I have just learnt from Paul Thompson, cowriter of the excellent Jake Thackray biography Beware of the Bull, that a collection of Thackray's prose will be published by Scratching Shed on 1st August. As the title, The Unsung Writer, suggests, this will offer readers a chance to explore the full scope of his writing and perhaps get a deeper sense of his character than is possible through those artfully constructed songs - or another side of his character, at least. The collection includes poetry, fiction, pieces for radio, the script for a school musical (possibly the one which inspired Remember Bethlehem?) as well as columns for the Yorkshire Post and the Catholic Herald.
The last-named is of particular interest to me as my mother read that paper and occasionally informed me about the latest contribution from "your friend". No clippings were forwarded to me, unfortunately, and I can't remember what she said other than retaining the impression that the pieces were very lighthearted: "Grins, Giggles and Grace", as another Catholic publication of my youth, the Crusade Messenger, had it?
There is also the exciting news that there may be a new double CD in the autumn including previously unreleased songs and live performances. Sadly, I'm told that this will not include the song I remembered from Tickertape as "Sophie and William" (actually Sophie and Timothy) as this only exists now as a title but there is the possibility of another Tickertape song being included.
Links:
Preorder The Unsung Writer at Scratching Shed's website here. And while you're at it why not add this delightful tome to your basket?
My review of Beware of the Bull.
My own tribute to Jake Thackray: On Again! On Again! or Strangers on a Train. The subsequent post, Ralph, William and Jake (and Davey) or Act As Known is also Thackray-related.
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