Reviews of the book
Juliet Baxter, a former Chairman of PPA (England and Wales)
I found reading Memories of the Playgroup Movement in Wales an absolute joy. Much has been written about playgroups over many years and more will undoubtedly follow as the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Movement approaches in 2011. Most of the writings have been by academic people and a lot of clever appraisal and assessment has been done. But for those who are not in that sphere, what we like is reading of the experiences of those of us who were in the main 'just mums' and volunteers. This is exactly what is produced in this book- a personal account of so many people who walked the walk as we did. The recounting of what the Playgroup Movement did for us as individuals, our children and the wider families who benefited is just what was needed. It was exactly what happened and the joy is that those memories and experiences still continue to play a large part in our lives as we have become grandparents and have learned to live on pensions. It is so right to produce this book as it is the only one I know that has been written by ordinary people who shared and relished an extraordinary experience over many years of their lives.
From 'Small Talk' the magazine of Wales PPA
You can't put a price on memories like these... so this wonderfully inspiring book, containing the memories of some of the founder members of WPPA, is now freely available for download from this site.
From Brenda Crowe, first PPA National Advisor
I loved the book, it is quite delightful. I feel it encapsulates the happiness of playgroup people and their feelings of self-worth. It demonstrates the courage and resilience of playgroup people in the early days and their ability to rise to the occasion undeterred by floods, snowstorms and lost directions. In those days everybody's gifts were used, this book contains the 'heart of motherhood'.
I remember many of the contributors and the friends I made in those days. I liked the quality of the book, the paper, print, line-spacing and especially the photographs. I hope it sells like hot cakes.