New book ‘The Roots of Social Change’, by Stuart Sherring, to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare
27th July 2021
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A new book is set to to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare.
The Roots of Social Change – Life in Britain and the Empire 1815 – 1939 is by Stuart Sherring, and is dedicated to his wife Di, who was admitted to our Inpatient Unit 25 years ago.
In November 1995, our hospice had been open for less than two years, and Di spent her final days there. It was just a couple of weeks beforehand that she had held a special coffee morning in aid of the charity, raising an impressive amount (the cheque presentation is pictured). It ticked off the third goal she had set herself, and achieved, during her illness – the first two being to see Neil Sedaka at the BIC in Bournemouth, and also to have a short holiday at Sandbanks, organised by their children Neil and Claire.
Stuart says it’s truly astonishing that she achieved so much in her final weeks, and he recalls the care that she was given by the team at the hospice. “What stood out was devoted and loving care by the hospice and specialist community team. Fundraising was a token of her appreciation – and mine too. I matched the amount Di raised, so it was about £2,000 in total. One late August day 25 years ago, family and friends celebrated Di’s life. A service at Mudford was conducted by Rev. Douglas White, a remarkable man and friend. In the evening we took over Judge Jeffreys restaurant in Dorchester, switching tables between courses. In this amusing mayhem the seating plan went out of the window. We had a great time. ”
The Roots of Social Change is Stuart’s second book, following The Forgotten Kingdom of Barotseland in 2016. Stuart says, “The spur to write another book was running various courses on social history. The starting point for this new book is the return to Britain of soldiers from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. It ends with poignant accounts of those getting out of Germany in time.
“My aim remains to bring history alive – written through the lens of the time, enriched by voices and stories of those there. Only much later did the idea form of fundraising to coincide with 25 years since Di passed away.”
Stuart will be appearing in our Bookshop in Dorchester on Wednesday 4th August from 11am-1pm to talk about the book, and everyone is welcome to pop in.
The Roots of Social Change is released on 9th August, and will be available to buy in our Bookshop in Dorchester, at our high street charity shop in Sherborne, You can pre-order in our online shop. Each hardback copy costs £21.99, with £10 coming to Weldmar.
