Author Archives: rosblack

Unknown's avatar

About rosblack

I am a freelance writer & author of 4 social history books, featuring female social reformers of the late 19th and early 20th century. In a previous life I managed a housing charity. I also give talks.

Scandal Salvation & Suffrage – the Amazing Women of the Temperance Movement

Posted on September 24, 2014 by rosblack
Posted in A Talent for Humanity, alcohol abuse, Duxhurst, Feminism, Lady Henry Somerset | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Temperance Tales

Posted on August 18, 2013 by rosblack

I am working hard on a new book which will feature the stories of several Victorian women who, in different ways, tacked the issue of alcohol abuse. Lady Henry Somerset has led me to discover other unsung heroines and to … Continue reading →

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lady Henry Somerset-inspired short historical romance in My Weekly magazine

Posted on June 22, 2012 by rosblack

Researching and writing the amazing life and work of Lady Henry Somerset has inspired me to do many things – not least of which was writing a short story entitled “Love Amongst the Lavender”, which has been published this week … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, alcohol abuse, Duxhurst, Duxhurst - Surrey's Lost Village, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, rehabilitation, Reigate Local History, Short fiction, short stories, Surrey Local History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Creativity is a state of mind

Posted on June 20, 2012 by rosblack

Creating something of beauty, or something better than you imagined yourself capable of creating, is extremely uplifting. I speak from personal experience here, having recently started art classes with The Seasons Art Class. I dropped art at school when just … Continue reading →

Posted in Duxhurst, Duxhurst - Surrey's Lost Village, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Recreational pursuits, Surrey Local History | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Tenerife Sunset – a poem

Posted on June 17, 2012 by rosblack

TENERIFE SUNSET  Warm hues of pink, Deepening, intense, Spreading a roseate glow Above the sea.   Dramatic now, Burnished copper fronds Radiating like an angel’s wings, A promise of peace.   Wisps of orangey gold, Shimmering against a purple backdrop. … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and About, poems | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Canvas of My Youth – a reflective poem

Posted on June 15, 2012 by rosblack

THE CANVAS OF MY YOUTH                                                                                        Curls of coal smoke hanging in the air, Friday’s fish odour;  tinned fruit with carnation cream. Psychedelic purple, swirling through emerald green, Carnaby Street meets Made in Yorkshire mini dress. “I ain’t heavy …” blasting … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and About, poems, Recreational pursuits | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

I don’t believe in ghosts – a poem inspired by the work of Frank Dickinson, an arts and crafts pioneer who built his own home, Little Holland House in Carlshalton, Surrey

Posted on May 10, 2012 by rosblack

I don’t believe in ghosts, But there’s a spirit within this place. A sense of purpose, of achievement. Every beam, every tile A testimony to toil and sweat; To a genius with vision And the will to craft new designs, … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and About, poems, Surrey Local History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Piece of History – a short story inspired by a visit to Whitehall in Cheam

Posted on May 7, 2012 by rosblack

I jumped back, clutching at my mother’s apron. A thousand shards of pottery lay at our feet; mother’s favourite jug shattered on the parched ground, its contents spreading like an angry stain on the earth. She’d told me the tale … Continue reading →

Posted in short stories | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Talent4humanity becomes rosblackcreative

Posted on May 3, 2012 by rosblack

Please don’t rush away if you typed in http://www.talent4humanity.com and this site came up. It is one and the same but I have retitled my blog to avoid confusion with another website. All the Lady Henry Somerset and Duxhurst village … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, Duxhurst, Duxhurst - Surrey's Lost Village, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

International Women’s Day – I’d nominate Lady Henry Somerset as a forgotten heroine of social reform

Posted on March 8, 2012 by rosblack

As we celebrate the achievements of women around the world, on International Women’s Day, we should not forget the pioneers of women’s rights in Victorian times. We all remember the suffragettes but there were thousands more women who actively campaigned … Continue reading →

Posted in A Talent for Humanity, Feminism, Lady Henry, Lady Henry Somerset, Temperance, Victorian Do-Gooders, World Woman's Christian Temperance Union | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment