| 1 | The Romsey Read
The Romsey Read was launched on Monday, 15th October in Volumes Bookshop. Author, John Sedden visited and read some extracts from the book.
The Romsey Read is a community initiative to get the whole town of Romsey reading the same book and talking about it.
The book which has been chosen is “Mudlark” by John Sedden, a story set at the outbreak of World War One. It takes place in Portsmouth and follows the fortunes of Reg and Jimmy, the Mudlarks of the title.
You can pick up a copy of the book from various places in Romsey, including the Public Library, Volumes Bookshop in Bell Street, the Community Offices of Romsey and Mountbatten Schools and some doctor’s surgeries and other public areas. When you have finished reading the book please pass your copy on to someone else to read. When you have read the book you are invited to post your comments on the discussion forum on this website. | 
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| 2 | Romsey Read Events
Poetry Evening
The Romsey Poetry Society held an evening of poetry reading to tie in with the theme of Mudlark, on Friday, 12th October at King John's House. Pupils and staff from The Romsey School read some extracts from the book and some poetry from The Great War. Author, John Sedden introduced the event.
Launch
The Romsey Read was officially launched on October 15th at Volumes Bookshop in Bell Street. Author John Sedden came along and spoke about writing the books and talked about Portsmouth and what it was like at the time the book is set. He told the assmebled company about the Mudlarks and what life would have been like for them. The young people who came along were particularly interested in some of the artefacts which he brought along to illustrate his talk. He showed them some "old money", such as a farthing, for which the Mudlarks would have been scrambling. He also brought some lead soldiers and a soldier's tobacco tin. Everyone who attended enjoyed hearing John read some extracts from the book too.
Old Time Music Hall
In keeping with the era of Mudlark an Old Time Music Hall took place at The Romsey School recently.
Writing Competition
Write a poem or short piece of prose inspired by Mudlark. There are two categories; under 16 and over 16. The best entries will be published on this website and a prize will be awarded for the best in each category. Please keep your entry to a maximum length of one side of A4 paper. You can send your entries to:
Mudlark Competition, The Community Office, The Romsey School, Greatbridge, Romsey, SO51 8ZB
Or e-mail it directly to mudlark@romsey.hants.sch.uk
Reading Groups
Two of Romsey's adult reading groups met to discuss Mudlark in Romsey Public Library recently. Most people had enjoyed the book and thought that the story was sensitively written. They felt that the ending was quite a shock and that Mudlark would make a good film. They felt it was a good read for ages 11 and over.
Author Visit to Schools
Pupils from Mountbatten and The RomseySchool are looking forward to meeting author, John Sedden when he visits both schools to talk about Mudlark. He is coming on 5th November. Year 8 pupils in both schools are studying the book as part of the English Curriculum, Romsey School Reading Club pupils have been reading it and several members of staff left a staff meeting with copies of the book too! |
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| 3 | Your opinion is needed. Please complete the below surveys on anything to do with the The Romsey Read project.
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| 4 | Here are some opinions of the book received already. Tell us what you think!
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"I think that Mudlark, written by John Sedden, is an extremely good book as at the end of every chapter it always leaves you wanting to read more. The whole book is just full of gripping suspense and laughter.
Mudlark is about two fourteen year old boys who love mudlarking. Their lives soon get swirled around and they find themselves in serious trouble with the police! And it all starts with a skull found on the mud of Portsmouth harbour. At the end, there is a horrible stomach turning surprise which could make the bravest person in the world fall to the ground in tears!" (Year 8 pupil, The Romsey School)
- "I most enjoyed the relationship between Jimmy and Reg and Jimmy and his mother. The stories of two boys living by their wits in a desperate situation. I also liked that there wasn't a conventional happy ending."
- "Loved the dialogue, which made me laugh a lot and hence told a lot about the characters."
- I most enjoyed the link between the mudlarks in Portsmouth and then in the trenches.
The coming of age of the main characters as the world got more serious and sinister around them
- The thing I least liked about Mudlark was the coincidental murder of the "girlfriend". Too contrived!
- "Familiarity with the local area made it more enjoyable. Local history learned through a story."
- "I liked the authentic feel of the time and place setting which made the story convincing. I was kept interested by the idea which began on the first page that something awful was about to happen. The sub-plot about the King being Jack the Ripper didn't work so well for me.
I also found a poem which goes really well with the novel. It's called "Two Fusiliers" (soldiers) by Robert Graves. Natalie Wassell and Sarah Murdoch-Smith read it beautifully at the end of the Poetry for Pleasure evening at King John's House on Oct 12th when John Sedden was there too. Read it and see why it fits the novel and the story of Jimmy and Reg so well. It goes like this...
"Two Fusiliers" by Robert Graves
And have we done with War at last?
Well, we've been lucky devils both,
And there's no need of pledge or oath
To bind our lovely friendship fast,
By firmer stuff
Close bound enough.
By wire and wood and stake we're bound,
By Fricourt* and Festubert*,
By whipping rain, by the sun's glare,
By all the misery and loud sound,
By a Spring day,
By Picard clay.
Show me the two so closely bound
As we, by the wet bond of blood,
By a friendship blossoming from mud,
By Death: we faced him, and we found
Beauty in Death,
In dead men, breath.
(* = towns in N. France) "
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