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  Looking  further ahead to 2009, Maureen will also be at The France Show, Earls Court, London, 9th -11th January, organized by France Magazine, and at Haywards Heath Library, Sussex, (date to be confirmed).

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  A lovely 1939 pencil sketch by Lonsdale Ragg, Archdeacon of Gibraltar, has been added to the pages on Fort Escu (Sunset House). Click here to see it.

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  'Escape to Provence'  - update. The re-launching of AMB Cote d’Azur’s website with completely new features, a broader scope of articles, videos, fuller coverage of the Cote d’Azur and Provence – plus a brilliant new design and layout has taken place. The new site features a full page review of Maureen Emerson's new book which was launched in June and, in addition, a splendid 5 minute video about the book filmed in and around Opio and narrated by Maureen herself. This is a must for all fans and Maureen and the staff of the AMB site are to be congratulated. Visit the page and see the video by clicking on the link here.

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  2 press reviews of 'Cintra's' fashions from 1921 can now be found on the Cintra page. Click here.

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  New page created with access to 1920's magazine articles written by  Winifred after the closure of her 'Cintra' fashion business. Click here.

July 2008

'ESCAPE TO PROVENCE'
by
Maureen Emerson

Now available at price £9.99 plus £2 p&p (U.K.)
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO ORDER
 

June 2008

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  In Winfred's last book Laughter in Provence she recounts a tale of a niece and her husband arriving for a visit to Opio in a superb Healey Silverstone sports car which aroused great interest. The car is still in use and the present owner recently traced a son of Winifred's niece and the actual car turned up on his doorstep whilst visiting the UK from South Africa! He has kindly supplied photo's and there is a memoir from Winifred's companion secretary at the time who is featured in the story. Click here.

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  'Escape to Provence' by Maureen Emerson was officially launched on Saturday 14th June 2008 at the English Book Centre, Valbonne, France, courtesy of the proprietor Jill Shepperd who had provided an excellent backdrop for the event. Maureen gave a short talk of about 15 minutes covering firstly the writing of the book and then a brief description of the contents. Speaking perfectly, despite claiming she had never done it before, the audience in the packed bookshop were enthralled. Afterwards she happily chatted with the visitors outside and signed numerous copies. Maureen has to be congratulated on a splendid publication. The depth of her research and the ends to which she has gone, (and places), to obtain it is quite staggering. Congratulations Maureen, a well deserved success. Click here to see some photo's of the event.

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  Howard Grattan has kindly provided two new dust jackets from editions of Perfume from Provence and Sunset House that were published by Cedric Chivers of Bath in 1974. Click here to go direct to the book page for the thumbnail pictures which have links to their respective pages. These editions appear to have been published in conjunction with the Library Association.  - Howard has supplied two more un-seen covers from a Japanese edition of Sunset House and a Swedish edition of Perfume from Provence.

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  'Escape to Provence' by Maureen Emerson - Update. This exciting new publication, the culmination of approximately 7 years work, is now being printed. The book will be available for order direct from the publisher, Chapter & Verse, at £9.99 (post free the U.K.) in July 2008.  An order form will be available to download and print in due course.

May 2008

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  The CDP narrow gauge railway, part of which used to run through The Domaine olive groves, will be operating its steam hauled service again in 2008. It will operate on Sunday only between Puget-Theniers and Annot until from 11th May until the 19th October. You can connect with the steam train by using the ordinary service from Nice CDP station. For further information click here.

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  'Race for Life 2008' - Update. Fiona & Jane completed the 5k run at Stratford upon Avon Race Course on Sunday 18th May in great times. It was a fresh and windy morning but fortunately dry. So far they have raised nearly £700 in sponsorship and, as their employer operates a £1 for £1 scheme, this will bring the total to £1400! A fantastic effort and a huge thank you for your support. There were 2000 women runners and the day will have raised about £1 million in total for this worthy cause.

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  'Escape to Provence' by Maureen Emerson. The story of the fascinating lives of Winifred Fortescue & Elisabeth Starr. The book will be launched at a signing by the author, in France, on Saturday 14th June 2008. It should be available, to order, in the UK in July 2008. You can see the finished cover design, read the notes and get full details of the launch by clicking on the picture below.

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  A page of photographs taken in and around Opio village submitted by P. Martin, a visitor to the site, has now been added. Click here to view them.

April 2008

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  Mac Users - if you are viewing the site on an Apple Mac or using the Safari browser on a PC please note that there are a few strange anomalies! Certain text appears misplaced or may even be missing where Word Art was used to create it. The site is constructed on a PC but I will try and synchronize it for Mac users in due course. (NOW DONE!)

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  1908 First Night Programme from Pinkie and the Fairies at His Majesty's Theatre added. Winifred the actress appeared in this production. Click here.

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  Another early aerial photo of Opio & Chateauneuf has come into my collection and is now available to view. Click here.

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  My wife, Fiona, will be running in the Cancer Research UK 'Race for Life 2008' at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire on May 18th for the 5th year running. She is joined this year by a friend and colleague, Jane Hudson-Evans, who is taking part for the first time. If you would like to support them you will be very welcome, just double click on the donate button below. Than you very much indeed for your support.

March 2008

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  Better quality scans of the press reviews and pictures from Winifred's days as an actress. (You can now read them!). Click here.

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  Better quality scans of the remaining 'Cintra' documents have now been added to the appropriate page, you can also enlarge them and view in Adobe.pdf format. Click here.

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  New photographs of the Opio graves taken in February 2008, by regular visitor Rhona Wells, have been added to the site.

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  Lady Fortescue's original garden at The Domaine, near Grasse, (now Villa Fort France), will be open to the public a number of times in 2008. If you are in the area it is an opportunity not to be missed. For times and dates click here. The garden has recently been awarded the label 'Jardin Remarquable'. To read more about this, in French, click on the logo below. I will add a translation shortly.