The Idea For The Book
A few years ago, I visited an exhibition (‘Banking for Victory’) at Upton House in Warwickshire, not far from where I live.
There’s more about the exhibition and some great photos here.
The house, gardens and extensive art collection were donated to the National Trust in 1948 (and are well worth a visit) but at the outbreak of World War Two, Upton belonged to the wealthy, glamorous and philanthropic couple, Lord and Lady Bearsted.
When war was declared, Lord Bearsted decided to move his merchant bank, M Samuel & Co. from London to his country house in Warwickshire for the duration of the war and lots of staff went too! (They were, if you like, ‘adult evacuees’).
The Long Gallery became the banking hall, single employees were put up in dormitories within the house and married couples were billeted in the nearby village or in cottages on the estate.
Most of the workers came from London’s East End. What an experience it must have been, to move to the countryside, to live in a manor house, to ride bicycles, wear wellies and swim before breakfast in the outdoor pool. It must have felt a million miles from the Blitz. But there must have been a certain amount of guilt too and worry about those left behind.
For their 2015-6 exhibition, the staff and volunteers at Upton House did a marvellous job of turning back time, so that the house looked as it would have done during the war.
It was only after I’d visited the exhibition twice – and a year or two had elapsed – that the idea came to me, that the story of a bank moving to the countryside would make a great setting for a novel.
Of course, by then, the exhibition had finished but that didn’t really matter. I had my setting, now I just had to come up with characters and a plot.
I wrestled with the idea for quite a while.
A couple of summers ago I visited Upton House on my own and strolled around the gardens – where I took these photos – asking myself whether I thought it was going to be possible to come up with a story or whether I should forget the whole thing.
Obviously, in the end (and it did take me a long time!), I managed it.
Giveaway
So, to celebrate publication day, I have a little giveaway. In an ideal world, I’d give away signed copies of the book but obviously I can’t do that until the paperback’s out on March 17th, so instead, I’ve got this:
A ration book mug with a selection of 1940s sweets (not actually that old, obviously but ‘in the style of’!)
A ‘home front’ memorabilia pack which looks like fun: 20 pieces of artwork, including a clothing ration book, war emergency leaflet, ‘dig for victory’ information, trade cards and travel tickets and more. Interesting, perhaps if you write about WW2 (or want to) or might be nice to share with children or seniors. (Or scatter on tables if you’re having a WW2 ‘tea dance’ or similar event?)
A ‘couple on a tandem’ tea towel. The significance of this will become clear if you read the book!
One lucky person, drawn at random, will win all these goodies!
You don’t have to follow the blog, or buy the book (although obviously it would be nice if you did!).
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post no later than a week today, 21st January 2022 and you’ll be included. Sorry but UK only, because of postal costs. If you want to leave a comment but don’t want to be in the draw (or live in exotic climes so are excluded!) please feel free to comment but just add that you’re not entering the draw.
Right, I’m off to open the fizzy stuff now. Have a good weekend everyone!
Congratulations on the publication of your book.
Thank you!
Really interesting to read about your inspiration.
Helen, how lovely to hear about your inspiration for A Wartime Secret, so pleased you persevered and created your wonderful debut novel, congratulations on your 1st publication day, here’s to many more in the future 🥂cheers
Thanks Lesley! x
What a brilliant story! I would love the mug when I snuggle down to read ‘A Wartime Secret.’
Thanks Patricia!
It’s rather a nice mug, isn’t it? I wouldn’t mind one of those myself!
What a great ‘story behind the story’! Happy Publication Day and congratulations! Will be ordering over the weekend and will post review ASAP. Really looking forward to reading ‘ A Wartime Secret’.
Thanks Eirin!
Congratulations and loved hearing the inspiration for your novel too!
Thanks Fiona!
Congratulations, Helen, and how interesting to read about the background to the novel! I’ve begun reading it and was drawn in immediately.
Thanks Christine and I hope you are (still!) enjoying it.
What a story! I love history and am looking forward to reading your book. Lovely prize!
Thanks Helen! Good luck in the draw!
Congratulations! The ebook arrived today! Looking forward to reading it.
Great, Lynda. I hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations, Helen. I absolutely love your book and send good luck wishes on publication day. xx
Thanks Jane!
How interesting! Congratulations too! Mx
Thank you Morton!
I love Upton House too! The banking exhibition was fascinating x
It was, wasn’t it? Just wish I’d had my idea a bit sooner (ie: when the exhibition was still on) and I could have asked the volunteers lots of questions and taken lots of photos. Ah well.. .it wasn’t meant to be!
Fabulous read. I love reading books about WW2
Thanks Meena!
Well done Helen. Fascinating to read how your idea began. When I nest go Upton, I will picture your characters Maggie, Ray and all amidst the grounds!
Yes! I need to go to Upton again myself sometime! It’s a lovely place to visit.
Congratulations on your debut novel. Book premise sounds really interesting – and different!
Thank you!
Helen, congratulations! So exciting to be published. Loved the insight into how your idea evolved. 🙂
Thank you Angela!
Congratulations Helen. I thoroughly enjoyed the first four chapters.
Thanks Margaret!
So lovely to hear about the setting which inspired your novel. Congratulations, Helen!
Thanks Gail!
Congratulations Helen..well deserved after all that war work. May your books never be rationed… Enjoy celebrating your success. Looking forward to D day March 17th and holding that book in my hand!
Thank you, Matey!
Lovely to read about how you had the idea for the book and what a great idea to share that story! Looking forward to reading ‘A Wartime Secret’.
Thanks, Ninette! I’m hoping Upton House might decide to stock the book – when it eventually comes out in paperback – in their shop. But I expect they need to read and approve it first!
Congratulations Helen. I am loving your book – it’s so atmospheric. And I’m learning a lot about life during WW2 in the process!
Thank you! I like to think I am ‘educational’!
Enjoy the fizz – you deserve it. Sounds like a wonderful book
Thanks Angela!
Congratulations Helen. I’ll be buying the paperback when it comes out!
I love Upton , so can’t wait to read your novel. The property belongs to the same portfolio as Canons Ashby where I volunteer. We should meet for lunch at Upton sometime. Happy Publication Day! Xx
Thanks Jo! Yes, that would be lovely. Perhaps in the spring, when it’s all a bit nicer out there?!
Hi Helen. I’ve been looking forward so very much to reading your novel and now have it on my Kindle. Yay! When the paperback is out, we might just have to have a meet-up so you can sign a copy for me 😉. Hope all’s well with you.
Thanks Clare and thanks for buying the book. I hope you enjoy it! Yes, would love to sign the book for you!
Huge congratulations on your book launch, Helen. I really enjoyed reading it and can thoroughly recommend it to others.
The giveaway mug made me smile. I have my grandma’s old ration book from WW11. There are so many basic food stuffs that we take for granted that they couldn’t get then, or at least not in any quantity. We don’t know how lucky we are!
Thanks for your comment Jane and I agree about the rationing. Dried egg! Yuck! And no butter or sugar (or hardly any). The more I read about WW2 the more I’m grateful for everything we’ve got now. Even the dreaded ‘C’ isn’t as bad as what they all went through back then.
Sounds good Will buy
Thanks Roger!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and process. I have the book on my Kindle but will also buy the paperback. Big congratulations to you on ‘sticking with it’ and getting there in the end. Hoping to graduate from the RNA -NWS sometime soon x
Thank you Karelann, I hope you enjoy it. Good luck with your novel too and let me know when you graduate!