" But I kind of loved the power of that, the power of weirdness"

"The Secret Painter" is a memoir by Joe Tucker that delves into the concealed artistic life of his uncle, Eric Tucker. Eric, a laborer from Warrington, Cheshire, led a double life, secretly creating over 500 paintings and approximately 1,000 sketches depicting mid-20th-century working-class northern life. His works, often compared to those of LS Lowry, capture scenes of pubs, theaters, and street life with authenticity and depth.

Despite his sociable nature, Eric was reserved about his art, seldom sharing his creations publicly. His family discovered his extensive collection only after his death in 2018, leading to posthumous exhibitions that garnered significant public and media attention.

Joe Tucker's memoir offers a touching and thoughtful exploration of his uncle's life, reflecting on themes of class, ambition, loneliness, and community. The book provides insight into Eric's personal history, his dedication to art, and the broader disconnect between working-class culture and the art establishment.

"The Secret Painter" serves as a poignant tribute to Eric Tucker's unwavering artistic commitment, bringing his life's work into the public eye and celebrating the extraordinary found in unexpected places.

Peter Singer, born on July 6, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia, is a prominent moral philosopher renowned for his work in applied ethics and animal rights. Educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of Oxford, he has taught at institutions worldwide, including Princeton University, where he serves as the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics. Singer's seminal 1975 book, "Animal Liberation," is often credited with initiating the modern animal rights movement. He has authored over 50 books, addressing topics such as global poverty, bioethics, and effective altruism. In 2023, he published "Animal Liberation Now," updating his original work to reflect contemporary issues. Singer is also the founder of the non-profit organisation The Life You Can Save, which advocates for effective philanthropy to combat global poverty.

For more information about Peter Singer and his work, you can visit his official website:

petersinger.info

As its half term we wanted to provide some SFC (safe for car) content to all the families driving back from half term trips. This is an excerpt from Dan's young friendly book IMPOSSIBLE THINGS.

It's the perfect book for young curious minds who love to ask WEIRD and WONDERFUL questions.

Want to impress your friends and family with some BANANAS but TRUE facts? Then discover the world of impossible things with Dan Schreiber. This book will give you the answers to all of your big questions, no matter how silly! From discovering if monsters are real to seeking out haunted sausage rolls, exploring the world's strangest curses to finding the truth about time travel, this book has everything!

With hilarious illustrations and comic strips in every chapter, you won't want to put this book down!

Available from all good book shops, and online. Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/04XKIkuf