AUTHOR

UP THE NORTH with writer & theatre producer Ed Waugh in Northern Ireland

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A hit play about North East miners imprisoned for derailing the Flying Scotsman during the 1926 General Strike is transferring to Northern Ireland before it plays the prestigious Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Playwright Ed Waugh (Carrying David, Wor Bella) was invited to talk about the play at two Irish venues last week.

Firstly, how did you get there Ed?

‘I flew! It only takes 40 minutes from Newcastle to Belfast International Airport. My Metro journey from Newcastle Airport to South Shields took much longer!’

‘I spent a couple of nights in Derry but while in Belfast, and Derry, there was lots of talk about the race riots. Theatre shows were cancelled and the bars weren’t up to their usual capacity. I was told people are reticent about coming out of their homes to socialise publicly at the moment.’

pic. Playwright Ed Waugh in The Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

How did the Ireland connection come about?

‘I was approached by Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) who have a membership of 47,000 and are the biggest Northern Ireland-based trade union.

They were instrumental in getting additional trade union support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ITUC), Unite, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison. The latter have 50,000 members in Northern Ireland and are based across the UK.’

Along with the talks Ed was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster in Belfast and BBC Radio Foyle in Derry.

‘I was amazed by the BBC presenters who interviewed me in Belfast (BBC Ulster) and Derry (BBC Foyle). They had obviously done their homework and their preparation was brilliant, they were good interviews. I was impressed.’

‘I was able to get the point across about the need for workers’ unity and the importance of trade unions in this, to cut across racial, religious and gender bigotry.’ 

‘These disgusting prejudices are whipped up by the representatives of the wealthiest 1 per cent to detract from the growing inequalities in society. It’s the traditional ‘divide and rule’ tactic to scapegoat minorities rather than the real culprits.’

pic. Playwright Ed Waugh outside Derry Playhouse.

How did you find Belfast and Derry?

‘Both Belfast and Derry are highly political cities. There are political murals everywhere and every family was affected by the troubles.’

‘Despite these historical injustices, Belfast is a brilliant place. I’ve been a number of times and it reminds me of Newcastle. People are very friendly and the place has a buzz.’

‘Mind you, Derry blew me away. What a fantastic place! I paid tribute to the Undertones mural before heading to the BBC to be interviewed but en route people would just say “hello” and smile. it was lovely.’ 

‘It was announced before the BBC Radio Foyle (Derry) interview that I was speaking and there to meet me at the station to say hello was a chap from Wallsend. He’d emigrated in 1973 but still had his Geordie accent.’ 

Would you call the visit successful Ed?

‘When I got the taxi home in the evening the taxi driver asked me what I was doing in Derry and when I told him he said he’d be at the front of the queue if there was another general strike.’ 

The Cramlington Train Wreckers is playing Derry Playhouse on July 8 and Waterford Hall, Belfast, on July 9, before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal on July 12. The two shows at Newcastle will be at 3pm and 7.30pm. There is limited ticket availability for both shows.

For tickets and more information, visit: 

www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/cramlington-train-wreckers.

Alikivi  June  2026 

Link to previous interviews for The Cramlington Train Wreckers >>>

NE tour for new play – THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS starring Alexandra Tahnee | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

WHO WERE THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS? | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

PIT BOY – new book by former Sand Dancer John Orton

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How many books have you published and when was the first?

Four so far Gary. My first book, ‘The Five Stone Steps’, a tale of a Policeman’s life in 1920s South Shields, came out in 2014 and was followed by ‘Blitz PAMS’ (2016) a tale of the Blitz on Shields, then ‘A Chill Wind off the Tyne’ (2018).

My last book, ‘He Wears a Blue Bonnet’ (about Scottish survivors of the Dunbar death march who were sold as indentured servants to work in the salt pans of Shields) – was published in 2022.

What is the new book about?

