Distinguished author and comedy writer David Nobbs will make a personal appearance in Herefordshire to read his latest work “Piercing Arrows” – a short story specially commissioned by the Ledbury Readers’ Group.
It will be the first reading in the country under a new scheme launched by the West Midlands Readers’ Network.
As part of that initiative, part-funded by Arts Council England, some of the nation’s most acclaimed authors have agreed to write and read stories for readers’ groups.
Mr Nobbs, best known for creating TV character Reginald Perrin and writer of hit TV series “Love on a Branchline,” has written a humorous story of a love affair especially for the Ledbury group after members approached him through Herefordshire Council’s Library Services.
Mr Nobbs will read “Piercing Arrows” at Ledbury Catholic Church’s Trinity Room, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30, at 5pm, and talk generally about his life as a writer. Tickets, priced £3, are available on (01531) 632133.
Brenda Read-Brown, Herefordshire Council’s Reader and Literature Development Officer, said: “We’re delighted that such a popular and established author will be coming to rural Ledbury for the first public reading and discussion of “Piercing Arrows”.
“The Ledbury Readers’ Group wanted a change from the usual books and jumped at the chance to tell David Nobbs just what they wanted in a good story.
“We got in contact with David Nobbs through the West Midlands Readers’ Network, which is working with other local readers’ groups to commission new writing over the next two years as part of the scheme, and Mr Nobbs agreed to write a short story to order.
“The group asked for the story to be humorous, with an eccentric character and with a strong, conclusive ending.
“The story that David Nobbs has written, “Piercing Arrows,” is a brilliantly comic portrait of a love affair set within the heady worlds of professional darts and philosophy.
“With plenty of under-currents and some devilish wit, it is sure to keep readers’ groups laughing and arguing for many years to come.”