Click and type in a question or commentI too picked up one of your fathers books, Beyond Nabs End, from a charity shop and enjoyed every page. It brought back wonderful memories of Oxford and Port Meadow. My father and most of the men from our village and surrounding area worked at the car factory. Unlike your father, mine enjoyed his war years and looked back on them as an escape from poverty. For him they provided a chance to see the world and passed pleasantly enough on board the Ajax moving prisoners around the Mediterranean. He selectively forgot battles and gunfire in favor of memories of fun and friendship in far away places. I am looking forward to finding and reading more of your father's books.
I have never read a more moving biography than William Woodruff's Road to Nabs End and Beyond Nabs End, Just by chance i picked them up in a charity shop in Barnard Castle while i was on holiday.The best find in a long time. i am going to pass them on to my daughter to read she is 24 years old and it will give her a real insight into how the working class suffered through the capitalist system.
In these so called difficult economic times in the 21st century Williams Biography should be read as an inspiration for all
John Gilleece
Glasgow
A tribute to William Woodruff
When my younger son, Paul, found the details and photographs of William Woodruff and the pages of tributes to him for me on the computer I was delighted that at last I could write down my own appreciation of his work and of my correspondence with him.
My tribute also begins by my reading his book The Road to Nab End which I found by chance in Smith’s bookshop.
The book so impressed me that I had to buy and read his second book Beyond Nab End. By then I wanted the author to know how very much both these books had impressed me and how very enjoyable I had found them.
What a great writer!
I should say here that I was brought up in Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire, not far from Blackburn in Lancashire and had visited that area several times.
I was also born in the same year as William and during my childhood I too was poor though happy.
I knew that William Woodruff was at Florida University in Gainesville where my elder son Peter had spent a year lecturing in Geography and I asked him if he knew William. He told me William was a close friend of David Niddrie who was a professor in the geography department and that William Woodruff was the Graduate Research Professor in the history department. Because of this Peter was introduced to William and often met them both at the cultural evenings at the university.
Peter successfully traced William Woodruff’s address and telephone number and received permission for me to write to him which I did. William answered by return saying he appreciated my letter about his books. From then on we became what I like to call pen friends.
I had written several articles and also stories of parts of my own life which William kindly asked me to send to him. He was most encouraging and helpful, placing one of these in the Lancaster University Archives. He always replied promptly to my letters.
I was proud to be in touch in this way with so eminent a writer and world historian. I have his book A Concise History of the Modern World and also the two books of his own experiences during World War II Shadows of Glory and Vessel of Sadness. Both are very real and touching.
William also kindly asked me to read and comment on the script he had written of Valley in the Mist, a children’s book (I believe still not published). I felt most honoured yet inadequate to do this as you will understand. He wrote to thank me for my comments.
I still have most of his correspondence to me up to his death, which came as a great shock and a real sadness.
I have since written my own World War II experiences and am sad indeed not to have been able to send a copy for William to read. It is the story of my life during that time as a young wife and mother. My husband was in the RAF during the war years and we were living in the Cheshire town where I was brought up, during those years, and for a short time afterwards.
I lost two cousins in the war, one at sea and one in the air, and my husband lost one too. My husband’s cousin Stanley Stott was killed in Italy as a Sergeant in the 8th Army on 7 August 1944. I believe William was in the area at that time.
I often think of William’s books and feel his loss now that no letters come and I can no longer seek his advice.
I received a kind letter from his wife after his death saying how her husband had enjoyed this correspondence.
I offer the highest praise for his writings and my thanks for his extreme kindness to me. I hope you may be pleased to hear of this appreciation from one of his fans.
Betty Heather
Mrs Betty Lewis Heather
England
betty@paullewis.co.uk
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Two wonderful books.
Hugh Wain, Berkshire.
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Hello there, Woodruff Family,
I just want to say how much I've enjoyed reading William Woodruff's Nab End books.
My mother's parents were born to cotton weavers in Burnley, Lancashire in 1901. My grandparents were sent to work in the Queen Street Mill in Harle Syke part-time when eleven-years-old, full-time aged thirteen. That's where they met. They married in 1924, and headed for America. However, they got off a boat in Bermuda. My mother was born there shortly afterwards. My grandfather worked as a house-painter, my grandmother did sewing, and they saved up and returned to Lancashire, missing their families. My grandfather invested in a furniture business near Blackpool, but it went bust in the 1930's Depression. They ended up returning to Bermuda with two of their three children, and my grandfather worked for the NAAFI.
My grandparents lived modestly in Bermuda after the War, grandfather dying in 1978. My grandmother lived a remarkable 104 years, dying in 2005, outliving my mother.
One of my grandparents' sons, who had been left in Lancashire and educated at Nelson Grammar School went on to be the Executive Vice-President for General Insurance, and a Director, at American International Group. He retired from AIG about 20 years ago.
My mother's children have returned to England.