‘The Pit Boy’ is true story of the early life of my Granda’, Teddy, who was brought up in Wilson Street High Shields in the 1900s. His early days were marked by poverty. His Da’, a rivetter/boiler maker who had moved to Tyneside from Loughborough, died of rheumatics in 1902. Teddy’s Mam, Lizzi, took to the drink, and the family ended up in the Workhouse.

Back on the cobbled streets of Shields, Lizzie took up fish hawking, but when the drink took over, she abandoned Teddy and his brother Alf on a doorstep in Brunswick Street. She was sent down for two months for child cruelty and neglect.

Teddy started as a trapper lad at St Hilda colliery. He worked hard down the pit, went to night school, and when War broke out in 1914, he had become the youngest deputy in the Durham coalfield.

Why do you focus on South Shields?

After my Granda’ died in 1955 when I was six, my Nan, Gertie started coming for tea four times a week. ‘Tea’ went from half past two until six o’clock. She sat in an old wicker chair in the corner, drank tea and never stopped talking in her broad Geordie accent.

Her tales of old Sheelz still ring in my ears – of Dick Borke (Burke) the one-legged bookie, of when they ‘bornt Kredga in the streets’, (effigies of Kruger were hung from lampposts and burnt during the celebrations of the relief of Mafeking.) Although I left Shields in my early twenties, I love the town and the old memories kindled by my Nan.

When writing, is that when you are happiest?

I have always suffered with my nerves and had a breakdown in my second year at Oxford. I was advised to take a year off and went home. After a couple of weeks, me Mam told me that she didn’t want me moping round the house and if I was going to stay then I’d have to get a job and pay keep.

I tripped off down to the old Labour Exchange in Wawn Street and joined the long queues of men drawing their dole. There was only one job going in the whole of Shields – at Wrights Biscuits. I took it and learned more about life there than I ever had at Oxford.

I went back to my studies, and qualified as a Solicitor. I had a second nervous breakdown in my mid forties and have never fully recovered. I started writing as a form of occupational therapy and have kept it up. I am happy sitting at the keyboard researching my stories and then writing them.

It is fascinating to learn how folk lived a hundred years or so ago and then write about it. It’s not all I do but it’s now a settled part of my life.

As well as novels do you write short stories?

My first thought was to answer no – but then I reflected on how I started ‘The Five Stone Steps’. I had been intending to write a whodunit set in 1920s South Shields.

A very good friend of mine, Tommy Gordon, had taught me ragtime piano and I knew that his Da’, also Tom, but only ever called Jock, had been a Station Sergeant in the Shields police. I asked him about policing in the twenties and he went to his bookshelves and produced a dusty, dog-eared manuscript of his Da’s memoirs.

As I read these tales of Old South Shields, very much like those my Nan had remembered, I could almost hear Jock Gordon’s whisky voice as he sat down at a table by the fire to set his memories to paper.

I thought that one particular tale about publicans in old Shields putting out a little jug of whisky for the Bobbies on night shift might make a good story. My first book is in fact a collection of short stories but much like a ‘soap’ on telly all the tales connect-up.

What are your hopes for this book?

All my books are self-published with help from Uk Book Publishing in Whitley Bay, a great team. With the stranglehold Amazon has on the book trade it is nigh impossible for a self-publisher to make any money and the few independent bookshops that are left are reluctant to stock self-published books.

The only place in South Shields where my books can be bought is the Shop at The Word, so I rely on social media and word of mouth for my books to get known.

My hope for ‘The Pit Boy’is that a Tale of Old Shields will capture the imagination of folk and remind everyone of what a vibrant industrial town Shields was in the 1900s – that despite the poverty and hardship, folk stuck together, got on with life, and made the most of things.

I’m often accused of living in the past but we should all remember our forebears and their struggles – without them we wouldn’t be here!

Alikivi    June 2026

Search for more John Orton posts on the North East Music & Culture site.

ROKER ROAR with Sunderland poet Ronnie James

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Ronnie is in his mid 40s and was educated at Monkwearmouth school. He worked as a mental health therapist for 20 years.

