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Welcome to the Good Granny website, the online forum for grandparents, especially the young-at-heart grannies of today.
Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, author of the 'Good Granny’ books, writes:
"Summer time, and the living is easy…" as the song goes. It’s good to get out of doors as much as possible, and if you’re on granny duty at half term or in the holidays, make sure the living is easy by stocking up your fridge and store cupboard with easy things to throw together for an impromptu picnic. Tinies are thrilled to picnic in the garden. If your grandchildren are a bit older, take your picnic to the nearest park or hop on a bus and go further afield. Visit a local beauty spot or stately home. Remember to take a ball to kick about and a few freezer bags to bring home nature finds: pebbles, snail shells, feathers, leaves to identify.
For ideas for picnic food, click here
For me, summer is the time for literary festivals and other book events. I love chatting about my books and meeting readers, specially if they are fellow-grandparents. If I am giving a talk near where you live, do come along and say ‘hello’. I would love to meet you. Here are the events, in date order:
Thursday 27 May 2.30 pm Salisbury International Arts Festival, Wiltshire. Book tickets at www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Wednesday 9 June from 6.15pm Supper and talk with Hugh and Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall. River Cottage Canteen at Komedia, Bath. Book tickets at www.toppingbooks.co.uk/bath-events
Saturday 12 June 3pm: In the Company of Cooks: Digging for Victory with Sophie Grigson and Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall. Cooking demo and chat at the Imperial War Museum, London. Book tickets at www.iwm.org.uk
Wednesday 30 June 2.30pm Beaminster Festival, Dorset.
Saturday 10 July St Mary’s Parish Church Fete, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos.
Monday 12 July Ways with Words, Dartington, Devon. 12noon: For Better For Worse,
2pm: The Ministry of Food. Book tickets at www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Friday 17 September 7pm Stone Festival, Staffordshire. Book tickets at
www.stonebookfestival.co.uk
At these events I will be talking about my two newest books. The Ministry of Food is an account of food during and after World War 2, when rationing ensured the nation got a healthy diet. It celebrates the Dig for Victory campaign, and the way women fought on The Kitchen Front to feed their families. I have updated thrifty wartime recipes for the book, to appeal to modern families. For some of you it may be a trip down memory lane, but delicious, healthy and economical dishes are just what we need in today’s recession. The Ministry of Food, published by Hodder & Stoughton, was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum in London, to go with a major exhibition at the Museum which runs until the end of 2010. Definitely a great outing for the grandchildren. I’m taking mine at half term.
My other new book is For Better for Worse – a light-hearted guide to wedded bliss To get a flavour of it read these recent articles in The Telegraph and The Mail.
HELPING OTHERS
At Goodgranny.com we are still supporting the Grandmother's United Campaign, part of the charity African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP). It helps Grannies in South Africa (known there as Gogos) who are caring for their grandchildren in conditions of extreme poverty. Help the Aged also has a scheme where aid goes directly to grandparents in disadvantaged communities around the world. To find out more, go to www.sponsoragrandparent.org.uk.
We are also supporting the charity PiggyBankKids, of which Sarah Brown, the wife of the PM is president.
The Good Granny Guide is becoming something of a classic.What the media said about it...
Tips on how to spoil the grandkids without ruining your relationship with their Mum and Dad.Woman's Own
Even perfect grandmas could pick up a trick or two from this witty compilation of first-hand advice. Mail on Sunday
Sound on everything from nappies to tantrums... gets the golden rules right. The Times
Hot pre-Christmas seller. The Observer
Practical, clear, helpful. The Spectator
This no-nonsense book is full of invaluable wisdom born of experience. The Scotsman
‘I’m thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the book’, Jane says. ‘It seems to be meeting a real need and its success has encouraged me to set up www.GoodGranny.com.’ To order a signed copy of the book click here.
- The website takes the themes of the book further, offering a continuing source of wisdom, good sense and humour, with expert advice from grandparents - including yourselves, so please let’s hear from you.
- We offer helpful hints about the practical side of grandparenting, from keeping the children amused indoors and outdoors, to helping them with homework. And we’re not afraid to tackle the big issues of sleep, food, manners and discipline.
- Above all we celebrate the great joy of being a grandparent.
Plus, News stories of special interest to grandparents, and features, including monthly Recipes to make with your grandchildren... Granny's Top Tips – email us your suggestions... Ask Granny Jane – down to earth advice on family relationships and practical grandparenting questions... Gardening with Granny – seasonal garden projects to enjoy with your grandchildren.
Our Shop offers the chance to buy signed copies of Granny Jane's books, as well as links to some of her favourite shopping sites.
About Jane
Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, known as Granny Jane to her five grandchildren, lives with her husband in Gloucestershire. You may have seen her talking about her book and other ‘granny’ matters on BBC TV’s Breakfast Programme, or ITV’s This Morning, or heard her being interviewed on the radio. To read Jane's Times column, the A-Z of Family Life click on the links page.
When Jane is not being a Granny she is a Garden Designer, with two Chelsea Flower Show gold medals and seven gardening books to her credit.
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