Sale of memoirs to give something back to those who helped author

LOCAL author Sue Devereux always wanted to give something back to Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust after the excellent care she received there throughout her life.

Following her previous experiences authoring academic and self-help literature, she realised that her light-hearted memoir, ‘Looking on the Bright Side: A Vet’s Tale’ was the way to generate funds for Salisbury Hospital through the Stars Appeal.

“It all began in October 2009 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” explains Sue. “Writing about my experiences was a way of coping and finding strength. The first half of the book is about my experience of becoming a vet and my passion for the job, with some sad, touching and funny stories along the way.

“The second half is about what it was like being diagnosed with cancer while working as a vet and being a single mum of two teenage children.”

Sue believes that she couldn’t have written this or her previous books without help and encouragement from friends and family.

“When I wrote a previous book about horse care for horse owners, my friend Liz Morrison made sure the book was accessible for horse owners.

“And when I showed the first draft of ‘Looking on the Bright Side’ to my son he wrote a note saying, ‘It’s really good, mum. Go for it!’ and I didn’t ask anyone else for feedback because his words gave me enough encouragement to know I could be successful.”

Sue’s memoir touched more hearts than she expected. “In the book, I mentioned that I loved yellow roses.

“One day I noticed a lady in my garden walking with a big bouquet of yellow roses and when I came out to speak to her she gave me the flowers and told me that my book really helped her get through her breast cancer treatment. I was really surprised and touched.”

I started veterinary training in 1978 at Bristol Vet School and it was my love of animals and desire to help them when they are ill or in pain that motivated me.

“Working in healthcare, whether for animals or people, is challenging, and I hope that my book will help them to see the challenges of people who work in caring professions.

“All the profits from ‘Looking on the Bright Side’ go to Stars Appeal, to make a real difference to patients in Salisbury Hospital.”

Looking on the Bright Side: A Vet’s Tale is available on Amazon or signed copies from: equineacupuncture.co.uk/book.html

Cinderella star wins prestigious pantomime award

JASMINE Triadi has won the Barbara Windsor Award for Best Principal Lead at the UK Pantomime Awards 2023 for her performance in the titular role in Cinderella at Salisbury Playhouse.

James Button was also nominated for his costume design in this production.

Jasmine took her place among a number of theatre luminaries, with Su Pollard and Ian McKellen also picking up awards at the ceremony which took place on 11 April at Trafalgar Theatre, London.

Artistic director of Wilshire Creative, Gareth Machin said: “We are thrilled that Jasmine’s wonderful performance has been recognised at the UK Pantomime Awards. As a producing theatre, it is hugely acknowledgement as we begin preparations for this year’s panto.

“Dick Whittington is one of the great panto stories and, penned by the same writers as Cinderella, promises to be a spectacular, fresh and sparkly production full of music, dance and laughter.”

Wiltshire Creative’s pantomimes are produced in-house, with sets designed and made by the workshop department on-site.

Tickets for Dick Whittington are already on sale. It runs from 25 November to 7 January, 2024.

Box office: 01722 320 333 / ticketsales@wiltshirecreative. co.uk