Review of Tom Twisleton 100 Years On souvenir publication


Over 2017 Heritage Lottery Fund invested in the young people of Settle and its surrounds engaging their wisdom and work to honour the centenary of a local Craven dialect poet.  Tom Twisleton 100 Years On is edited by the project coordinator Hazel Richardson in tandem with Settle Stories, an energetic local charity helping bring voice to local people and empowerment to youth.

What is striking about the book is the predominance of young contributors, their passion for heritage and the way they draw on material from the Museum of North Craven Life and the Twisleton family bringing a dynamic out of heritage. I write as one of a number of family members interviewed on Skype whose contribution is woven in. Family-friendly the book includes a challenge to re-create Victorian games, puzzles and colouring sheets.

At the centre is a selection of Tom’s poems supplemented by 21 of them - half the total - on an accompanying CD recorded by local people in Craven dialect which is an unique resource. Years 7 and 8 at Settle College held a Centenary poetry competition from which 9 poems are included. They pick up with Tom’s inspiration, aided by Settle Sessions poetry group, on the beauty of the Dales and the resilience and creativity of the farming community.

The Twisleton family are detailed as ‘a widespread and colourful bunch of people who are far from conventional’ with practical guidance on how to research your own family tree and wisdom about interviewing people for that end. Editor Hazel Richardson details Craven dialect and how Tom’s humour and poetic gift were made servant of his passion to free people from alcohol addiction through Temperance campaigning.

Tom Twisleton 100 Years On  builds effectively from the warmth, humour and integrity of one who ‘spoke truth unto power’, shook shackles of addiction and as straight speaking Yorkshireman challenged the hypocrisy of his day.

Over 2017 Heritage Lottery Fund invested in the young people of Settle and its surrounds engaging their wisdom and work to honour the centenary of a local Craven dialect poet.  Tom Twisleton 100 Years On is edited by the project coordinator Hazel Richardson in tandem with Settle Stories, an energetic local charity helping bring voice to local people and empowerment to youth.

What is striking about the book is the predominance of young contributors, their passion for heritage and the way they draw on material from the Museum of North Craven Life and the Twisleton family bringing a dynamic out of heritage. I write as one of a number of family members interviewed on Skype whose contribution is woven in. Family-friendly the book includes a challenge to re-create Victorian games, puzzles and colouring sheets.

At the centre is a selection of Tom’s poems supplemented by 21 of them - half the total - on an accompanying CD recorded by local people in Craven dialect which is an unique resource. Years 7 and 8 at Settle College held a Centenary poetry competition from which 9 poems are included. They pick up with Tom’s inspiration, aided by Settle Sessions poetry group, on the beauty of the Dales and the resilience and creativity of the farming community.

The Twisleton family are detailed as ‘a widespread and colourful bunch of people who are far from conventional’ with practical guidance on how to research your own family tree and wisdom about interviewing people for that end. Editor Hazel Richardson details Craven dialect and how Tom’s humour and poetic gift were made servant of his passion to free people from alcohol addiction through Temperance campaigning.

Tom Twisleton 100 Years On  builds effectively from the warmth, humour and integrity of one who ‘spoke truth unto power’, shook shackles of addiction and as straight speaking Yorkshireman challenged the hypocrisy of his dayTom Twisleton 100 Years On Hazel Richardson (Editor)
Poems, facts and fun activities for families with Heritage trail maps and CD of poems by Tom Twisleton in Craven dialect. Foreword by Sir Gary Verity.
Settle Stories 2017 £8 ISBN 978-1-912121-00-7 45pp

The book is available from Settle Stories Press, The Joinery, Dawsons Court, Market Place, Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9ED. Cheques for £10 (including P&P) to Settle Stories Ltd.
E mail orders via  admin@settlestories.org.uk

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