Jessica Streeting is the author of Sea-Change, a true story set in North Norfolk described as ‘beautifully sad’ by Stephen Fry. Ahead of a special author evening organised by three friends, Jessica shares her story
I am a community nurse consultant, married to a philosophy teacher. Between us we have with five adult children and two grandchildren. I work in Central London, but spend as much time as possible in Cromer, our family home for 25 years. I was born in Stratford Upon Avon, though my mother had Norfolk relatives and my father had always loved sailing on the Broads as a boy.
We moved to Norfolk in 1975 and my little sister and I had the most idyllic childhood, living in the heart of our village, Cawston, where Dad [the Reverend Paul Farnham] was rector at the church of St Agnes. We never considered leaving Norfolk after Dad died and Mum particularly loved the North Norfolk coast, so we moved up to Sheringham and later Aylmerton. I adore Cromer and surrounding countryside and find living by the sea deeply inspirational. I am dedicated to my early morning Cromer sea swim and love cycling around the villages.
I wrote my first story when I was six at primary school; it was called The Pink Pencil Case, and I was terribly proud because the head-teacher made it into a little bound book. When I think back, this kind endorsement from a teacher was such a lovely surprise and sowed the seed in me that free writing was something I might be able to do.
I’ve always written articles for the nursing press and in 2016, I wrote ‘Last Summer in Soho’, as a light-hearted way to illustrate the brilliant diversity of life as a school nurse in Central London. This was self-published through Amazon and proceeds went to school nursing, my work passion.
Sea-Change was incubating for a very long time. I had always written a diary and so had my contemporaneous child’s view account of life in our 1970s Norfolk village to draw upon. In Sea-Change I am setting down feelings long-frozen, now thawing. It is a soul’s outpouring, and I chose to write in epic poem form to fit the great and the little of ordinary life, made extraordinary by accident.
I began to write it shortly after Mum died a few years ago. I needed to acknowledge what we never could when mum was alive – the sheer horror of Dad’s death and the depth of our traumatic experience.
Writing Sea-Change, and subsequently talking about the writing process, has also helped me to understand why I became a school nurse; not to offer swift solutions, but to be alongside children and young people in the complex challenges they face.
It is incredibly hard to describe a parent, particularly one you have not met for 43 years. I love Stephen Fry’s typically eloquent and generous description of Dad as ‘fascinating, engaging, eccentric, brilliant, beguiling’. Yes, he was all these things, but one of the main reasons I wanted to write Sea-Change was to inhabit my child’s view of my father through my adult lens. To honour him, but also to acknowledge my frustrations with a father who had time for everyone, but not always much time for his children. We were just beginning to be interesting to him, discovering music and literature, and, as for many children who lose a parent, there are so many conversations I would love to have had with him. Sea-Change was a chance to revisit all this.
Stephen’s comments mean the world to me. He was my father’s friend, but he also coached me for my entrance exam to Norwich High School. He recalls teaching me maths, but while I stayed resolutely rubbish at maths, his wonderful English lessons are what I remember. When I wrote Sea-Change, I sent it to Stephen and his response gave me the courage to approach Henry Layte at Propolis Books, for possible publication.
I was thrilled and deeply touched when Sarah [Pettigree] first got in touch and then introduced me to Jane [Steward] and Mary [Beek]. I’m overwhelmed that they are going to so much effort to make such an evening happen. It feels as though we have always been friends. Their energy, talent and loveliness are amazing. Sea-Change continues to surprise and delight me by the reception it receives; so many people – friends and strangers alike – have been in touch and say it resonates for them.
I think some of the feelings set down in Sea-Change are universal experiences, part of the puzzle and essence of being human. And I am very fond of my bossy, robin character and many people have said they love him.
The evening promises to be a warm, fun and glittery event in the characterful Hindolveston village hall. The bar will be open, with light refreshments and the wondrous Brays Cottage Pork Pies. Copies of Sea-Change will be available for sale and signing and Sarah and I will talk about the book, as well as time for questions and conversation.
I continue to write poetry and prose, themes including exploring the art and the science of nursing, the impact of childhood trauma and the importance of music, humour, friendship, love… I am writing a novel for children/young adults. I’m finding fiction writing extremely freeing and fun and am full of inspiration following a wonderful Arvon Children’s Literature course run by writing heroes Sita Brahmachari and Nikita Gill.
Jane Steward explains why she, Sarah and Mary wanted to organise the special evening: ‘Earlier this year Sarah and Mary, who live in Hindolveston a few winding miles from Cawston, along with me of nearby Eastgate, Cawston, fell under the spell of “Sea-Change”, a slim but extraordinary and beautiful book. Sarah lent it to me, and we found ourselves lending it and buying it for others, bringing it to book groups and enticing people to read it as something unusual and very special. It didn’t take long for Sarah to decide to invite Jessica for a cup of tea. The best things always start with a cup of tea – and firm friendships, accompanied by lots of WhatsApp chats, blossomed. One thing leads to another and wanting to give as many people as possible a chance to discover the book, Mary, Sarah and I asked Jessica if she’d come to Hindolveston, read from her book and talk about it.’
An Evening with Jessica Streeting, author of Sea-Change, takes place at Hindolveston Village Hall (NR20 5DD) on Saturday October 28. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Jessica will read from Sea-Change and talk about it with Sarah Pettegree. There will be opportunity for questions and a book signing; as well as a bar and light refreshments supplied by Bray’s Cottage Pork Pies (vegetarian option available). Tickets are £5 and bookable in advance from: sarahpettegree@me.com and marybeek01@btinternet.com. Copies of Sea-Change, published by Propolis Books, are available from all good bookshops – and will be on sale on the evening, too.
Featured image of Jessica Streeting – photographed in Cawston Church, supplied by Henry Layte of Propolis.
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