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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 5d

Research for my next book is now under steam @wiltonsquare.bsky.social & promises to be anything but boring!

open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

What connected Quakers with the Titanic?

I was surprised, and the story will appear in my next book, due out in 2027

open.substack.com

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 9d

An autumn Saturday is a time for reflection, putting me in the right mood to hear Simon Barnes speak in Aldeburgh this morning

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There's something about autumn light

Our Suffolk landscape has a spiritual quality, if you stop rushing to see it.

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Reposted by Robert Ashton

Eye Books @eyebooks.bsky.social · 14d

We were chuffed that Hilary Taylor took the runner-up award at last week’s New Angle Prize, and that four of the six shortlisted books – by @robertashton.bsky.social, @katharineq.bsky.social & Amanda Addison – are now published by us or our sister company @wiltonsquare.bsky.social. Full story ⤵️

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 14d

Brilliant to pop into @shuckhappens.bsky.social l at #Minories #Colchester today @wiltonsquare.bsky.social & be told that they loved my latest book; they even remembered my name! #ProudAuthorMoment #ColchesterBookEvent?

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 15d

After a period of creative constipation, when a new book begins to emerge, you have to go with it, so today I am writing in a rather nice hotel at #Lavenham

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 16d

There's more to Leiston than meets the eye! See what I discovered last night here: open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 18d

Tonight's New Angle Prize dinner has prompted me to reflect on my relationship with #Suffolk, the place I call my home.

open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

It's good not to forget

Tonight's book award dinner prompts me to reflect on my return to Suffolk

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Reposted by Robert Ashton

Rebecca White @rebka99.bsky.social · 21d

Still celebrating the marvellous Leiston Book Festival on Saturday and the insights into nature, our landscape and writers before now who have captured our imaginations. Thank you for asking me to host. I absolutely loved it. @robertashton.bsky.social #leiston

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 21d

I wonder what's the furthest someone's travelled to attend a #literaryfestival? We had a couple who'd come over from #California to attend ours yesterday! robertashton.substack.com/p/this-is-wh...

This is what any book festival speaker wants to see

A room packed with attentive readers

robertashton.substack.com

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 25d

I'm expecting to visit @shoemakersmuseum.bsky.social as I dig deeper into what made early Quaker firms so successful open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

Stepping off on the right foot

When writing a new book, I invariably start with a conversation with a friend

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 26d

Looking forward to this weekend and the #Leiston Book Festival which has now SOLD OUT! www.leistonbookfestival.co.uk

Home | Leiston Book Festival | 20 Sept

The first Leiston Book Festival took place on 7 September 2024 and was a great success. In 2025 we continue the theme established last year as six renowned writers explore ideas about our changing lan...

www.leistonbookfestival.co.uk

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · 28d

I have a soft spot for Tiptree jam. open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Sep 10

If you want a ticket for Leiston’s Book Festival, you need to be quick as we’ve nearly sold out

open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

I'm a little shocked by this success

We've sold 200 tickets to the Leiston Book Festival

open.substack.com

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Sep 8

Do you like exploring graveyards?
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Walking to buy petrol, I spotted an angel

Why would one grave have a farm more ornate headstone than those around it?

open.substack.com

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Sep 3

I've always taken my knees for granted - and then they got be banned from entering a church! open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

Why does God not like my knees?

I was barred from entering Zadar cathedral a few days ago,

open.substack.com

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 29

I think I came to @quaker.org.uk by a process of long term, gradual exposure! robertashton.substack.com/p/bankers-fa...

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 27

Wind can make me unpopular, but for a cow it can be fatal as two early 20th century Suffolk writers explained: open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

Don't get wind!

Two authors about rural life lost cattle to bloat

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 26

Reading the 1926 History of Barclays Bank, I learn that it's @quaker.org.uk roots run deep, as do it's connection to the black spread eagle open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

A very old spread eagle

Finally, I've started reading my 1926 History of Barclays Bank and it's fascinating

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 25

What do a concert pianist & a parlour maid have in common? open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 24

Why do we keep some things for decades, but throw other stuff away? robertashton.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...

Why do we keep some things, but ditch others?

I was Prompted reflect as I ate my boiled eggs this morning.

robertashton.substack.com

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 23

Generosity is good, to too generous and people won't learn how to do things for themselves, as John Middleton-Murray discovered in the 1940s
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Social engineering is far from easy

I've been reading about John-Middleton Murray's farming commune at Theltenham

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 22

Been reflecting this morning on wearing shorts and choosing when to die. open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

I've worn shorts all summer

My late uncle Dennis wore shorts too, in his case all year round

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 20

There are just 38 tickets left for this year's Leiston Book Festival, so if you're thinking of coming along on 20th September, please sign up quickly or risk disappointment:

www.leistonbookfestival.co.uk

Home | Leiston Book Festival | 20 Sept

The first Leiston Book Festival took place on 7 September 2024 and was a great success. In 2025 we continue the theme established last year as six renowned writers explore ideas about our changing lan...

www.leistonbookfestival.co.uk

Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 20

Living with a diabetic has done nothing to change my dislike of needles! open.substack.com/pub/robertas...

I don't like needles

But Belinda has been having several injections a day for 63 years

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Robert Ashton @robertashton.bsky.social · Aug 19

This book has been patiently waiting on my bookshelf for 40+ years @chuckdalldorf.bsky.social. A chance comment by my new publisher & the penny dropped. Now my next book can take shape.

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