Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has found a novel way of raising money – proceeds from all sales of author Simon J Stephens’ new comic tale of cruising on Britain’s waterways are being donated to the Trust.
The First Cut tells the story of three families hoping for a relaxing holiday on a hire boat cruising the Four Counties Ring. But little do they suspect how events will unfold in this very English farce. Simon J Stephens spent most of his working life in retail before selling his house and moving onto a narrowboat, now moored in Penkridge, in 2012. Cruising the waterways of the Midlands and particularly Staffordshire, he spends his time reading and writing and walking his dogs. His previous work includes two crime thrillers, Righteous Correction? and Redeeming Choices?
All proceeds from the sale of The First Cut on Kindle Direct, priced at £1.99 will be donated to the Trust. The paperback version, also available on Amazon, costs £7.99, and the royalties of £1 per copy will go to the Trust.
Simon said:
“Whilst there are numerous groups of hardworking , unpaid volunteers working to restore
the lost waterways of this nation, a brief glance at any map will show you that restoring
both the Lichfield and the Hatherton Canals will create a priceless link between the Staffs
and Worcester and the Coventry canals, taking in the wonderful Pelsall village and making
new cruising rings possible.
This no vanity project - this area needs these links for sound commercial reasons and
to revitalise these places of such natural beauty.
The sooner the canals are restored, the sooner we can all enjoy the benefits.”
