Two of north Norfolk's busiest figures on the local books scene have resumed a partnership that first blossomed briefly in the early 1990s.
Writer Keith Skipper and publisher Peter Stibbons, both Cromer residents, join forces again to crack open Norfolk in a Nutshell, a whimsical look at the county's special qualities and good reasons for protecting them.
It is Mr Skipper's 38th volume off his production line since 1984 – and his first with Poppyland Publishing since two collections of local notables in The Norfolk Connection and More Norfolk Connections more than 20 years ago.
The author said: 'I was so pleased Peter could find room in his hectic schedule for this timely tilt at those who would exploit our county for all the wrong reasons rather than appreciate it more for the right ones.'
He places strong emphasis on those features making Norfolk delightfully different, including dialect, humour, eccentricity, community spirit and the ancient local art of bike-holding.
The book has a ' Forewarned' by rural sage Granny Biffin from Bronickle End.
She praises his 'totally unfashionable attempt to be brutally honest and straightforward about a blessed plot subjected to wild rumours and extreme verdicts.'
Readers can try The Norfolk Character Test and ponder questions it might be inadvisable to ask the hardened natives. Learn how Norfolk got its name. Is Norfolk ready for independence? Have you sought treatment for Suffin' Gorn Abowt? Have Rooks and Reprobates taken over from Swallows and Amazons?
Illustrations include some vintage Cromer shots, a peep at life in Burnham Market before the rise of Chelsea-on-Sea and an outdoor nature study class with mardling masters Dick Bagnall-Oakeley and Ted Ellis.
Norfolk in a Nutshell, from Poppyland Publishing is in shops now at £9.95.
Keith Skipper has two local signing sessions, at the Jarrold's store in Cromer on Saturday December 6 from 11am to 1pm; and at The Showcase Gallery, North Walsham Market Place, on Saturday December 13, 11am to 1pm.
The book is also available direct from www.poppyland.co.uk. Its ISBN number is 978-1-909796-12-6.
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