“After leaving my professional life behind I decided to focus on myself and had some counselling and in the sessions found myself writing about the past.”

When he was young Ronnie had a traumatic experience where two of his friends were murdered.

“Talking about the horrendous murders that took place and the lads I knew hasn’t been easy to revisit. But the truth never is. It naturally pushed me towards writing.”  

“Also, in my youth I made a million bad decisions which resulted in a little holiday in the old mental health unit Cherry Knowles in Ryhope. This was also inspiration behind my writing.”

Earlier this year Ronnie met up with a couple of friends who have been supportive of his work. Two examples are added below. He is now looking to get some of his poems and a short story published.

“My friend has helped a lot with telling my story and I’ve really taken to poetry and bending words, its great fun.”

“This has all started to come together the last few months, I’ve got a couple of great editors working on the short story. The poems haven’t been edited yet.”

“We’ve had some really good feedback but if I’m honest, I think the story was born in Sunderland and I would like it continue to have a North East connection.”

What are your hopes for the work when it is published?

“I’m hoping the overall work of the two books is a positive message. Even when you think you are at rock bottom, believe it or not you can bounce back.” 

Alikivi    June 2024

This evening by Ronnie James

I wonder the meaning.

As I’m cleaning.

Am I right in believing.

This evening.

Isn’t for thieving.

Its for believing. 

My mate knows the meaning of this evening.

Talking goods times and current achievements

Its not for screaming or disbelieving.

Its time for escaping the machining.

And giving the evening a meaning

Mad Matty by Ronnie James

He resided in the bed next to me.

Long jet black crazy curly hair. As if he’d been electrocuted. God knows why he was there we never spoke. Apparently, I heard some horrible violence some staff I heard saying.

He was drugged to the point he couldn’t talk just laugh and giggle. He needed constant attention from staff. 

He would sleep under my bed at night.

I’d waken to hear a giggle. I’d look to my left and his bed would be empty. Bastards under my bed. I looked under upside down there he is. Giggling laughing, insanity, crazy eyes, evil. This happened a few times.

I went from trying to be his mate to him hissing like a wild cat at me under my bed to me completely exploding with anger to which either situation me being restrained by 3 or 4 men and Matty getting carted off to where ever.

After a few times of that and other situations 1 day he never came back. Apparently, he hung himself. He never got out the asylum.

DEMENTIA MATTERS – From Dialogue to Monologue in Newcastle’s Tyneside Irish Centre

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North East playwright Arthur Mackenzie has had a great career as a writer penning many episodes of TV classics such as ‘Casualty’ and ‘The Bill’. In 2024 he wrote a book of monologues for female actors to raise money for a dementia charity but asked the publisher to omit his name from the cover as he wished to remain anonymous.

All proceeds from the book were donated to ‘Dementia Matters.’ Arthur’s wife has dementia which is what inspired him to write the book ‘From Dialogue To Monologue.’ 

With the help of the North East Acting & Writing Hub, this Friday 5th June from 7pm five of those scripted pieces are being performed in Newcastle at The Tyneside Irish Centre to raise money for Age UK North Tyneside which helps dementia patients in the region.


Arthur Mackenzie explained “I’m delighted that Steve Wraith from the ‘North East Acting and Writing Hub’ in Gateshead offered to promote a showcase of my monologues. There may be laughter and tears but I hope people take something from the evening.” 

Photo left to right Steve Wraith, Libby Walker, Sharon Percy, Arthur Mackenzie, Jayne Mackenzie, Alison Stanley and Dawn Wilkinson.

Steve said “I’ve known Arthur for over 38 years now. I did my first play for him aged 16 playing the part of the Lord Mayor in ‘Exclusive’ at The Peoples Theatre. In 2014 I debuted a play about speed dating for him at South Shields Customs House called ‘GSOH Would Like To Meet’. So, I was only too pleased to help Arthur with this project.”

