Book Launch

Join us as author, veterinarian and naturalist Alick Simmons introduces his new book Treated Like Animals and explains why the issue of animal welfare should concern us all. Alick will give a short talk on the modern challenges, both legal and ethical, that present themselves in looking after animals in our homes, on our farms and in the wild, as well as on the solutions that might be found. Afterwards, Alick will be available for questions, conversation and to sign your copy of his book. --- Alick Simmons is a veterinarian and a naturalist. After a 35-year public service career controlling epidemic diseases of livestock, culminating in eight years as the UK's Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, in 2015 he began conservation volunteering. He is chair of the Zoological Society of London's Ethics Committee for Animal Research and sits as an independent member of ethics committees for both the RSPB and National Trust. He is former chair of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and the Humane Slaughter Association.

In 1776 a young beautiful woman with graceful manners appeared in Flax Bourton, near Bristol and set up home in a haystack. Louisa stayed there for four years. Fashionable folk taking the waters at the Hotwells Spa would take carriage rides out to visit her and she attracted the attention of the rich and famous from London. Maid of the Haystack will be launched at Heron Books at 4pm on Saturday May 20 when author Martin J. Powell will give an insight into how this local historical novel came about.

Heron Books is thrilled to host Phoebe Stuckes and Rose Ruane to celebrate their debut novels. We are huge fans of their writing – we've been lucky enough to read advance copies of their brilliant books – and can't wait to hear from the authors themselves.
Phoebe and Rose will be in conversation with Ash Bond, author of Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm.

How Nature Can Heal
Join us for the launch of Being With Cows by Dave Mountjoy

Being with Cows tells the heartbreaking, heartfelt, and ultimately, transformational story of how one man, shattered by the sudden death of his brother, was helped to a place of acceptance and quiet joy through the presence and gentle stillness of his cows. An inspirational story about grief, family, mindfulness and the healing power of nature, Being with Cows is for anyone in search of inner peace and simplicity in an increasingly complex world.

The event will be chaired by Gill Farrer-Halls of The Literary Consultancy.

Tickets are free; please book to reserve your place below.