A LOCAL author will give an illustrated talk about her book.
Calling WPC Crockford is the first of a trio of books that author Ruth D’Alessandro has been commissioned to write.
They are all about her mother, Gwendolen, who served in the Berkshire Constabulary.
The stories follow her career as she worked her way up through police ranks during the 1950s.
Ruth’s memoir of her mother paints a picture of a pioneering female officer in the days before beat police had radios.
Set in a world of post-war austerity, the book reveals a society on the brink of enormous change.
It has been described as a love story to Wokingham, but it’s also the inspiring account of a bright and determined woman, who learns to navigate a man’s world, while helping others.
There is a colourful cast of characters, including fun-loving WPC Pattie Baxter, fearsome WPS Miss Robertshaw and probation officer Hilda Bloom.
Stories of burglaries and chasing escaped circus animals collide with darker child protection themes.
Ruth says:
“My book is located in and around the town, and it’s full of references to real places, some of which still exist: Seaford Road, The Emmbrook, The Women’s Institute, The Ship Inn.
“It’s a picture of an atmospheric old market town, and it’s a place of ghost stories and history.
“I’m very much looking forward to giving the talk in Wokingham.
“I grew up in Shinfield, but we often came to the town to shop – it’s a special place for me.”
Calling WPC Crockford has been compared to Call The Midwife in style.
“It’s unashamedly like the television series,” she admits.
“I used to watch Call The Midwife, and think, there’s a parallel story here to be told about women police officers.”
Is the book a fiction, then, or based on fact?
“It’s based on my mother’s own memoires and real stories from newspapers of the day,” she explains.
“I was first inspired to write about my mother in 2017 on National Women’s Day.
“People were posting pictures of inspirational women and I thought, my mum’s something of a pioneer, so I posted her picture along with a bit about her career.”
A friend suggested that Ruth should write her mother’s memoires.
“I had all the stories she told me, but I needed more material, so I enquired about police archives,” continues Ruth.
“Unfortunately, people were not at all careful about keeping these, and most of them had been thrown away.
“I contacted The British Library and searched historic newspapers and found all my mother’s stories in the articles.
“A few characters have been amalgamated for legal reasons, but much of the content is what actually happened.”
Both of Ruth’s parents were in the police force.
“My mum stopped working before she had me, but it was a case of ‘once a police officer, always a police officer’, she says.
“Mum had laser eyes, and she could spot me telling a fib a mile off.”
How does Ruth go about writing?
“I have to be very disciplined,” she explains.
“As well as writing my books, I’m a commercial copy writer.
“For two and a half days each week I write technical articles about very modern topics such as A.I.
“Then I have to switch off and go back to the 1950s.
“I work best in the mornings, so I usually start writing at 7am or 8am, but sometimes if I’m really inspired, I can suddenly realise it’s two in the morning.
“It’s a compulsion, and I get twitchy if I don’t have a book on the go.”
How does Ruth feel about coming to Wokingham?
“I’m really excited.
“This is where it all started.”
Ruth D’Alessandro’s talk is free and will take place in the new Wokingham Library at the Carnival Hub.
The event takes place on Saturday, October 22.
It runs from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Ruth will be available for book signing afterwards.
