Book Launches & Events

One important aspect of our publishing is the Book Launch. After the many months, often years, in research, presentation and printing, it is great to bring the finished product to the public. These Book Launches are more than a sales exercise, they give us, as publishers, a chance to interact with you, the readers, to get feedback on our previous publications and, in many cases, a chance to find out that little snippet of information that has eluded us for so long.

For Long may our Lion Roar we held two launch events. The first was at Waterstones Bookshop in Broad Street, Reading on Saturday 9th September as a part of their 2017 Heritage Open Days event.

Three weeks later, on Sunday 1st October, Daphne was again present to sign copies of the book at the 140th Birthday Celebrations for Kendrick School. Many of her peers from some 55 years ago also attended and there were visitors from Canada and Australia as well as those still in various parts of Great Britain and Europe. A selection of photographs taken at various book launches can be seen below:

Corridor Press' links with The Palmer Academy, Reading.

Our association with The Palmer Academy (Formerly George Palmer Schools) in Reading goes back to 2003 when we started research for a book to celebrate the centenary of the George Palmer Schools in preparation for the 2007 celebration. That book was So many hearts make a school - the centenary of the George Palmer Schools in Reading. It was during a reunion of former pupils in February 2004 that one made the comment that there were so many lovely photographs but she would never see them in print as she did not think she would still be alive in 2007!! Using this as a catalyst, we were able to assemble the best of the photographs and in just 6 weeks George Palmer School in Photographs 1907 - 2004 was produced a small 40 page book of black and white photographs covering those years.

Within ten years, that original book was in need of a further re-print so we took the opportunity to expand it from 40 to 48 pages and incorporate colour photographs for the first time, thus creating a new book George Palmer School in Photographs 1907 - 2014.

Each year since 2004, a presentation has taken place at The Palmer Academy (formerly George Palmer Primary School), 70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, towards the end of the Summer Term when a copy of this photographic record is presented to each of the leaving Year 6 pupils. The cost of these books has been covered thanks to the generosity of former pupils, members of staff and governors sponsoring books for the current year leavers.

Ten years ago Daphne herself was reunited with Pat Angrisano who had been at George Palmer with her in the early 1950s. The top left hand photograph shows Daphne and Pat in a group photo from 1955 (both are in the back row, Pat Cunningham being on the far left and Daphne Barnes second from the right) and reunited again in the bottom photograph at the 2014 presentation.

One of the keenest supporters of these book presentations was Jack Taylor, himself a former pupil of three of the George Palmer Schools. "Taylor-Made Jackpot" was published by Corridor Press in May 2012 to celebrate his 85th Birthday. Jack passed away in 2014 and we have jointly dedicated the latest version of "George Palmer School in Photographs 1907-2014" to him and to former governor of the School, Jamie Chaudhary, who pre-deceased him by a week. Daphne and Jack can be seen in the middle left hand photograph which was taken at the launch of "Taylor-Made Jackpot" at Waterstone's, Broad Street, Reading on 20th June, 2012.

Another keen supporter of our work with The Palmer Academy was Andrew Palmer, the great-great grandson of George Palmer (after whom the School was named). George Palmer was the co-founder of the famous biscuit manufacturers Huntley & Palmers. Andrew is pictured here in 2007 with the then Head-teacher of George Palmer Primary School, Ann Snowdon, and the oldest surviving former pupil at that time, Ernie Holt, who was 101 during the school's Centenary year.