Latest news with #Will
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
New historical fiction novel inspired by a folk song about a Scottish hero.
John Ogden has just published his new novel which tells the story of Jack the Painter, a man who single-handedly almost succeeded in bringing the Royal Navy to its knees. The story is interwoven with that of Will, a modern-day veteran, who is teetering on the edge of life. Over one night they tell each other their stories. Jack's tale of his role in the American War of Independence, and how he almost single-handedly brought it to an early end; Will's of fighting for freedom in a world which soon forgets the fallen and fractured. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Paint it Jack Tired of his dead-end factory job, Will - a lad from the North-East of England - joins the army where he goes to fight in the War on Terror. He becomes a man able to save and take lives until one day his world falls apart. Broken and despairing he meets Jack, another lost soul, in the shadows of Old Portsmouth. Jack, born and brought up in Edinburgh's Cowgate and once England's most wanted man, also fought for freedom but his fight was many years ago. As the night passes they tell each other their stories: Jack's tale of his role in the American War of Independence, and how he almost single-handedly brought it to an early end; Will's of fighting for freedom in a world which soon forgets the fallen and fractured. The historical fiction novel Paint it Jack is set in Scotland, England, the USA and France of the late 18th century, and Portsmouth, Afghanistan and Durham of the early 21st century; it is a story of hopes, heroes, fear, loss and redemption. The author. How did the book come about? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A few years ago John came across a book of folk songs in a Hampshire Museum. The most modern of the songs was from the 1960s it was 'The ballad of Jack the Painter'. In it the songwriter celebrates – 200 or so years after the event - the death and grisly afterlife of Jack the Painter. Why would someone feel the need to celebrate something long past? John needed to understand who Jack was, where he came from, what he did and why he still inspired resentment, these themes inspired the writing of the book. As John researched Jack's story and travelled across the country he came across more and more homeless veterans who were living on the edge of life, He felt compelled to tell their story. The book interweaves two stories Jack's and Will's the latter a composite of many of the homeless veterans John met. Author Biography John Ogden was born in North-East England. On leaving school he went to work in a factory spending his evenings playing drums with a number of bands. In his early twenties he headed towards London in search of musical fame and fortune, something which never materialised. He eventually put down his drumsticks and as he was already able to count to four became an accountant. Always fascinated by words he began to write and perform poetry appearing regularly on Vanessa Feltz's popular BBC Radio 2 show and at Open Mic sessions. After half a lifetime away he returned to his native North-East in 2022. John now lives with his wife Janet in the beautiful North Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby, where he hopes to add to its considerable stock of stories. Paint it Jack is John's first book. James Aitken AKA Jack the Painter Where can people buy the book? If readers find themselves in Whitby, Paint it Jack can be bought from Holman's Bookshop and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, from the publisher's website or from Amazon.
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
LEJOG Hike for Henry
I lost my younger brother to Cancer in 2022 when he was only 18 years old. This absolutely broke me as we were so close, he was my best friend. Hen's best friend Will has decided to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in 45-55 hour legs all to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust through the charity 'Hike for Henry'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'Hike for Henry' was set up by Will in memory of Hen. Hen and Will were inseparable best friends and always did crazy things together, so Will is carrying that on by completing these challenges in Henry's memory. The route Will is taking is mapped out on the Hike for Henry social media pages (@Hikeforhenry) but it totals up to 1200 miles and he is walking all of this on his own! He has just finished his fourth 45-55 hour leg! He is the most motivated person I have ever met so I have no doubt that he will complete it! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hen was not only my younger brother but also my best friend, my biggest supporter and the most kind and funny person. He has left a massive hole in our lives and we miss him every minute of every day. Hike for Henry - LEJOG I really hope you can take the time to read this and show Will some support, it would mean so much to all of us. Even if it's sharing a post or two, helping us get in touch with others that could help or walk with him, donating equipment vouchers or sharing or donating to the GoFundMe! GoFundMe link:
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
LEJOG Hike for Henry
I lost my younger brother to Cancer in 2022 when he was only 18 years old. This absolutely broke me as we were so close, he was my best friend. Hen's best friend Will has decided to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in 45-55 hour legs all to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust through the charity 'Hike for Henry'. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'Hike for Henry' was set up by Will in memory of Hen. Hen and Will were inseparable best friends and always did crazy things together, so Will is carrying that on by completing these challenges in Henry's memory. The route Will is taking is mapped out on the Hike for Henry social media pages (@Hikeforhenry) but it totals up to 1200 miles and he is walking all of this on his own! He has just finished his fourth 45-55 hour leg! He is the most motivated person I have ever met so I have no doubt that he will complete it! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hen was not only my younger brother but also my best friend, my biggest supporter and the most kind and funny person. He has left a massive hole in our lives and we miss him every minute of every day. Will plodding along I really hope you can take the time to read this and show Will some support, it would mean so much to all of us. Even if it's sharing a post or two, helping us get in touch with others that could help or walk with him, donating equipment vouchers or sharing or donating to the GoFundMe!
