, things do not always go as expected.For heart-warming reading there is no writer to rival Miss Read, and this charming collection of Christmas tales is packed with unforgettable characters, enchanting stories and festive cheer.

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The third novel in the bestselling Fairacre series.On a blustery March day in the village of Fairacre, Miss Clare sees two strangers, 'pacing slowly, side by side, along the edge of Hundred Acre Field which lay on the other side of Miss Clare's garden hedge...'So begins a story which brings all the villagers of Fairacre together, as they face the prospect of developers, who hope to build new houses on the fields adjoining old Mr Miller's farm. Everyone has an opinion - but not everyone is in agreement about the development.Under the watchful gaze of Miss Read, the schoolteacher, we meet old characters and new, from retired teacher Miss Clare and the surly Mrs Pringle, to the new assistant teacher, Miss Jackson - who brings with her problems of her own...

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A wonderfully entertaining collection of Christmas tales from the enduringly popular Miss Read.Taken from the original omnibus CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACRE, Miss Read's wonderfully festive collection of Christmas stories is packed with entertaining characters and enchanting stories.From the rural festivities in 'Village Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells' to the pre-war story 'Christmas At Caxley 1913', the intriguing 'The Fairacre Ghost' and the poignant tale of 'The White Robin', Miss Read's wry wit and light touch is the perfect antidote to the long winter evenings.

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The wonderfully nostalgic second novel in the bestselling THRUSH GREEN series, from the author of THE VILLAGE SCHOOL.The arrival of a stranger in the village of Thrush Green stirs up ripples of speculation and interest.Not only does the village find itself paying tribute to this stranger's hero - a missionary born and bred in Thrush Green - but his presence has a dramatic affect on Miss Dimity Dean's romantic prospects...As the story plays out, Miss Read succeeds in portraying village life with all its often unexpected incidents, and her unwavering eye for detail beautifully captures the character of a gradually disappearing aspect of rural English life.

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The third novel in the bestselling Thrush Green series.There are new people on the Green...When old Admiral Trigg and his sister Lucy died, their house - Tullivers - stood empty for many months. Then one bright April day, some discreet onlookers saw a good-looking woman pushing her way through the nettles to the front door.Who was she? Was she on her own? Had she bought the house, and, if so, what kind of a neighbour would she be? These were just some of the questions asked by the curious residents of Thrush Green, a village bubbling with feuds, disasters and delights, all observed by Miss Read with her customary wry wit and charm.

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The well-loved residents of Thrush Green return in another slice of village life.Charles Henstock, rector of Thrush Green, has difficulty living up to his predecessor when he moves to the parish of Lulling. He faces opposition from the fearsome Mrs Thurgood and her arty daughter, Janet. Everyone in the district seems to be having their share of problems, not least Albert Piggott, who dreads the return of his wife Nelly.Meanwhile Kit Armitage returns to set elderly hearts fluttering. Could there be wedding bells in Thrush Green?

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A row of cottages comes up for sale in Fairacre - although with less than desirable tenants at either end, who could possibly want to buy it?Miss Read heard about the sale of Tyler's Row from the always well-informed Mrs Pringle - and before long, Fairacre was alive with rumours. Why were the present owners selling? Was it true that a football pools winner was about to buy it? Had Tyler's Row been condemned - or was it to be restored?All rumours are soon laid to rest when Peter and Diana Hale arrive in Fairacre to view Tyler's Row, with plans to knock the middle two cottages into one and create their own rural haven.But the Hales soon discover that Fairacre is no utopia, but a normal English village with all the usual troubles...

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A nostalgic collection on rural schools, childhood and English country life from the much-loved author of VILLAGE SCHOOL.From organising the school summer fete...'Because of our inability to recognise our climatic shortcomings from the outset, arrangements for outdoor jollities get completely out of hand'....to the sometimes rather odd passions of childhood:'I collect stones with holes in them'.Miss Read captures the essence of rural life, and in particular of village schools, as only she can. This collection also includes extracts from her letters:'Michael Joseph wrote after the Observer thing and is throwing out feelers for a book. I shall know if he still feels like it - me too! - after we've met'.It will also include an Introduction on how 'Miss Read' was first created: 'Miss Read was born fully clothed in sensible garments and aged about forty. She was born, in fact, when I was struggling to write my first book and needed a village schoolmistress as the narrator.'

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A brand new Miss Read novel, set in the Cotswold village of Thrush Green at Christmas.The villagers of Thrush Green celebrate Christmas traditionally, in a way that has hardly changed over the generations. Children eagerly hang up their stockings, families go to church together and everyone enjoys the treats of the festive season. And when it snows as the carol singers make their way round the cottages on the green, it looks as if Christmas will be perfect this year. But not everything is as peaceful as it seems.Phyllida and Frank have their work cut out for them when they agree to take on the Nativity play - made all the more difficult by an outbreak of chicken pox. The indomitable Ella has lived in Thrush Green for as long as anyone can remember, but lately she has been behaving strangely. Then there are the dreadful Burwells, newcomers to Thrush Green, who cause something of a stir with their 'home improvements'. For Nelly, owner of The Fuchsia Bush tea shop, Christmas is an especially busy time, with people dropping in for much-needed refreshment, weary from all their Christmas shopping. But then she receives an unexpected letter.

