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Call the Police – There’s a Comedian Around
A Funny – and Tragic – Memoir of Life in the Met
by Paul Byrne
Paul Byrne joined London’s Metropolitan Police by mistake. By day a Detective Inspector, by night a stand-up comedian, this is a memoir of law enforcement not exactly going to plan. DI Byrne walked a tightrope of death, destruction and disaster, much of it caused by himself. From a near-death experience at the hands of the Australian SAS to causing a diplomatic incident with North Korea, it was a hell of a ride. Yet sucked into a dark and troubling whirlpool of police corruption, eventually he would be forced out of the service a broken man. Paul remains the only serving police officer to be mugged on duty – and the only one to be sacked for writing satire. His story shines an amusing, and at times horrifying, light into the darkest corners of Britain’s largest police force.
“A fascinating account – full of tragic and hilarious stories shot through with Byrne’s wonderful appreciation of the absurdity of life…” – ARTHUR SMITH
Revelations of a TV Director – Royston Mayoh
by Royston Mayoh
Beware of the Bull – PAPERBACK
(NB: THIS IS PAPERBACK VERSION. HARDBACK CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE)
The labour and the love seep from every page. For Old Molly Metcalfe, for Leopold Alcocks, for Sister Josephine, but mostly for yourself, if your hands aren’t too encumbered, gather a book or two for Jake…” – Jon Richardson
“A timely paean to a velvet larynxed, storytelling wonderman…” – Cerys Matthews
by Paul Thompson and John Watterson
Beware of the Bull – The Enigmatic Genius of Jake Thackray is the critically-acclaimed first biography of the late, great singer-songwriter.
Admired by Neil Gaiman, Jarvis Cocker, Alex Turner and Thea Gilmore, among others, Jake was one of the greatest and most original artists of the twentieth century; a unique talent and master storyteller whose songs are full of wit, poetry, irreverence and humanity.
The book reveals a life as extraordinary as his writing: difficult upbringing in the terraces of Leeds; strict Catholic education; transformative experiences in France and Algeria; time as an inspirational, unorthodox and highly creative teacher; meteoric development as a writer and performer; subsequent discovery by the BBC; Abbey Road recordings and influence on The Beatles; fame, fortune and remarkable television career… and Jake’s rejection of it all.
It is a story of a complex, charismatic and self-effacing man whom many loved, but few understood. Beware of the Bull was written with the full support of the Thackray family. Exclusive access to personal papers has allowed for the inclusion of a wealth of rare poems, photographs and ‘lost’ lyrics.
This paperback edition comes with a new foreword by the comedian Jon Richardson, an afterword by the authors, and further appendices with author Neil Gaiman and the distinguished conductor and composer Sir William Southgate.
*Among the Daily Telegraph‘s pick of the best music books of 2022*
Paperback – 512 pages
*Postage and packing included with UK orders only. Overseas customers may call us direct on 00 44 113 225 9797 during UK office hours, or order via this site and we will then reply to quote the required amount of postage for your country
Sandy’s Great Northern Cookbook
70 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Capture the Essence of the North
with Bake Off’s Sandy Docherty
Rarely seen without a rolling pin, Sandy Docherty appeared on The Great British Bake-Off in 2015 and has been a regular guest on local radio and Channel 4 since – talking especially about food from the land of her birth. She achieved GBBO’s legendary ‘Hollywood Handshake’ for her rich chocolate-indulgent Yorkist Tart – among the recipes featured in this, her first collection of culinary treasures specific to northern English traditions. Each mouthwatering suggestion comes with a little potted history and instructions for deliciously moreish creations perfect for any time of day, whether for solo indulgence or enjoyably shared with family and friends. Learn how to make Leeds soup, Swaledale lamb and mint pies, Whitby chowder, Helvellyn butter, Batley truffle, Moggy and so much more… Plus, of course, the definitive recipe for Yorkshire Puddings in a book designed to evoke the sounds and smells of Sandy’s mother’s kitchen.
“Full of classy Yorkshire fodder. I look forward to trying them all!” – Julian Norton, The Yorkshire Vet
The History of Schools’ Rugby League in Leeds
by Steve Boothroyd
From the early Cup-winning Bramley National and Hunslet Carr teams, through some outstanding Hunslet and Leeds representative sides, to the modern-day national girls’ champions from Corpus Christi, there is a rich and proud history of schools’ rugby league in the city of Leeds.
The History of Schools’ Rugby League in Leeds catalogues the story of the game in words and photographs – reflecting on the changes, highlighting influential teacher-coaches and administrators, and of course focusing on the many schools and teams that have played the sport since the first organised competitions in the early part of the twentieth century.
