Emma's New Book

Emma’s New Book

Local author (or is it authoress in these ‘PC’ days?) Emma Batten has just released the third, in the series of stories revolving around fictional families living at Dungeness and the local environs, entitled ‘The Artists Gift’.

For those who want to ‘see’ Dungeness as it was a hundred years ago then read the first of two tomes. ‘Secrets of the Shingle’, set in the 1890’s followed by ‘Stranger on the Point’. Finally ‘The Artist’s Gift’ picks up the same family from around 1940.

Fictional they may be but Emma, who has always been interested in local history, goes to extraordinary lengths to get the background of the stories as factual as possible. Her novels are an easy read and her attention to detail paints vivid pictures of both people and locations.

Emma’s first book, entitled ‘A Place called Hope’ is set in the 16th century and tells the story of the lives of two young women living in a remote settlement on Romney Marsh. ‘What the Monk didn’t See’ tells the story of the 1287 storm and how the fortunes of New Romney were changed forever. ‘But First Maintain the Wall’, her fourth novel, revolves around strange goings on in Dymchurch during the 18th Century

All books are well worth a read and only £7.99 direct from Emma (and Kindle). Emma is also available for talks and is more than happy to visit local groups

emmabattenauthor.com | Buy the book

Emma with the Vicar of Lydd, , the Rev. Chris MacClean, at the launch of her latest novel ‘ The Artists Gift’ on Saturday 13th July 2019

About the Author: Mike Golding

Born in Ashford a long time ago I have had a lifelong relationship with Dungeness having spent every year here for a fortnights holiday up to the age of 15. In those good old days there was no electricity and hence no radio, no running water and no adequate sewage solutions. Nothing to do other than enjoy the vast expanse of the Ness and all it offered for the young children of that era. Out after breakfast and back before nightfall. There were lakes to swim in. Same lakes to boat on (well old railway sleepers). A derelict school and long disused railway station in and on which to play. Gun emplacements, underground shelters. Sheer bliss. That all ended at 16 when I joined the RAF, finally purchasing a shack – as indeed it was then – in 1971 for the princely sum of £750.00. Only 15 years prior to that we could not afford the £150.00 asking price for what was then known as ‘Windwhistle’, reported to be one of Queen Victoria’s entourages carriages. Still there today, sold last year (2022) and still awaiting planning permission to re construct, but the original structure still concealed behind painted shiplap. Leaving the mob I travelled, retuning ‘home’ as oft I could, and realistically, only becoming a permanent fixture since 1977. In those days there was a vibrant community here with annual gatherings for the Mayday festival – spit roast and all and open days at the Lifeboat station – with bosuns chairs, zip wires to keep the kids happy. I think Health and Safety put paid to that and other activities, as did the moving away of many locals. The result of which , today there are probably less than 20 families residing here permanently, (I have been told not to use the word ‘shacks’ as now, at £650,000.00 plus they are 'desirable bungalows in a well sought after locale'. So ‘Shacks’ they are! End. P.S A few originals left to rent from £500 per week.