GRANDMOTHER and former weaver Winnie Bridges is spinning a new tale about the rich tapestry of life in a Lancashire cotton town.

Her illustrated book Threads of Lancashire Life, to be published in June, is the second by the remarkable 67-year-old authoress who left school at 13 and brought up 11 children.

At 50 she began studying, going on to gain a degree in history and English at Salford University, and later an MSc degree.

To obtain her degree she wrote about life in her home town of Great Harwood and Winnie, of Cambridge Street, has now turned her thesis into a book.

The author begins in her parents' time setting the scene for her arrival in 1929.

She moves on to 1959, by which time she was a mother and a weaver, and comments on life in "Snuffy Arrod" since then.

Her story is told from the perspective of a young Catholic girl in a rented house in which lodgers were taken to boost the family's income. She tells of childhood games, school and church-going, of attitudes, working for a living, courting, wartime restrictions and pleasures and of the well-to-do ladies of the town who influenced work and play for those lower down the social scale.

Publisher Bob Dobson, of Blackpool-based Landy Publishing, has taken on Winnie's book after it was declined by at least two others.

The ex-Accrington lad was drawn to the book because it reminded him so much of his own upbringing in the town.

"I began to look on Winnie's mother as my grandma," said Bob.

"It was as if Winnie were writing about my family. Everyone from North East Lancashire will recognise themselves in it.

"This is real social history - Lancashire wi' nowt tekken out."

The 100-page paperback, illustrated with photographs of Great Harwood, will cost £7.

The publisher is seeking subscribers to help fund the printing costs and is offering copies for £6, including postage, to those who subscribe before March 31.

Subscribers will have their names listed in the book and receive a copy signed by Winnie.

Full details can be obtained from Bob on 01253 895678. Winnie's first book Educating Grandma came out in 1988 and told of her fight to become a bachelor of education.

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