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There are newcomers to the village of Thrush Green...Charles Henstock, vicar of Thrush Green, is living in his new vicarage after the old one burned down. In its place are eight retirement homes, but there's heated debate in the village about the new residents. How to choose who will live there? How will they get on together? And how will they accommodate all the pets?Meanwhile the old residents have their worries. At the school Miss Watson learns that her brother has had an accident; an argument flares up between Edward Young and Dr Lovell; and Dottie Harmer becomes dottier by the day.

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Two Christmas novels from Miss Read - the perfect festive treat!CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACREFrom an unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve in 'The Christmas Mouse' to an unwelcome change of plan in 'No Holly for Miss Quinn', Miss Read recounts some of the traditional Christmas events where often, despite the most careful planning, things do not always go as expected. In his charming collection of Christmas stories Miss Read describes the season's events with great tenderness and nostalgia.A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS From the poignant story of 'The White Robin' and the intriguing tale of 'The Fairacre Ghost' to the rural festivities recounted in 'Tales from a Village School', Miss Read's wry wit and light touch is the perfect antidote to long winter evenings.

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Miss Read's future as headmistress hangs in the balance as the village school is threatened with closure.'People in Fairacre simply won't stand for their children being uprooted, and carted away in buses like so many - er, so many--''Animals?' prompted Mr Roberts helpfully.'No, no, not animals,' said Mrs Mawne testily. 'Animals don't go in buses! What I mean is, we won't have it. We'll never let Fairacre school close.'She looked round the table. Her face was red, her eyes bright.'Agreed?'The village of Fairacre is buzzing with rumours of the imminent closure of its two-class school. As fears grow amid mounting conjecture, headmistress Miss Read's future hangs in the balance. And trouble is never far away as village life is further disrupted by tangled matrimonial affairs and a police investigation. The community must rally together to face this new threat...

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After a long winter, summer is a welcome time for Miss Read and her village friends.SUMMER AT FAIRACRE charmingly recounts this bright, bustling season and the problems and possibilities that unfold against the backdrop of roses, skylarks and bees. Joseph Coggs finds a temporary home in the schoolhouse while his mother is in the hospital. Miss Read's friend Amy mysteriously disappears. Perhaps most difficult of all, Mrs Pringle, the grumpy school cleaner, is unable to work because of her 'bad leg'. Still, the sounds of children playing and the fragrance of summertime flowers fill the air, as Miss Read shepherds her students and friends through the warm season.

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An enchanting story of village life from the bestselling author of the FAIRACRE series.January has been bitterly cold in Thrush Green. But at last the winter seems to be melting into a beautiful spring.But with the warmer weather comes a series of local dramas in the community: the future of The Fuchsia Bush tea shop is uncertain when its owner, Mrs Peters, falls ill; there are problems concerning Rectory Cottages, which prove hard to solve; the plans for the village fete - always an event rife with conflict - are hotting up...Meanwhile, the arrival of a stranger from America excites much interest and curiosity - who is he, and what effect will he have on the village?

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The peace of a beautiful Cotswold village is about to be disturbed...'Unforgettable characters ... drama, romance and humour' EXPRESSChildren's voices ring out from the school playground; in the distance there is the gentle hum of a lawnmower; and all around the village, birdsong can be heard. But despite all evidence to the contrary, in the village of Thrush Green feelings are running high... The rector has a plan for the neglected churchyard which doesn't meet with universal approval; there is a clash of personalities at the local school; and someone has returned to the village after an absence of fifty years. Before long, the tranquillity of the Cotswold village is shattered.

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Spring has arrived in the beautiful village of Thrush Green - but problems are never far away.It's spring again in the village of Thrush Green, and with the changing season comes change for many of the villagers.An unexpected arrival at the local railway station is sure to disrupt more than one life; Joan Young's father has come to Thrush Green in the hope that the country air will restore him to health; Miss Fogerty welcomes an old friend and Harold Shoosmith is hoping that, at last, his bachelor days are over. Meanwhile, Molly and Ben Curdle have a very difficult decision to make...

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The very first Miss Read novel - set in 1950s England, perfect nostalgia for fans of CALL THE MIDWIFE or Gervase Phinn.'An affectionate, humorous and gently charming chronicle ... sometimes funny, sometimes touching, always appealing' New York TimesFairacre is a village of cottages, a church and the school - and at the heart of the school, its headmistress, Miss Read.Through her discerning eye, we meet the villagers of Fairacre and see their trials and tribulations, from the irascible school cleaner Mrs Pringle, to the young schoolchildren with their scraped knees, hopeful faces and inevitable mischief.Miss Read takes us through the school year, beginning with the Christmas term when the bitterly cold weather challenges the school's ancient heating system, right through to the hot summer day when school is over for another year.VILLAGE SCHOOL is an intriguing glimpse into a forgotten world and has become a true classic.

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