Steve added “Two year ago I published the monologues for him anonymously at his request to raise money for ‘Dementia Matters.’ Now Arthur has agreed to put his name to the project and myself, Neil Jackson and Catarina De Cezzane at the North East Acting and Writing Hub in Gateshead have pulled the project together.”

“We have a very talented group of Actors including Sharon Percy, Libby Walker, Alison Stanley, Jayne Mackenzie and Dawn Wilkinson who have kindly given up their time for free which means we shall raise some much needed funds for Dementia Patients.”

All proceeds from the evening will go towards Age UK North Tyneside. Tickets are £5 on the door. 

June 2026

THE MERCHANT OF GATESHEAD – New Acting & Writing Hub to Launch this Summer.

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Photo LtoR Steve Wraith, Martin Hylton (CEO Gateway Studio), Catarina De Cezanne and Neil Jackson

A new initiative for actors and writers is set to launch in Gateway Studio on Gateshead High Street this summer. The Hub is designed to give local playwrights the opportunity to hear their work performed to a live audience, and giving actors a professional stage to ply their craft.

The team behind the new initiative are award-winning Portuguese screenwriter and film maker Catarina De Cezanne, producer and filmmaker Neil Jackson plus Steve Wraith, Actor and Writer who explained…

There is a wealth of creative talent in the North East but a lack of opportunities for those creatives to express themselves. We approached Gateshead Council with our project and they helped us get the ball rolling.

It is so important for writers to hear their script read and performed by actors. If gives them a chance to hear audience reaction, what they like, what they don’t like, what makes them laugh or cry and what does and doesn’t work. 

Have any dates been planned for shows?

We have 5 dates filled already. We are launching with a comedy that I have written called ‘The End Of Our World’ which will be performed by Rod Glenn and Kathryn Sabourn on July 29th at 6pm. This will be our official launch night which will also see us officially launch our film company ANBOC Films Ltd. 

Is it free to enter and do the creatives get paid?

It is free and people can enter all year round. All script writers selected and actors cast will all be paid a fee for their work and performance. 

Has this initiative been done in Gateshead before?

There have been initiatives of this type across the region but this is a first for Gateshead town centre. 

What are your hopes for the project?

We hope to discover new talent across the region. We certainly feel that there is a gap in the creative world for this type of scheme. My experience of theatre locally as a professional actor is that it is very much a closed shop to the majority and it is difficult to get a break. We will be looking to break new talent each month and giving them a chance to gain some experience. Long term we would love to expand this across the borough of Gateshead. 

The scheme has secured backing from Gateshead Council, with funding provided through the North East Combined Authority (NECA). For more information contact >>>

Home

Alikivi   June 2026

REIVER READS – with Hexham author, historian & book dealer Robb Turnbull

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57 year old Robb Turnbull read history at Ruskin College Oxford and Northumbria University. He is author of two books ‘Left for the Rising Sun – Right For Swan Hunter’, also, the follow up biography of Noah Ablett, ‘Climbing Mount Sinai’.

‘I’ve previously written for TLS, BBC History Magazine, Medieval History, Jacobin, The Morning Star, Medieval Living; and have just written a book aimed at teenagers and young people on the bloody history of the 14 C Scottish Borders – ‘Flight of the Frescobaldi’ will be published later this year” said Hexham born Robb.

“I still live there along with my wife Kim, who is part of Reiver Reads.”

What is Reiver Reads and what are its main aims?

‘Reiver Reads is a radical and socialist bookshop based in Carlisle’s historic Victorian Market Hall. The shop was opened by Kim and I in July 2023. Our aim is to provide a space for discussion and debate in a friendly and welcoming environment, and to act as a counterweight to the advance of the far right who are rapidly gaining ground in Carlisle.’

‘As the parents of an openly gay child, Kim and I are acutely aware of the rising tide of hostility directed at anyone who may appear different, and so Reiver Reads if it is about anything, is about education to counter that prejudice. As a result, we have recently teamed up with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and will shortly be selling their merchandise.’

