Merlin Unwin Books

20/10/2025

This week, if you are in Norfolk in the Downham Market area, do pop in to hear author Charles Moseley speaking about his new book, To the Eel Island, 23rd October at 6:30pm at the bookshop. At Words & Wonder Books.

About the book:
Many people as they get older have to face leaving a village or town they have loved, a place redolent with memories and connections, to relocate somewhere more – as they say – ‘manageable.’ It is different for everyone, and not always easy, for our ghosts go with us.

But everything connects with everything else. There is no such thing as a new beginning. Such a move need not be a matter for repining and regret, but a new adventure.

This book records just that journey, of having to learn that new place to which Time is bringing you – and populate it with its own stock of private memories.

Charles Moseley writes about his move from a fenland village to the nearby historic little city of Ely and breathes life into the history, natural world and people who have made his new home what it is today.

On one level, a story about moving, in old age, from a village to a nearby town, in this case the city of Ely. But also a moving exploration of ‘belonging’ and of moving on, of the layers of past generations of the local people who have shaped the new place, and the changes over the years wrought by nature and the shifting Fenland landscape.

About the Author:
Charles Moseley grew up on the Lancashire coast, went up to Cambridge to read English, and never left. His varied career includes being a printer, a publisher and a peasant, but has mainly been teaching literature in Cambridge and attempting to persuade his victims to take this pursuit seriously. He has lived in a little Fenland village for a very long time. He also writes books.

Meet author Charles Moseley speaking about his life on the Fens, and book, To the Eel Island, about Ely and its history.

Free to attend, just register via link, in person or phone via , , 23 October at 6:30pm.

https://www.wordsandwonderbooks.com/general-1

18/10/2025

It was very early at Billingsgate Fish market this morning but when we arrived the vendors were all full of beans having been up since 4am and almost finishing for the day by 8am. Such an amazing array of fresh seafood, the quality and variety is second to none.

We were at for the launch of chef CJ Jackson’s new book with stunning photos by Steve Lee of overlooked British seafood.

The Great British Seafood Revival (£25) OUT NOW!

18/10/2025

Book launch day! Meet the author and photographer at .

The Great British Seafood Revival

It’s been a pleasure to work with Steve and CJ on this book, through words, recipes and photos they share a real passion for British seafood.

16/10/2025

🐟 It’s here! The Great British Seafood Revival is published TODAY! 🇬🇧

After months of research, writing and collaboration, CJ Jackson shares this celebration of Britain’s rich coastal heritage, incredible seafood, and the people driving a sustainable future for our seas.

The Great British Seafood Revival dives into the stories behind our shores – from traditional fishing communities and thriving fishing ports, to sharing over 60 innovative seafood recipes. This book highlight how we can all play a part in reviving the nation’s love for local, responsibly sourced seafood.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and passion along the way. We are delighted to have worked with CJ and Steve and can't wait for our customers to enjoy this book.

📘 Available now from Merlin Unwin Books online, or support your local bookshop.
www.merlinunwin.co.uk

15/10/2025

🌿 The Forest of Bowland - wild, timeless, and utterly captivating.

Locations like this inspired Helen Shaw's new book. A photographic celebration of nature’s beauty, its people, and the magic of the North English countryside.

➡️ Visit Merlin Unwin Books online or local bookshop!

15/10/2025

Enjoy our 2025/26 catalogue, it's on its way to our direct mail customers. You can download a digital copy of our catalogue showing all our books, via the link below or on our website:

https://merlinunwin.co.uk/pages/catalogue

If you are shopping for yourself, for a gift, or need advice on a countryside topic, we are very happy to help. Call our team today (01584 877456). Postage is £4 regardless of how many books are ordered and if your order is over £40 you get a £5 discount.

14/10/2025

It’s been fantastic to be part of Love British Food’s 2025 campaign celebrating the best of British produce! 🇬🇧

This year, we were delighted to see author and chef CJ Jackson featured in British Food Fortnight, with her inspiring book The Great British Seafood Revival included in the campaign. A brilliant celebration of the people, places and produce that make our food culture so special.

14/10/2025

🪶 The Grey Partridge — a symbol of our countryside heritage

Once a familiar sight across Britain’s farmland, the grey partridge has faced steep declines due to habitat loss and modern farming practices. Yet, with care and understanding, there’s still hope for its recovery.

Discover the story of this remarkable bird, its struggles, and the people working to protect it in Living with Greys — a book celebrating coexistence, conservation, and the beauty of rural life.

📖 Learn more and get your copy: https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/living-with-greys

This stunning large format photographic book is the first to showcase throughout the course of a year, that iconic game bird, the rare grey partridge. Renowned photographer Tarquin Millington-Drake spent over 500 hours in hides, capturing the unfolding of a grey partridge restoration project on loca...

14/10/2025

Meet Alex, he is a mushrooming expert and author of the popular book, Mushrooming without Fear.

His guiding principles are simple, in this book you learn only what species are edible and how to identify a few species with certainty.

With the help of his hardback book, complete with ID checklists, a mushroom species colour bar, and lots of tips and photos, you can harvest and eat your own.

Just £20 hardback, packed full of information to start your foraging adventures.

https://merlinunwin.co.uk/products/mushrooming-without-fear-1

13/10/2025

On Wednesday 8th October, Fish Focus were invited to Billingsgate Seafood School to an interactive cookery event with CJ Jackson, seafood chef and creative consultant at the seafood school, to promote the launch of her new book, ‘The Great British Seafood Revival’, due to be launched on the 16th October.

https://fishfocus.co.uk/cj-jackson-the-great-british-seafood-revival/

10/10/2025

Meet author Charles Moseley speaking about his life on the Fens, and book, To the Eel Island, about Ely and its history.

Free to attend, just register via link, in person or phone via , , 23 October at 6:30pm.

https://www.wordsandwonderbooks.com/general-1

08/10/2025

If you want to know about seafood cookery this is your lady!

CJ Jackson is the author of The Great British Seafood Revival (published 16 October), today she cooked 4 recipes from her book at within the iconic in London.

Thank you CJ and her team for the cookery demo, the seafood was exceptional. To food writer Mike Warner for his insight into the seafood industry and journey of our seafood and the people getting it to the consumer .

Thank for joining us