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Couple in charity run challenge for son's hospice
A husband and wife are to take part in the Great North Run to raise money for a hospice that helps care for their son. Susie and Chris Seymour are training for the September charity run in Newcastle upon Tyne to fundraise for Hope House Children's Hospice which supports their eight-year-old son Will. Will has an underdeveloped brain causing spasms and a severe visual impairment, his parents said. Not only will the couple, who live near Bridgnorth, be running on their wedding anniversary, they said it would also be their first night away from their son which would be quite emotional. The hospice has helped the family after Will's birth, also offering respite care, prompting them to want to "give something back". Scans after his birth showed his brain had not fully developed, which resulted in him having infantile spasms and the couple being introduced to Hope House which helps families living in Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales. "We have been with Hope House for such a long time and there really is just nothing like it," said Mrs Seymour, 41, who works as a specialist nurse in an adult hospice, said. "The nursing and care we have had there has been absolutely incredible and we have been doing what we can to raise money and give something back to the charity that has helped us so much." She said respite care at the hospice meant she could "immerse" herself in enjoying being Will's mum and "not thinking when his next meds are due". Mrs Seymour said she had been training and had joined Bridgnorth Running Club. So far, she said she was able to run 10km. "This [the race] will be the first night away we've had from Will since he was born, which will be quite emotional," she added. "He will be staying at Hope House as we cross the finish line which I'm sure its going to be quite mix of emotions." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Couple on fundraising walk for hospice Girl chosen as face of hospice's Christmas campaign Hope House Hospice
News18
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Fifth Harmony's Ally Brooke Marries Boyfriend Will Bracey, See First Wedding Pics
Last Updated: Ally Brooke and Will Bracey first met in 2014 and got engaged in 2023. Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke has officially got married with her boyfriend Will Bracey in a low-key ceremony. The couple first met in 2014. The ceremony took place at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on May 3. According to People, who was the first to break the news, Ally and Will's wedding was officiated by Pastor Judah Smith, who is a good friend of the couple. Forgoing a large guest list, Ally and Will opted for a small, secluded setting, with just two of them present at the ceremony. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ally Brooke Bracey (@allybrooke) For her big day, the singer wore a strapless, custom wedding gown by Lee Petra Grebenau. Will, on the other hand, donned a classic black suit. The bride walked down the aisle to Kari Jobe's Holy Spirit, performed by a live violinist. The couple hadn't always planned to elope. In a conversation with the outlet, Ally revealed that they changed their plans just weeks before the wedding. 'The whole time I had envisioned a big wedding. We both would've loved our fam there and some friends, but I'm forever grateful and glad that we did it that way because it could not have been more intimate and more incredible," the singer said. Sharing their families' reaction to their decision to elope, Ally said, 'Everybody was supportive, and they were thrilled for us. They were like, 'Look, if you want it to be just you, it should be just you.'" Will added, 'We'll do something soon with them this fall with all the families, but we wanted to do this, and [I'm] so glad we did." Ally first met Will in 2014 when he came to work as Fifth Harmony's tour manager. While her ex-band members were not part of the wedding, Ally thanked them for bringing her to the love of her life. First Published:
