Chalk Dust and New Chapters cover art

Chalk Dust and New Chapters

A BRAND NEW charming 1950s Yorkshire tale of compassion, community and romance

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Chalk Dust and New Chapters

By: Gervase Phinn
Narrated by: Gervase Phinn
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Summer term, 1956. For boys and girls, primary school days mean blackboards and chalk dust, pinafores and short trousers, satchels and skipping ropes.

For talented teacher Helen Mercer, returning to her home county of Yorkshire and working in a supply role, it’s a term of being sent wherever there’s a gap to fill, and getting to grips with idiosyncratic head teachers, eccentric colleagues and new classes of young children.

To each school, Helen brings warmth, creativity and a stubborn conviction that every child matters. But among the endearing, funny youngsters she meets, defiant Terry Smith tests her more than most. Can she reach the vulnerable boy she spies beneath the unruly behaviour?

As Helen settles back into Yorkshire life and even considers a new romance, she must decide which school needs her most, and where she can truly belong.

An evocative, entertaining and feel-good novel that celebrates those memorable early schooldays, from one of the UK’s most beloved storytellers.

Praise for Gervase Phinn:

'A worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing' Alan Titchmarsh

'Hilarious and hair-raising' Sunday Times

'Colourful, funny and honest' Sunday Express

'A natural storyteller' The Times Educational Supplement

(P)2026 Boldwood Books 20th Century Family Life Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Witty Feel-Good
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It is always a joy to read Gervase Phinn’s memories of teaching and inspecting in Yorkshire. Some of the anecdotes one has read before, but as always the characters shine through. Sadly the narration of this lets it down as the author does not always read the written words which another narrator would. However one wants to meet Helen again in her new role as Headteacher of Brightbrook Primary.

Another visit to Yorkshire schools in the middle of the twentieth century

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I really enjoyed this. it is a gentle and amusing story. inlook forward to the next installment.

Lovely

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