{"title":"Illustrated by Oliver Preston","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781910533765","title":"HEAVEN on EARTH","description":"Over a hundred years ago Somerville and Ross galloped across the pages of popular Irish literature writing of horses, hunts and high jinks. Today, Wexford based Patrick Donegall has taken over their reins to record the Ireland of his youth. An Ireland that has almost, but not quite, disappeared.   Written with cracking pace, he recounts tales of a pack of lively characters such as an ill-mannered royal photographer who was shown the door by a grand butler… There are frisky ponies with ‘attitude’ problems along with thoroughbred racehorses… A drunk priest being chased by the police and a former Royal Navy officer whose scoring at a horse event became somewhat blurred by a bottle or two of whiskey… A slippery eel features unexpectedly in a bath as does fishing in the days when there weren’t many that got away (even though most of the poachers did)… An eccentric gym shoe wearing daughter of a millionaire businessman shares pages with gentlemanly huntsmen of the old school accompanied by their equally elegant, but almost always high-spirited, ladies… And, as if there weren’t already enough amusing diversions, there’s even an Irish cricket match or two.  These are just some of Patrick’s stories. All will entertain and amuse and keep the reader turning the pages. But Patrick is no detached observer just writing of past people and events. Heaven on Earth is also a homage that is dedicated to his beloved Wexford. Towards the end of the book, he considers carefully how his part of the country has developed and changed, the issues it, and Ireland, face and his hopes for the future.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56309027996021,"sku":"9781910533765","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781910533765_4daa7aec-cc30-4381-a713-663a4c403cec.jpg?v=1786029409"},{"product_id":"9781846892929","title":"Unlimited Overs","description":"As Roger Morgan-Grenville prepares for a new season with the White Hunter Cricket Club, he is starting to feel his age, so he embarks on a secret plan of coaching, yoga and psychology to improve his game. Will he emerge as a sporting demi-god, or will his team-mates even notice the difference?This is the humorous and heartwarming story of that cricket season, as the White Hunters go from disaster to triumph. It is a tale of competitiveness, suspense, excellence, hospitality and incompetence, such as the missing fielder found asleep in the woods and the two opening bowlers whose MG Roadster breaks down on the way to the game. From the Castle Ground at Arundel to a field next to a nudist camp in France,players such as the Tree Hugger, the Gun Runner, and their wicket-keeper, theHuman Sieve, share the dream that this might be their day. Above all, it is theuplifting story of friendship among a team of not-very-good players who findenough moments of near brilliance to remind them why they love the game of cricket.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56313057706357,"sku":"9781846892929","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846892929_a8db7dd8-3a64-4e6c-af9a-b838404b5912.jpg?v=1786029300"},{"product_id":"9781846892080","title":"The Imperfect Shot","description":"\u003cp\u003e'Have I remembered everything?'\u003cbr\u003e'What shall I wear?'\u003cbr\u003e'Who am I likely to be shooting alongside?'\u003cbr\u003e'Will the dog behave?'\u003cbr\u003e'Will the birds be there?'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are all questions that might keep the Gun, the picker-up, the keeper and anyone else connected with a day's game shooting awake the night before a much anticipated day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Why did I say that?'\u003cbr\u003e'Why did I do that?'\u003cbr\u003e'Why did my dog do that?'\u003cbr\u003e'Why did I think about the weather?'\u003cbr\u003e'What was I thinking?'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are all questions one might ask oneself the evening after!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFortunately, you are not alone in your nightmares! If you've ever encountered a particular incident or experience on the shooting field, whether it be a formal day, or as a rough shoot with a couple of friends, it's a fairly safe bet that others will have it too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Imperfect Shot\u003c\/em\u003e illustrates in words and cartoons, light-hearted errors and ill-judgment of those who have experienced minor \u003cem\u003efaux pas\u003c\/em\u003e and misdemeanours on the shooting field — and also glorifies those who have got the better of a particular situation!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere are, among its pages, real pearls of wisdom; there is, though, much advice written somewhat 'tongue-in-cheek'. All immediately bring a mental picture to mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA mental picture is not, however, required. The illustrations, brought to life by renowned country and field sports artist, Oliver Preston — himself a shooting man of no ill-repute — has negated the need for the cry which otherwise might go out: 'Oh, if only I had a camera!' As if the situation was not clear enough, Oliver adds more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome tales might, of course be apocryphal — and I'll leave it for the reader to decide which they might be!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56313057837429,"sku":"9781846892080","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846892080_3573c315-c701-414a-8afb-4c1c6bc78eb9.jpg?v=1786029289"},{"product_id":"9781846894480","title":"How to be Asked Again","description":"\u003cp\u003eA step by step guide to modern shooting etiquette stuffed full of amusing quotes and anecdotes, which will instruct the Gun on how to be the perfect guest out shooting – and hence, how to be asked again. Inspired by the fact that so many more people are taking up shooting as adults and may have missed out on the vital apprenticeship in the field as a child, it encapsulates everything you need to know but no one will ever tell you out shooting as ‘you are just expected to know’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book covers in a logical way what happens, or should happen: from the moment you receive a shooting invitation, to arriving at the shoot, shooting safely and courteously, how to hold your own, how to mark your birds, what never to say and how to tip the keeper. Much of this information comes from almost a hundred interviews with beaters, keepers, flankers, pickers-up, shoot organisers, shoot owners, and grouse moor owning earls and dukes. Hilarious cartoons by Oliver Preston make this a very entertaining book on shooting, the perfect gift for any shooting man or woman, either novice shot or experienced Gun.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368226468213,"sku":"9781846894480","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846894480_f2cc0ace-312c-4872-95af-8a1e68002d62.jpg?v=1786029346"},{"product_id":"the-dictionary-of-posh","title":"The Dictionary of Posh","description":"Hidden within normal English is a separate language still spoken by those born with silver spoons in their mouths. It’s called Posh. A word of English can be spelt the same but mean something completely different in Posh. If you say the word ‘Mention’ in English, people will understand ‘Remark upon’; but in Posh this means a large house. Say ‘Ace’ and speakers of Posh will think you are referring to a cold thing one’s butler puts in a G\u0026amp;T.Hugh Kellett hilariously captures the spirit and nuances of those who speak Posh and, allied with Oliver Preston’s brilliantly accurate cartoons, this book is the key to understanding and interpreting this language – literally with tongue-in-cheek.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57502300537205,"sku":"9781846893971","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846893971.jpg?v=1786781124"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/illustrator-oliver-preston.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}