Foxash: 'A wonderfully atmospheric and deeply unsettling novel' Sarah Waters

Product Information

The LSA Offices, where tenants’ accounts were managed and marketing of LSA produce took place, were accommodated in the same building. In the 1940s Edward Wiseman was the LSA accountant, prior to being book-keeper at Newbourne LSA. He left in 1952 to become accountant at Sidlesham LSA. The unease and darkness grows till about three quarters of the way through, the unease turns into an even darker feeling of dread. I have to say firstly that if you have suffered miscarriage or baby loss then I'd definitely give this one a miss.*

Foxash by Kate Worsley | Hachette UK Foxash by Kate Worsley | Hachette UK

Foxash Growers was established and operated until July 2012 (Company Number IP24049R) Most former LSA independent companies have now ceased trading – Snaith Salads, a subsidiary of Yorkshire Salads in still operational. Something about the book blurb on NetGalley made me think I would enjoy reading this book, and my thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC. As it turns out, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I don’t know whether that’s because I misread the description or because it was, as it felt to me, a different book to what was described. What I loved most about Foxash is the way that the author weaves in rural lore, such as going to tell the bees about significant events, and the natural changes in the countryside as the seasons change. It is almost claustrophobic in its detailed descriptions of the countryside, the oppressive heat of the greenhouse and the chill of winter mornings with the cry of foxes. Lettie’s world was never vast, but it has become much smaller: she never leaves the smallholding and seldom meets anyone other than her neighbours. As compensation she learns to observe nature and how it behaves in a way that she hasn’t previously, and we seldom would today. We witness the growth and transformation that envelops everything, even Lettie herself. Oh and there’s quite a lot of information about lettuces! The Radleys have been accepted by a government scheme aimed at resettling the unemployed, and Tommy has gone ahead of Lettie to learn the art of being a smallholder. At first everything seems to be going swimmingly. Their new neighbours, Adam and Jean Dent, are an older couple and experienced smallholders. They offer friendship and educate the newcomers about growing their crops and taking care of their animals. The younger pair must reach a certain standard during a probation period, or risk losing their home and livelihood. Lettie seems to forgive everyone except herself for any failings, but she is suspicious of the Dents and their over-familiarity with her husband. She was the first to have achieved four certifications in saddle fitting from three different countries and has quite literally travelled the globe to soak up knowledge on the subject.Whilst the story is a very human one, the land and the seasons play a major part in the plot development. I was reminded of Lolly Willowes (Sylvia Townsend Warner) and also All Among the Barley (Melissa Harrison), yet this is a new (to me) voice with an intriguing and addictive voice.

Foxash Land Settlement Association - KITW

Georgie is extremely proud that she has earnt the opportunity of a placement as a lecturer at two equine colleges and universities in the UK, with further lectures and clinics happening in many venues around the world. In addition, she is also a regular contributor to the Horse and Rider Magazine offering answers to help them with horse, saddle and rider issues. With this kind of feeling, right about now I’d be expecting some kind of supernatural interference to occur.The manager of the LSA, appointed by the government, lived in Good Hall House on Coggeshall Road. The adjoining farmyard was used for storing LSA machinery. Alix Dunmore is a brilliant narrator and she really made the book feel so atmospheric. She really brought the book to life - she was quite simply Lettie . The first thing I noticed about Foxash by Kate Worsley is the stunning cover. The book definitely lives up to its promise but in a most unexpected way. The allocation of smallholdings to the unemployed was suspended at the outbreak of the Second World War through the necessity of increasing food production; favour was then given to those already with horticultural skills. After the war the Association was incorporated within the 1947 Agricultural Act for statutory provision of smallholdings designed as a first step for those going into agricultural production. A Maintenance Unit, based behind the LSA stores, was responsible for repairs to houses and glasshouses with specialist plumbers, carpenters, etc. The team was led by Phil Hooper, who later moved to Spain. “The maintenance man in the 1960s and early 70s was Bill Lay Flurrie who apparently fixed most things with a large hammer and some nails!! He needed to mix a small amount of cement at ours once and used the washing up bowl from the kitchen!” (Diane King, nee Chapman No 19)

Colchester Gateway Clubs

The Propagation Unit (Props) was located at Home Farm (Home Farm Lane), managed by Peter Spiers during the 1960s/70s. It was dissolved at the closure and became Foxash Horticultural Services. Combining a gothic sensibility with a visceral, unsettling sense of place, Foxash is a deeply original novel of quiet and powerful menace, of the real hardships of rural life, and the myths and folklore that seep into ordinary lives - with surprising consequences. In the book, Tommy and Lettie are from one the Pit Town of Easington, one of the areas that was viable for the scheme due to high unemployment. And not forgetting our young audiences, fun and games are firmly on the menu at Harlow Library on June 17. Join us for this year’s Family Fun Day, a day of free family-friendly activities including baby and toddler rhymetime, family storytime, colouring activities and Ozobots robot kits. Other activities will include a special performance by Livewire Theatre Group and a writing workshop led by Essex-based children’s author and educator Sade Fadipe. And a considerable part of the success of 'Foxash' for me is Alex Dunmore's performance of the audiobook. She imbues miniscule dips and peaks of emotion; she gestures with her voice as it wavers, gulps, breathes fluctuations in Lettie's inner monologues and dialogue with others. I was entirely caught up in her spellbinding narration.I wasn’t too sure what to expect from Foxash by Kate Worsley. It’s set in the not too distant past, in the 1930s. I was not familiar the Land Settlement Association scheme and found it really interesting reading about it.

The Land settlement — Manningtree Museum

Foxash is a rather unusual novel, and all the better for it. The setting is interesting, and one I had never heard of - a 1930's British government scheme to get former industrial workers into agricultural work. Very interesting premise and vividly portrayed.

What is the easting and northing of Foxash Estate?

And there’s an underlying darkness throughout the book and you can’t quite put your finger on why you feel uneasy.