“An Evening with Ann Cleeves” held at the Whitley Bay Comrades Club, The Links, Whitley Bay on Wednesday 30th March was a big success!
Comrades Club Member and MC, Barry Wallace, welcomed everybody and then introduced Superintendent Peter Dade, Mission Area Officer for North Shields.
Peter introduced Ann Cleeves by saying that she was the author of 29 books, including the bestselling Shetland and Vera Stanhope novels, which have been turned into critically acclaimed TV dramas, Shetland and Vera. Vera was filmed on North Shields Fish Quay last September, and formed the last episode of the most recent series 6.
Ann is locally, nationally and internationally well known.
Peter said that Alison Godfrey, Director of Fundraising, was hoping to be at the evening but was unwell at the time. Get well wishes were conveyed to her by all.
You could hear a pin drop in the Comrades Club, as the 70 or so people listened intently to every word Ann said about how she became a writer, her background and what motivates her in her crime writing. She read excerpts from two of her well known novels, finishing by saying “if you want to know more you will have to buy the novel from the bookstall and support the Fishermen’s Mission!”. She also explained how some of the much-loved characters in her novels came to be, including Vera.
After her talk she answered questions and then a book signing followed.
Ann very kindly donated a £1 from every book sale to the Fishermen’s Mission North Shields. In all 36 books were sold.
A Buffet and a Raffle followed.
A presentation of flowers was made to Ann Cleeves to finish the wonderful evening, by Peter & Sue Dade.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening with Ann Cleeves.
All proceeds from the evening event went to the Fishermen’s Mission North Shields and a grand total of £516.31 was raised!
Fishing is the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK & beyond. Supt Dade pointed out the story of the two Amble fishermen and their ordeal, in the “Spring Network” which was given out.
Peter Dade thanked Ann Cleeves, James from Forum Books, Corbridge, the Comrades Club Committee, Barry Wallace for very kindly paying for the Buffet as his contribution to the evening and increasing amount raised, Gwen Pickford and Barry Wallace for all their help in setting up the event.
Due to this success we hope to repeat it later in the year
Peter Dade
Superintendent
Mission Area Officer
NORTH SHIELDS