Two of my grandparents' grandchildren won Rhodes Scholarships to Oxford University.
As a boy I visited the Queen Street Mill where my grandfather's sister was still working. She wore clogs. She retired in late 1961 and moved to Morecambe, and died of a stroke a few months later.
My hobby is family history and reading Nab End brought extra life to my own family.
May I also say that William wrote beautifully. He makes history come alive, gives it body and soul. I shall be reading more.
Good on you all!
Ross Eldridge
Northumberland
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I to have just finished reading the Road to Nab End and thoroughly enjoyed the beautifully inspirational book. I like so many others was saddened to hear that William Woodruff died in 2008, I would loved to have passed on my thanks to him for sharing his thoughts from his childhood. I feel that perhaps this book should be read by children these days as most want for nothing and could never imagine being so poor. What inspired me was the happiness and fun they shared. I've never experienced being that poor, how incredibly difficult it must have been. We can't imagine today what it must have been like for those families who just didn't have enough money (or even any at times)to feed themselves! Looking forward to reading the sequel. Karen Haslemere
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My Dad was also born in Lancashire in 1916, his father worked in the cotton mills from a very young age. Dad is a very healthy 93 year old and discovered The Road To Nab End and Beyond Nab End last year. He was enthralled , The Road To Nab End totally mirrors his recollections of life in pre war Lancashire. I am presently enjoying reading both books and talking to Dad about his experiences. William Woodruff's writing paints such a vivid picture and makes us all realise how lucky we are to live in today's society. Peta Corner. Charlotte USA
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It is August 2009 and I have just 'discovered' William Woodruff. My greatest regret is that my father, who was born in 1904 not very far from Blackburn, never read his book The Road to Nab End. Oh how he would have enjoyed it -- like coming home again!
My children must read this book - to show them how far we have come and how fortunate we are. God bless William Woodruff and the stories he has left us. Mark Emmerson of Bermuda.
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I finished Mr Woodruff's sequel, and now I've ordered his "A Concise history of the modern World" from 1500 to present. This guy was amazing. What really struck me about his life, was that he received support from family and friends even when they did not understand what he was doing. In contrast, i received totally no support in my life, so I can see the value of it. (quote from Annette Hall's mom.) My mom also said that she really felt like the stories were very real to her because she visited many of the places Mr. Woodruff talked about.
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I HAVE JUST FINISHED NAB END AND RUSHED TO MY PC TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRATIONAL AUTHOR.I WANTED TO WRITE TO HIM AND TELL HIM HOW HE HAD GOT ME THROUGH A VERY LOW PERIOD IN MY LIFE,ONLY TO FIND HE HAD PASSED AWAY. MY MOTHER BROUGHT UP 9 OF US IN A ROOM AND KITCHEN IN THE EAST END OF GLASGOW AFTER MY FATHER DIED OF CANCER IN THE 1950'S, SO I AM NO STRANGER TO POVERTY, BUT WE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THE DIRE HARDSHIP WILLIAM LIVED AND TRIUMPHED THROUGH. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM BECAUSE HE IS A CHAMPION OF THE WORKING CLASSES. EVERY SCHOOL IN BRITAIN SHOULD ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO READ THIS BOOK AS A MATTER OF COURSE AS CHILDREN THESE DAYS ARE GIVEN TOO MUCH, TOO EASILY AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLE THAT WENT BEFORE AND ARE ILL EQUIPPED IF GOD FORBID, IT HAPPENED AGAIN.LIKE WILLIAM, I AM GLAD I WAS NOT BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN MY MOUTH. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY, PAST AND PRESENT.
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I have just finished reading The Road to Nab End and Beyond Nab End and thoroughly enjoyed them.I then went on the internet and found that this extraordinary gentleman had passed away.This saddened me, although i did not know him i wish that i had.His idealogy, temprement,and ability to enjoy life in general even through great adversity described in both these books made him what he was and made the world he touched a far better place to live in.Thank you for that and Rest in peace william woodruff.
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I communicated with william by email about 5 years ago and informed him that my grandfather once worked at the ironfoundary, Lucy, which was at the bottom of his garden in Oxford. i was thrilled that he took time out to send me a very gracious reply. i have since found some photographs of my grandfather at the foundary and i thought i might send a copy to william when i discovered on his website that he had passed away. i was very moved by all his books and especially about his experiences in italy where my father served. like william my dad returned home after the war to a son whose birth he missed. bob brechin ( now living in derbyshire )
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I hsve just read Nab End and Beyond Nab End.What wonderfully descriptive writing, from a man who as you read you felt you knew him and the people he wrote about.As I read the books I would look around at my family and comfortable home and weep for those people.Who accepted what ever life threw at them and just did the best they could.What a wonderful man.His family must be very proud.Sheila Essex.
