From Where I Stand

When two or more people find sufficient in common to call themselves ‘us’, they will strengthen their togetherness by looking for a ‘them’ to dislike.

Indarjit’s law

It’s fashionable to talk of ‘hate crime’ as if a small minority of people are infected with a virus of hate against those they see as different. It is not like that. Prejudice and fear of difference affects us all. 

I learnt about my Sikh religion almost as an outsider looking in to find surprising teachings on justice, compassion and a need to stand up for others.

Discrimination in employment in the ’60s, normal and lawful at the time, led to my turning down a well-paid job to go to India, where writing under the pen name of Victor Pendry, I became a local hero to the Sikh community suffering majority persecution. This standing up to injustice through writing, speaking and importantly, humour, is the story of this book.

You cannot choose your battlefield

 God does that for you

 But you can plant a standard

Where  a standard never flew.

Nathalia Crane

From the Leader's Chair

Kenneth Sillito is internationally recognised as one of Britain's most distinguished musicians. Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he studied with David Martin at the Royal Academy of Music, and in Rome with Remy Principe. His first major appointment was as associate leader of the newly created English Chamber Orchestra in 1960. He was subsequently appointed leader and remained with the orchestra until 1973, during which time he established a worldwide reputation as both director and soloist. In 1967, he founded the Gabrieli String Quartet, which swiftly established itself as one of this country's leading chamber ensembles. With the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, which he joined in l980, Kenneth led and directed innumerable distinguished recordings and performances until his retirement in 2012. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy in 1971 and awarded the highly prestigious Cobbett Medal in 2017 by The Worshipful Company of Musicians for his services to chamber music.

From Jam Jars to Jewels

From Jam Jars to Jewels is a captivating memoir that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and success. Follow the journey of a young man as he turns his passion for antiques into a thriving business, all while encountering a cast of colourful characters and facing unexpected challenges. Filled with humorous true-life stories, this memoir is a delightful read for anyone who loves antiques and the unique individuals who collect them.

From Fire to Ice

I stood on the rock, in Antarctica, wearing nothing but a swimming costume, goggles and a cap, ready to dive into the ice. The water was 0°C so was the air. I have never done this before, and I had no idea what the outcome will be. Will I panic? Cardiac reaction? Have I come all this way, trained and invested so much money to dive in and flop with fear or incompetence? It was time, I counted to three and dived in and started swimming. I was alive, more alive than I have ever been in my life. Stroking up and down the little channel we made in the frozen glacial lake. “I am swimming in Antarctica.” I smiled to myself while focusing on the extreme sensation in my fingers and toes. I was fine, more than fine, I was alive! I never expected life to turn out as it did. I am still looking forward wondering what will happen next. Growing up in a small Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilei, with the paradox of tranquil sea and farming life together with the constant shelling from neighbouring Syria and Jordan, straight into our fields, homes and life, was just normal. One minute you play in the field or swim in the sea and next minute you run for your life, heading towards the nearest bunker, hearing the deafening sound of explosions around you.

Life was never meant to be easy for me, I am an uncompromising stubborn and strong-minded person. I spot bullshit from a mile and I like things simple, clear and honest. Things never are. I don’t give up easily, I don’t get scared easily and I don’t stop when I believe I am right. Life for me was and probably still is, at 63 years old, a journey of unexpected extremes. Regrets, I have a few, we all do. Would I do it all over again the same? Certainly not, I am not stupid, and I hope I would learn from my mistakes. Yet, I wake up every day, looking forward, appreciating the sea, the wave, the smell, the sound and feeling of water on my skin.

From Doctor to Guinea-pig

Alex was born on a Greek island and moves with his parents to Congo-Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). He studies medicine and goes to work in a hospital in the bush with his teenage wife. Faced with seemingly unsurmountable problems he works wonders and moves to Kinshasa for the comfort of his family. He is a man married to his work, he contracts AIDS and fights the difficulty of announcing this terrible news. Truly philanthropic, he offers his body to science to test the various drugs that are created to treat this new virus. You will be fascinated by his medical exploits, and be torn between him and his wife both struggling to face the problems that life presents to them. A story about life, faith and our approach to death.

From Cholera to Ebola

"We've been invited to witness a bonfire of marijuana by the Taliban. Anyone interested?" Amid the missionaries, mercenaries and misfits drawn to the world's most dangerous and volatile hotspots stands Dr John Parker. From Cholera to Ebola is a captivating collection of true stories 25 years in the making. Whether challenging the bureaucracy of refugee camps to cradling children as they died, Dr Parker operated far from his comfort zone, from the norms of medical practice and from the decencies of humanity. His is a life that swung from heartbreaking hopelessness to sheer ecstasy as he battled PTSD to chase his next 'fix' over increasingly dangerous missions. "There are some things you cannot be taught; you have to live them."

From a Little Neighbourhood

Nothing could be any better in the world, apart from a self-discovery of fulfilling his dream, just a young man from a little neighbourhood finally living his dream. Focus directed on embarking on the way of life past all adversity and truly finding where you belong in the world. Further sharing information to the world that would not only entertain them but also aspire them to a greater life experience and enjoy it.

Free Radical

A fascinating account of life in a period of great social and political change. Gabrielle Walsh discusses her personal experiences of pursuing feminism and gay rights amidst the stigma and tradition of a patriarchal society. Traversing the period from the beginning of the 1950s until the present, it is the story of an activist who also honours those who contributed to the great social and political movements aimed at freeing our world. The discussion of sexual liberation and race relations are equally thought-provoking. The anecdotes and details of family life, set against the backdrop of pivotal historical events, provides an insight into the personal inherent in every political situation. This work shares a progressive political tradition with a cheeky storytelling genre found in Anglo-Irish literature. It is exuberant, lively and amusing. Written with warmth and compassion, this work provides a platform for important conversations still necessary for our society today.

Freaks Like Me

Georgie was just a typical teenager when it happened; she was studying hard for a place at her dream university and having fun with her friends on weekends. She always knew what was coming next. She had her entire life planned, until one night and one event turned her whole world upside down. In an instant, everything had changed, and it was never to be the same again.

“Freaks Like Me” is a touching memoir about invisible illness, mental health and the prejudice that sadly comes alongside it. It’s the true story of how one girl and her loved ones finally learnt to accept the hand they had been dealt…

Frank

Have you ever thought about the life you have lived? The person you have become and what you had to go through to get there? Well, Jarra Freehart has and it wasn’t all good. I can tell you that. Horrific might be a good description. Attempting to destroy yourself is one thing. But equally effective is destroying other people’s trust and confidence in you along the way. Fancy having to admit something like that. Self-awareness can be very elusive. Jarra had his hands on it several times. But it always slipped away. The only thing he’d ever really achieved was not dying along the way. He came close a few times. He had to write this book. While there was still time. He had to empty his head before he could develop any further and maybe become a better person. Although he would never consider himself a bad person. Just lost in a world that no one else was allowed into. His own private world. Visitors were not welcome at all. Not ever.

Jarra Freehart didn’t find this laborious task easy, you know. It was hard work. That’s for sure. But he’s so glad he eventually did it. Because now, his new life could begin. But that’s another story.

Fought a Million Battles

This book covers over fifteen years of service as a volunteer with the Royal Green Jackets and Great Britain’s elite Special Air Service. The author was a trained parachutist with the UK, US and French Army. A qualified marksman and a silver standard cross-country skier, he was trained in explosives and was a specialist in long-distance communication.

Flying Used to Be Fun

Civil aviation has changed out of all recognition over the period during which the author was involved. In many ways it is now far safer than it used to be. In the early sixties, majority of flights were conducted in piston engine aircrafts and many were tail draggers i.e. you would have entered at the back of the aircraft and then struggled uphill towards your own seat. Turbine power soon took over and planes not only became faster but could climb higher, which usually produced a smoother flight.

By the mid-sixties, jets were being introduced. They were even faster and flew still higher, once more increasing passenger comfort as more of the rougher weather was left below. Along with this, airfields were being expanded to cope with ever-increasing passenger numbers. For many years the government had no money to pay for updating navigational aids including safe landing systems. Appropriate radar coverage for air traffic controllers was hindered by lack of funds. Aircraft manufacturers improved the reliability of the aircraft they produced and engines were also being developed with far greater power to increase safety standards for both airfield performance and speed during the cruise.

This is the story of a life lived across many different eras of aviation.