Julian Jackson, a journalist based in South London, has just launched a paperback called “The Thatcher Years Reenactment Society and Other Fictions”, consisting of 12 darkly humorous stories about strange characters like part-time Viking Asgrim, or April, an impoverished actress forced to do promotions in a clown suit when she prefers Shakespeare. Many of the stories are set in South London and feature landmarks like Brixton Town Hall.

The Thatcher Years Reenactment Society cover by Julian Jackson

Julian says, “I wrote these stories over a period of years, just really when something came to me, like Lost Voice, where a male model falls in love with tragic singer Echo. They are about oddballs, and people on the fringes of society, but I didn’t make all of it up. Some of these things happened to me or people I knew over the years, of course I have fictionalised the events, but they have an element of truth.”

Many unusual but vivid characters populate the stories: fat Arnold, who enters an eating contest, but finds his main rival is a diminutive student Krysia – nicknamed Jaws – who needs the money – will romance bloom in these unlikely circumstances? How will callous Professor Augustine Mach justify psychopathy? Will gorgeous but vulnerable pop star Echo fall for a vain male model and what will happen if he rejects her?

Who are the Thatcher Years Reenactment Society?

Julian says, “My regular journalism is about the environment, business and technology, subjects which don’t lend themselves to many laughs, so these stories are an outlet for my black humour and strange flights of imagination. I have nearly finished a novel which is in the same comic space and I hope to release it next year.”

The book is self-published. “I decided to self-publish because collections of short stories are very hard to place with conventional publishers. It was just easier, although I had to put a lot of work into proofreading and design. The cover is from a brilliant artist called Joseph Goode, who really captured the essence of the stories,” Julian adds.

The Thatcher Years Reenactment Society and Other Fictions is available for £5.00 + £1.20 P & P from www.julianjackson.net, and the Kindle edition is available for £1.99 from www.amazon.co.uk

Julian’s copywriting portfolio is here: https://julianj.journoportfolio.com

Air Quality Graphic

Shockingly, air quality in some parts of Wandsworth is quite poor, even compared with other areas of London, which has generally bad air quality by the standards of the rest of the UK. Air pollution has been called the “Invisible Killer”. It has been estimated that air pollution causes thirteen times as many deaths as road accidents. It is only in the past few years that the full scope of this problem has become apparent. Around 10,000 Londoners die prematurely every year as a result of poor air quality. Wandsworth Borough has been made an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) because it exceeded the permissible amount of air quality for Nitrogen Dioxide and tiny chunks of pollution known as ‘particulates’. Although the council are attempting to improve air quality, by actively reducing emissions from their own buildings, vehicle fleet and deliveries as well as supporting walking, cycling and an overall reduction in vehicle usage, we all have a responsibility to take steps to reduce pollution, from our vehicles and equipment.

Today, Tuesday 20^th October Wandsworth Radio (http://www.wandsworthradio.com) are hosting a programme at 6.30 pm to discuss this serious problem which potentially affects all of us, although vulnerable people, like children, the elderly, and those suffering from health conditions like asthma are at greatest risk. Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, Steve Pinto will be on the programme. He says, “Air pollution is the biggest killer next to smoking. It is important to raise this issue, and increase awareness of it, so that people can take action. We all use vehicles, fuel in boilers, businesses have a supply chain, so it is important to examine how to reduce the pollutants. At Wandsworth Chamber we are setting an example by using an electric car – which we have christened “Evy” – instead of a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle.”

One free option for mini-cab drivers, which Wandsworth Council has available, is ‘Drive Style’ training which takes one hour and will give expected savings of around £60 per month for every driver. See www.wandsworth.gov.uk for details or contact upatrick@lambeth.gov.uk.

Steve Pinto says, “Be aware of the seriousness of poor air quality, increase your knowledge of the impacts and solutions and take action.” Listen to him on www.wandsworthradio.com on Tuesday 20^th October at 6.30 pm.

http://www.wandsworthchamber.org

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200485/air_quality

Author: This article was written by Julian Jackson, Wandsworth Chamber’s resident blogger and copywriter – www.julianjackson.co.uk https://julianj.journoportfolio.com