A beautifully produced hardback featuring a unique collection of extraordinary, whimsical and sometimes bizarre but true stories. Many of the best and most intriguing stories, some of which date back to the early 19th Century, have been discovered in long-forgotten books and magazines, but all reflect our enduring passion for man’s feline friend. Stories include everything from the cat that saved its canary friend by seizing the canary in its mouth, to the cat that nursed a ‘missing’ leveret, to the sagacity of Miss P’s adopted feline friend who foiled a burglary and last but not least, Miss Deb’s (the family cat) who knocks on the door for prompt attention became as well known to the servant as that of any other member of the family, and, no doubt to Miss Deb’s great satisfaction, it usually met with prompt attention! A delightful collection of short feline stories spanning the last two centuries Balanced mix of charming, quirky and true tales that will amuse the reader Stories that tap into our passion for cats and can be read in any order Delighful illustrations by Nicola L Robinson Perfect gift for every cat lover

Bind: hardback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 29-07-2016

If your dog seems like a mission impossible, relax! This one-stop guide to understanding and curing your dog problems is here to help you on the way to owning a happy, loving dog that you will be pleased to see every morning. This latest book draws on a lifetime’s experience of solving dog difficulties – most of which Janet Menzies admits to have experienced personally at one time or another! So whether it is a simple problem of pulling on the lead, or the more complex issue of canine aggression, Psycho Dog has the solution. One stop guide to understanding and solving problems with your dog All dog owners have problems at one time or another Includes sections on aggression, bad behaviour, barking, biting, chewing, growlng, jumping up, pulling and dominance

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 28-09-2016

For a balanced and happy dog, mental workload is as important as the daily walk. In this book you will find many creative brain teasers that you can implement quickly and easily at home and that really challenge your dog. Discover how much fun you can put into everyday objects and how small variations can turn even familiar games into a completely new gaming experience for your dog - endless fun is guaranteed!

Bind: paperback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 171 x 237 mm

Publication Date: 31-05-2018

This is a right royal comedy of errors. Hidden within normal English is a separate language still spoken by those born with silver spoons in their mouths. It’s called Posh. A word of English can be spelt the same but mean something completely different in Posh. If you say the word “Mention” in English, people will understand “Remark upon”; but in Posh this means a large house. Say “Ace” and speakers of Posh will think you are referring to a cold thing one’s butler puts in one’s G&T. This book will help you learn Posh, often with side-splitting consequences. To aid rapid mastery, helpful examples of the various words in the dictionary are given in context. These helpful examples collectively add up to a story within the dictionary – The Fall and Rise of an Important Family – the sorry saga of riches, ruin and redemption that this book really is.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 23-08-2019

Beyond The Pavilion spans seventy years of social, regional and cultural history through the eyes of one of cricket’s earliest Test match wayfarers, Barry Knight. As a ten-year-old, Barry saw Don Bradman’s 1948 ‘Invincibles’ at Lord’s. His early days were spent playing street cricket in London’s East End, captaining his school against Eton College, and later captaining England Schoolboys. At the age of fifteen, he was recruited to play for Essex and went on to become one of England’s finest all-round cricketers. In this memoir, Barry reflects on his international playing career and his experiences touring India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand in the 1960s. He recounts tours with Fred Trueman, Geoff Boycott, Ted Dexter, and Colin Cowdrey and playing against the era’s best Australian, Indian, Pakistani, and West Indian players. He also shares stories about life in London in the Swinging Sixties and his place in the D’Oliveira affair, and the anti-apartheid protests. After his retirement, Barry moved to Australia in the 1970s and became Australia’s first professional cricket coach mentoring and developing three Test match captains: Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. He also had a front-row seat in the development of World Series Cricket. The book includes endorsements from leading players, commentators and journalists, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Barry Richards, Geoffrey Boycott, Doug Walters and Sir Michael Parkinson. This sporting memoir is richly illustrated with photographs from Andrew Leeming’s and other private collections.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 256