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was attacked by a gang of boys in 2007 for being different. Link to full story and website >>>  The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

My house is full of books, have read since I was a kid and still go to the library. Are people like me a dying breed?

‘You raise an interesting point. I would say the majority of our customers are in the 40 plus age bracket which suggests that children and young people are not reading. I think it’s more nuanced than this. I was in Newcastle yesterday with our two year old grandson and the children’s section in Waterstones was busy.’

Regarding future plans we are hoping to start a book delivery service around Carlisle for those with limited mobility. The idea came via a good friend of ours who struggles to walk. It still needs work, but the idea is there.

‘As regards our First Saturday Talks, we are looking to increase our range of speakers, and subjects. I would love it if we could have Dr Janina Ramirez for example.’ 

For more information on Reiver Reads contact the Facebook page.

More reading from Robb Turnbull:  

‘Left for the Rising Sun- Right For Swan Hunter’ – The Plebs League in the North East of England 1908-1926 (Five Leaves Press, Nottingham 2014).

‘Climbing Mount Sinai’ biography of Noah Ablett 1883-1935, (Socialist History Society 2017)

Alikivi   June 2026

TOUCHED BY CANCER – Tits Up on tour with actress, writer & theatre producer Alison Stanley

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Alison Stanley, Katie Potts, Crissy Rock & Leah Bell.

A UK tour is planned for ‘Tits Up.’ The play is based on the real life story of women with breast cancer. It’s written by Alison Stanley and Leah Bell who also star in the show along with Crissy Rock and Katie Potts. 

The show played at a sold out North East venue this year. You must be pleased with this Alison?

I’m really pleased with how everything is going. The audiences have been great and the reviews have been amazing. I think the subject matter (breast cancer) is relatable to so many people, in fact I really don’t know many people whose lives haven’t been touched by cancer in some way.

I think this play is really important in raising awareness, it looks at the lives of very different women. It looks at women who have caring responsibilities as well as dealing with their diagnosis. This puts an entirely different slant on dealing with cancer when you have to care for others as well.

We also wanted to look at breast cancer in very young women. Most people think breast cancer is an older person’s disease but the fact is young women can get this too. We hope that this play encourages young women to check themselves.

Are you looking forward to the tour and taking the show to new venues?

I’m really looking forward to touring. This tour goes all over the UK in October to coincide with breast cancer awareness month. I’m looking forward to new theatres and new audiences also playing some old favourites. There are some really beautiful theatres in the UK.

We’re also playing in the North East at Alnwick Playhouse, South Shields Customs House and Live Theatre in Newcastle, so it’s great to be showing out on home turf. 

What type of audiences do you think the show will attract?

Cancer affects everyone so we have people who have their own cancer journeys, their families, health professionals and theatre goers who want to be entertained by a great story. All very different audiences of all types of people. The play is raw, honest, heartfelt and at times hilarious. 

‘Tits Up’ starring Crissy Rock, Katie Potts, Leah Bell & Alison Stanley is playing across the UK in October 2026.

Alikivi   May 2026

Links to previous interviews >>>

CLASS ACT in conversation with Newcastle actor, writer & theatre producer Leah Bell | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

RISKY BUSINESS – in conversation with writer, actor & theatre producer Alison Stanley | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

THE NAME OF THE GAME with Writer & Theatre producer Alison Stanley | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE

THE BATTLE OF BOLINGBROKE – The Borestiffers 50th anniversary gig

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Where were you in the latter half of the 70s? New Rose by the Damned was the first single released by an English punk band, Monty Pythons Flying Circus became as big an influence on TV comedy than The Beatles had on music and before the end of the decade audiences were exposed to their surreal comedy film ‘The Life of Brian’. Sadly, millions mourned across the world as 1977 claimed the life of Elvis Presley.

However, here in South Shields also in 77, boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali visited the town to have his wedding blessed at Laygate Mosque. And legendary punk band Angelic Upstarts formed and within a few year appeared on Top of the Pops and toured the USA. Before making it they gigged at the Bolingbroke Hall in the town. Another crew who played in that hall were The Borestiffers.

