Alfie’s Vision – Lighting The Way
Jo Darbyshire (Editor/Author), Amusing Art (Illustrator),
Professor Martin Henig Bio, Benauld,Alison Coombe, Lucy Hampton, Ben Hatch, Nick Holland, Jenny Meszaros, Jenny Ryan, Richard Smeilus, Annabelle Tipper, Sini Tipper, Suzie Tullett, Anthony Douglas Williams, Sandra Willis (Contributors)
An anthology of short stories, poems and quotes, compiled by Jo Darbyshire. All royalties go to The Alfie’s Law Foundation charity.
After reading so many horrific stories daily of the mistreatment of animals across the world, Jo Darbyshire decided to give this topic some balance and also share the wonderful stories she has read. As Jo is Alfie’s Law Foundation official Artist & Designer, she came up with this idea of creating an anthology of short stories, poems and quotes, all contributed by supporters of Alfie’s Law..
Find out more more about ‘Alfie’s law’ go to their website www.alfieslaw.co.uk
Biographys of Contributors
Jo Darbyshire – professional artist & Alfie’s Law Foundation’s official artist and designer. Creating the Lighting the Way painting and editor of Alfie’s Vision. Attained BA (Hons) English Literature, Language & Art. Dip Counselling, Dip. Mentoring. Jo uses a sense humour to get serious messages across through her art. She has many passions, however, her main passion is her love for animals. She has only three dogs and fish now. However, her past life wasn’t always as calm. She has shared her home with a tortoise, guinea pigs, gerbils, terrapins, birds, rabbits, cats, fish and many dogs in the past. Alfie’s Law is paramount to her because she see it as a step towards a better understanding that we share this planet. These animals are in our homes by our own invitation. For the human race to be taken seriously as humane & civilised, we need acceptable provisions to protect the vulnerable in our care. It is our time to speak out and come together protecting and valuing all lives.
Benauld is an artist, specialising in images of nature. He also maintains the website: allinonepeace.org.uk, which has been set up to promote the well-being of the environment and the animals that live within it. benauld enjoys walks in the countryside, taking photographs of wildlife that inspires him.
Alison Coombe – 40 years old and have lived in Devon all my life. I’m owned by: 3 Labrador dogs, 7 cats, 2 rats, 3 mice, 1 rabbit, 1 bearded dragon lizard, oh and 1 child.
I’ve been married to my patient husband since 2012 and we’ve decided when we grow up we will move to the Republic of Ireland and extend our menagerie too hopefully include a donkey, a goat and a cow.
Professor Martin Heing Bio – I have been a classical archaeologist,teaching and writing about Roman art, for most of my life though since childhood I have maintained an interest in and passion for wild animals. I now find myself Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, a vice-president of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals, a founder member of the Voice for Ethical Research in Oxford (which opposes vivisection) and have also been professed in the third Franciscan Order in order to model my ministry on St Francis who spoke to animals as his brothers and sisters, made as they were by the same God.
Lucy Hampton – Having grown up with and always been surrounded by animals it is no wonder that they feature strongly in my poems and short stories. Currently we are privileged to be able to share our home with 2 dogs and 3 cats. Passionate about supporting those who have no voice of their own I was delighted to be able to contribute to Alfie’s Vision and hope that this charming anthology will be enjoyed by many.
Nick Holland loves animals, especially his pet tortoise. He is a professional freelance writer and the author of the number 1 bestselling thriller ‘The Girl On The Bus’, and the children’s novel ‘Tortoise Soup’
Jenny Ryan – Well versed in condensing a lot of information into a compact customised poem, Jenny, of www.thepoemshop.com , also spins yarn, weaves words, teaches ESOL and tweets for http://findingfureverhomes.org.uk . She lives in Cheshire with her husband and has a grown-up son and a fond memory of Turtle, their wonderful dog.
Richard Smeilus is proud to be a Shropshire lad, and enjoys writing, archaeology, astronomy, and is particularly fond of geology, for which his home county is famous. He hopes that, in contributing this work, it will help to bring animals and humans closer together.
Annabelle Tipper – I’m a vegan, have always loved animals and am passionate about environmental issues. I’ve won several prizes for photography, art and crafts in local amateur competitions and had my first solo exhibition last year in aid of PACT Animal Sanctuary. My poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines and I’ve been awarded certificates of merit and distinction in Mere Literary Festival competitions. Two limited edition collections of my poetry were published in aid of animal charities. I sponsor a variety of animals and regularly raise funds to help the causes close to my heart.
Sini Tipper – I grew up in Finland and came to this country after having married my penfriend. Dogs have been, and still are, my favourite animals. We had three generations of dogs in my childhood home; the first one was given to me as a birthday present. Animal charities have always been very close to my heart and I am sponsoring a guide dog and have an adopted dog called Rosie at Dogs Trust. I am a volunteer at a local animal charity shop and as a keen gardener I share the wonders of wildlife with my family around our home.
Suzie Tullett is an author of contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. Her novels include Going Underground and Little White Lies and Butterflies, which was short-listed for The Guardian’s 2013 Not the Booker Prize. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist.
To find out more about Suzie Tullett you can visit her website
Sandra Willis lived with her 2 golden retrievers Cosmo & Daquiri aboard her narrowboat Golden Boyz. She cruises the Uk waterways running her floating shop Golden Boyz Doggie Gifts selling dog themed girts to both furry friends & humans like. Her range includes doggie popcorn, herbal teas, antler chews & a huge variety of different treat biscuits, doggie bandanas, 3D doggie picture, dogopoly games & dog themed pens, purses, bags, stickers & much more.
In between cruising & trading Sandra also runs www.momentsinrhyme.co.uk an internet based business writing personalised pet poems. Cosmo & Daquiri are also busy writing their blog at www.watergypsy3.wordpress.com about their travels & they are currently writing their first book The Watery Tails of Cosmo & Daquiri which charts the adventures & escapades of their first year living afloat