Liz Trenow in conversation - Event Report

The dark clouds of war are gathering across Europe and the brightest minds in Britain have been brought together in a grand manor on the Suffolk coast. These select few have been tasked by Churchill to develop, in utmost secrecy, an invention that will help win the war and alter the course of history.

In this tense atmosphere, an unlikely friendship develops between Vic, a brilliant but shy physicist, and Kathleen, a local girl helping her mother in the kitchens. Kath is keen to do her bit for the war effort so when Vic tells her they are recruiting women to operate his top secret system, she makes a choice that will change her life forever.

This gripping romantic drama is centred on real-life events at the top secret, wartime research station near Felixstowe. It tells the story of the people behind the discovery of radar.

Liz Trenow is the author of several historical novels including The Last Telegram, The Forgotten Seamstress and The Poppy Factory. Her first two books were inspired by her family's story as silk weavers in Suffolk. She is a former journalist who worked on regional and national newspapers, BBC radio and television news, before writing fiction.

Liz Trenow is possibly best known for her hugely popular debut novel The Last Telegram which relates her own family story in the silk trade through the generations in Sudbury. Tonight she joined us in Woodbridge Library to talk about her latest novel, her seventh, which returns to an enigmatic Suffolk setting.

Liz provided a slide show of images of Bawdsey Manor over the years, from its creation by Cuthbert Quilter, through its use as a base for radar scientists and WAAFs in wartime, to its current guise as a holiday centre for young people.

Volunteers from Bawdsey Radar Trust were present to share their insight and they provided a display to view as guests lined up to receive their signed copies of 'Under a Wartime Sky'.

Liz sent her thanks:

It was a lovely evening, and thank you for organising it so efficiently! It was a real treat to be so well 'looked after' and I met so many people who had long and interesting connections with Bawdsey.

Liz was speaking at Woodbridge Library. Tickets were £12 and include a copy of 'Under a Wartime Sky' (RRP £7.99).