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 14-08-2022

When the music impresario Bryan Morrison died aged 66 in 2008, after two years in a coma following a polo accident, he left behind his unpublished memoir. As a music publisher, manager and agent, Morrison had represented the Pretty Things, Pink Floyd, T. Rex, The Jam, Wham! and many others. He was also the founder and owner of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. In this candid and outspoken book, Morrison reveals the true stories behind why Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd once bit his finger to the bone, the Pretty Things were banned for life from New Zealand, and he became involved with the Kray Twins. He also tells how The Jam kissed goodbye to success in the USA, he received death threats when Robin Gibb left the Bee Gees, and signing a publishing deal with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham! Spanning the golden age of British rock ’n’ roll from the 60s to the 80s, this is the extraordinary story of a cigar-chomping, East End entrepreneur, with a passion for art and design, fashion, music and polo.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 13-09-2019

The World of Cognac is a carefully researched study about the history and culture of Cognac – the most valuable spirit in the world. Ranging from historical brandy anecdotes dating back to the 7th century all the way up to our modern-day cocktail culture, this is cognac's story. The author explains where cognac originates from, how it's made, the people involved, as well as the classification and age, the art of tasting and most importantly of all, choosing and storing one's cognac. A comprehensive list of cognac houses are featured, providing an informative overview of many of the brands and a selection of their current products. Comprehensively researched study on the history and culture of cognac Best in the World, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Historical brandy anecdotes dating from the 7th century up to our modern day cocktail culture Features a comprehensive list of cognac houses – an overview of the brands and their current products Making the world's finest distilled spirit – vineyards, the harvest, distillation, ageing and the art of blending Cognac classification, art of tasting, and storing Pairing cognac with food and in cocktails

Bind: hardback

Pages: 312

Dimensions: 216 x 254 mm

Publication Date: 15-05-2017

Through Rider Biomechanics, one gains a complete understanding of the biomechanics of the rider via a new understanding of fascia — the fabric of the body that links muscles into functional chains, rather like strings of sausages. Within both human and equine bodies these form 'lines of pull', affecting posture, movement, stability and mobility. Through clear 'how to' descriptions, coupled with copious illustrations, the reader learns how to rebalance the tension within and between one's own 'lines of pull'. The ultimate task is to use this developing awareness to rebalance the tension in the horse's 'line of pull', gaining much more influence over his carriage and movement. The secrets of talented riders are laid bare. KEY POINTS Explains how the body's connective tissue ultimately determines the balance of horse and rider Provides a map and techniques for rebalancing the 'lines of pull' creating better balance between horse and rider Illustrations and photographs throughout explain the 'lines of pull' and how to reorganise and influence one's horse

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 214 x 283 mm

Publication Date: 22-05-2017

Since 1890, the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel has been welcoming visitors to the shores of the beautiful Lake it calls its home. This book tells its fascinating story. The story of the evolution of this Victorian sporting hotel is matched only by the story of the Lake itself, which was, when constructed, the largest artificial reservoir in Europe, the waters held at bay by the first large masonry dam in the country. Built to provide water for the growing city of Liverpool 68 miles away, its construction also meant the relocation of the old village of Llanwddyn. Given the Lake’s remote location, the building of a hotel on its shores seemed a natural development. Early visitors included Liverpool dignitaries and others drawn to witness at first hand the extraordinary engineering project the new reservoir represented. But, as the engineers left the site and the Lake settled into its new surroundings, the Hotel came to represent a haven for visitors who came to fish or shoot, walkers, naturalists and artists or holidaymakers drawn simply by the peace and tranquillity the Hotel still offers to this day. Lake Vyrnwy captures in vivid detail the unique character and location of the Hotel, its fame as a renowned fishing destination, how the Hotel has moved with the times, and how, today, it remains an integral and important part of the local community, economy and culture.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2019

As Roger Morgan-Grenville prepares for a new season with the White Hunter Cricket Club, he is starting to feel his age, so he embarks on a secret plan of coaching, yoga and psychology to improve his game. Will he emerge as a sporting demi-god, or will his team-mates even notice the difference? This is the humorous and heartwarming story of that cricket season, as the White Hunters go from disaster to triumph. It is a tale of competitiveness, suspense, excellence, hospitality and incompetence, such as the missing fielder found asleep in the woods and the two opening bowlers whose MG Roadster breaks down on the way to the game. From the Castle Ground at Arundel to a field next to a nudist camp in France, players such as the Tree Hugger, the Gun Runner, and their wicket-keeper, the Human Sieve, share the dream that this might be their day. Above all, it is the uplifting story of friendship among a team of not-very-good players who find enough moments of near brilliance to remind them why they love the game of cricket.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 216

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2019