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There are similarities in our backgrounds and when The Road to Nab End was first published I emailed him with a question. The reply from the great writer was immediate and inspiring. Allan Cheetham London, England
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I have just finished reading The road to Nab End it really touched me.When I read the things that happened to his family I was so sad. My granny and grandad suffered simarly when they were bringing up their children in the 1920s.My granny had thirteen children but only reared six.They lived in back to back houses with one room up and one down. William must have been a wonderful man,I wish I could have come across his book sooner while he was still alive.
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Have just read The Road to Nab End and Beyond Nab End - what an extraordinary man - his books are an exceptional insight into life in Lancashire in the teens 20s and 30s - I found his account of Brenda's lack of schooling heartrending - how many Brendas are there - - I think William may have something to teach us today as we head into a world recession. Can't wait to read his war memoir. Delighted to see that we on this side of the Irish Sea can claim a bit of William with his Irish granny and her love of 'larnin' !. John Heuston - Dublin
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Reading the Nab End books left tears in my eyes, I wish I could have met William, what an incredible life, and what a wonderfull man....Ray Ingram
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As a Lancashire lad born and bred and living in Blackburn, I daily pass the places that William grew up around, Griffin Street and the Griffin pub is only two miles away from my Livesey Branch Road home. It's not hard to imagine William and his hand cart delivering his grocery's around town, he tells his story so well, the Fielden house lies ruined now just a few hundred yards away from my home, it's not hard also to see the young William making his way to the big house hopefull for enmployment. My family were also weavers at Hoghton Bottoms, and the noise and the smell of flax never leaves you. I intend to take some photographs of areas mentioned in the books and place them on Google Earth, William was indeed a survivour, but also a brilliant writer. I have read many books but none has had the evocotive impact that 'The Road To Nab End' has had on me. Andrew Livesey, Blackburn, Lancashire, Nov 2008.
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I have read Williams book “The Road to Nab End and Beyond”. A truly wonderful and inspiring story. Through his own words William Woodruff and his works will remain a testament to the people and times he lived through. His descriptions of his life experiences, family, friends and lovers were truly moving. To me William sets an example to all humanity. I extend my sincere condolences to his family on their loss not only to them but the loss he is to the whole world. David Bolt, Suffolk, UK.
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I found the Nab End books in our library quite by chance. (I was looking under "W" for another author). I do not often read books twice, but these I have and on my next visit to the UK will buy them. Penny, Hermanus South Africa
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I just finished reading the Road to Nab End and was so moved by it that I looked up the author and discovered his recent death. I would like to send a tribute to his family. I went to school in Blackburn in the 1950's and 1960's I left there back on the 1970's I come from generations of cotton workers. I was told by my family of the terrible hardships that they endured when cotton was no longer king. The book brought it all to life in the streets I am so familiar with and made me understand my family as I never did when they were alive. I must read the other books although I know it won't be easy. William whilst telling the story of his life has given voice to the wider story of the ill used Lancashire workers including my family.I thank him for that. With love Maggi
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Williams life story almost mirrors my father's in Manchester. The whole family were desperately poor yet extremely intelligent. Like William my father was offered to go to Oxford after the war, but he had two little children and a wife to support and therefore could not go. What a shame. May William's books go from strength to strength, what an amazing man. My father would have loved him.
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A fine man just passed away. He proved repeatedly that the Human Spirit is stronger than any circumstances of poverty. We are all the poorer today. Please convey my Condolences to the greater Woodruff family. YET,in Memoriam for William. The tears flow, yet I am not weeping, My heart aches, yet I feel no pain, I am lonely, yet I do not feel alone, There is no wind, yet the change still blows, The dawn is grey, yet still the sun is shining, William left us, yet still he is here. I wonder, yet I am still assured. There is a Heaven, yet I know no where. William may be there, yet I know this is certain. Time stood still, and yet waits for no man. Requiescat in Pace. Inspired by the death of my wife Jill a Lancashire Lass Sincerely, Paul P Burns Preston Lancashire
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I am very sad to hear that William Woodruff has passed away. On reading his book Road to Nab End you felt as though you really knew him and that he was definitely a determined person who never gave up easily. The world has lost a great writer who told it as it was in Blackburn Lancashire in the early 1900's. The world has lost a great writer and a lovely man who was very clever. Josie Boyd, Church Lancashire.
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I have read and re-read William's Road to Nab End and Beyond Nab End over and over again and took something new from them every single time. He must have been a lovely man to know and I would like his family to know that he must have been an inspiration to many people all over the world. Barbara Hardaker, Bolton-le-Sands.
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I am deeply saddened by Williams death, His book the road to nab end is an outstanding record of 1920s and 1930s Blackburn, I have been conducting guided tours of Blackburn for the past eight years, These tours are called Nab End tours . We visit areas associated with the book, I never had the pleasure of meeting William but always felt his presence on the tour. I am sure this book will entertain many new readers for generations to come, It is a masterpiece and deserves to be an international best seller. Simon Entwistle Clitheroe Lancashire
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Good-bye William