Who were The Borestiffers? The Borestiffers featured an early Wavis O’Shave he of later musical fame and appearances on live TV music show The Tube, other members included Heedfuzz, Braddy, Teddy Anteater and John ‘Fig Roll’ Davies who would rarely turn up. February this year was the 50th anniversary of that notorious gig played in front of several rival gangs of the town.

A surreal non-musical skiff-lish group playing empty suitcases, sooty guitars, bullworkers and even a kitchen sink, The Borestiffers in total recorded two cassette albums, played four gigs in South Shields, three at Bolingbroke in 76 and one at The People’s Palace in 77. But it was the initial gig that ended in a riot that remains in folklore memory.

Heedfuzz, Wavis, Braddy & Teddy.

I hear you had some trouble during your Bolingbroke rehearsal?

WAVIS:  Two of hardest men in the town used to work out in the gym there and when they heard us making such a racket they turned up to see what was happening. All of the band went deadly silent and I had to explain. When they asked how much we charged admission I told them, a slice of bread, hard boiled egg or a stick of celery.

HEEDFUZZ: They wanted to sit in on the rehearsal of the first piece of our noise. Once we finished, they silently returned to the gym.

Who and how many turned up – any local ‘celebs’ of the town?

WAVIS: There was a fair turn out from about four different rival town gangs – Whiteleas, Biddick Hall, the Nook and Westoe.

BIG PHIL: There were about twenty members of the Whiteleas Estate Aggro Boys – most of them didn’t have a clue what to expect. I knew it was going to be nuts but the idea of trouble wasn’t in my mind, we were a well-known gang of lads who stood together in times of trouble.

HEEDFUZZ: About 50 or so attendees from various parts of the town. Turf warfare was a common practice during the 70s.

Teddy, Braddy & Heedfuzz

What songs were on the set list?

WAVIS: Most I recall were from the first Borestiffers cassette album ‘Black Shoes and Mongooses’ like Rubber Song where we dropped the stylus onto the rubber turntable and chanted ‘Rubber song’. Three different songs about shoes, one making it to my ‘Anna Ford’s Bum’ album, also Josepheener Tursepheeners with accompanied customised absurd dance.

HEEDFUZZ: We also did The Seven Puppets of Corbett – spoofing the Queen hit, and it was about The Sooty Show. Intro music was the Can Can followed by a loud recording of an outside back yard toilet flushing where we entered the stage, wandered round like lost souls, and then re-entered again.

Can you remember how you were dressed?

WAVIS: I had a Subbuteo floodlight strapped on my head and played a Sooty guitar.

HEEDFUZZ:  I had a top hat with a child’s pink telephone attached around the rim with elastic bands, and a tailcoat.

BIG PHIL: The gig itself was so surreal many of the lads just couldn’t cope with what they had witnessed – the weird outfits, the fact that the group couldn’t play. I was in heaven.

On the night was there a compere?

WAVIS; Nope, we had no one to spare but I doubt anyone would offer if we did, but we did have member of the Sunderland Hells Angels on the door as a bouncer who in later life featured on various TV shows as Martial arts instructor. His jacket was padded out with multiple parts of a lathe.

HEEDFUZZ: Spike Milligan would have been superb but he had earlier wrote to Wavis declining an invite to manage us thinking we were musical.

Heedfuzz, Braddy, Wavis & Teddy. pic taken in the famous South Shields landmark The Westoe Netty.

Why did you choose to play Bolingbroke Hall?

WAVIS: I had to tell the owners that we wanted it for a poetry recital otherwise I doubt they’d have given it us. Eight quid it cost. I thought it was the perfect size venue for an expected sizeable gathering and if there were any trouble which I’d predicted, they’d be plenty of space for people to fight! It inspired the Angelic Upstarts to book the place.

HEEDFUZZ: It was a suitable size and ideally situated in the centre of town ideal for public transport.

BIG PHIL: At the end it all erupted, and the place got trashed in unison by all the gangs there. On the way home everyone was laughing in bewilderment. We knew we had witnessed something out of the ordinary but most couldn’t grasp what! I was a bit upset about the mini riot but over the moon that I had witnessed so much absurdity in such a short space of time.

HEEDFUZZ: On the way to the show I met a kid who was going and he opened his wallet to prove he had a ticket as well as a slice of bread in there asking if it was really needed. I told him it was a charity gig for the Marine Park wildlife.

Alikivi   April 2026

CRIMINAL MIND with Cullercoats author Glynis Drew

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Glynis was born in Cullercoats, a small fishing village on the North East Coast of England.

‘Where I spent a happy, carefree childhood. Cullercoats Bay was, literally, at the end of my street, and the village had a real community feel – it still does. Now aged 63, I haven’t moved too far from where I grew up.’

Her creative writing journey began at the age of eight.

‘In reality, I was copying the themes and formats of children’s authors. At the age of 11, I was still making notes for my first full-length story book – Five at Mystery Camp!’

‘Leaving school, I wanted to do something other than sit behind a desk – so with the qualifications I had, I was encouraged to spend the next 45 years working behind a desk! I also took on part-time work all within the Cullercoats or North Shields area. I was a barmaid, had a go at working as a housekeeper and one job was cleaning a local morgue. The smell was one of bleach and cleaning products but the atmosphere was spooky and spine tingling. I dreaded every shift – my imagination sometimes does get the better of me.’

Who inspired you to start writing?

‘Growing up, I would spend a lot of time in Cullercoats library, and my first real interest in reading came from Enid Blyton mystery stories. By the time I joined Marden High School in North Shields, it seemed my natural reading progression was to jump from Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series to James Herbet – The Rats – a huge leap in genre. My imagination was ignited, and my storytelling went up a few notches!’

‘I created my DCI Caron Dell crime fiction novels in 2005, and have written several short stories – none of which are published. I began taking things more seriously when my daughter, Beth, a singer-songwriter, wrote a piece called Stay Young. Something about that song lit a fire in me—and that spark become the basis for my first novel.’

‘To date, I have written and self-published two books from my DCI Caron Dell series: Dying to Stay Young and Where is January Blue?’ 

Have you surprised yourself?

‘I am surprised at how engrossed I have become in my research, whilst developing personality profiles, locations, and murder! Autopsies were an eye-opener, too!’

‘I’m learning something new each time I delve into the world of DCI Caron Dell – she is a stalwart for justice. And, I’m totally bowled over by the interest and support I’ve received, not just from family and friends, but from people I haven’t even met. So, a huge thank you – genuinely, I value everyone’s support.’

 How was your debut book received?

‘My first book Dying to Stay Young, has good reviews on Amazon and five-star reviews in Goodreads. I am delighted by the feedback. Another huge thanks to those who have taken the time to read my books and to those who have left a review.’

‘At the beginning of March 26, Cullercoats Library hosted an event for me to talk about my DCI Dell novels. The venue was very fitting. Providing more detail about DCI Caron Dell and having a face-to-face discussion has encouraged me to continue my storytelling. For my first event, I was grateful for a full room and an engaged audience.’

While researching have you come across any unusual stories?

‘Not unusual, but more surprising. Whilst listening to Professor David Wilson, a Criminology expert, I was shocked by the low number of convictions for crimes against vulnerable groups. With one statistic flooring me – 2% of abuse against women crimes actually lead to a conviction.’

‘Obviously, there is more to the stats, but what is worth noting is that not all crimes are reported, so what is the real percentage? Is it higher or lower? I don’t think we’ll ever know for certain. My interest was piqued, and my hunger to write psychological thrillers grew.’

Would you like to see any of your books adapted for the stage or TV?

‘Absolutely, that would be utopia!’

For further information and upcoming releases contact the official website >>>

 Drews Fiction

Alikivi   March 2026