Written in conjunction with The Lost Gardens of Heligan 'A Song For Will' is a book aimed an introducing children to the wonders of the Heligan estate in Cornwall at the outbreak of war and life in a bygone age.At the end of the 19th century Heligan's thousand acres were at their zenith, but only a few years later bramble and ivy were drawing a green veil over the once opulent gardens and estate. The outbreak of WW1 was the start of Heligan's demise as its workforce went off to fight in the trenches; many sadly never to return. After decades of neglect, the devastating hurricane of 1990 should have consigned the then lost gardens to history. Instead, the discovery of a tiny room, buried under fallen masonry in the corner of one of the walled gardens, was to unlock the secret of their demise. A motto etched into the limestone walls in barely legible pencil still reads "Don't come here to sleep or slumber", with the names of those who worked there signed under the date - August 1914.In 2013, the Imperial War Museum recognised Heligan's Thunderbox Room as a 'Living Memorial' to 'The Gardeners of Heligan'. A plaque, a Cornish shovel and a WW1 helmet now mark the spot and details can be found on www.iwm.org.uk.
Hilary Robinson is an award winning radio producer, broadcaster and the author of over 50 picture books including the bestselling Mixed Up Fairy Tales (Hodder). She produced Private Peaceful for BBC Radio 2 narrated by Robson Green. She lives and works in London and Yorkshire. Martin Impey studied graphic design with distinction and alongside illustration has worked in design, film, advertising and marketing. Passionate about military history he illustrated War Horse for OUP.
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