In 2005, Di Slaney abandoned her urban existence to become the custodian of an ancient farmhouse in Nottinghamshire, populating it with – at the last count – 150 animals, most of them rescued.

Reward for Winter tells the story of her challenging yet enviable life change: the earthy triumphs and tribulations of a novice smallholder; the history of Bilsthorpe from Viking settlement through Civil War to coal mining in the 1920s; and the quirky and affecting biography of one of the farm chickens.

Di Slaney’s poems have won numerous accolades including first prize in the Four Corners International Poetry Competition 2015. This, her first full collection, has been praised as ‘beautifully crafted and very moving’ by Jonathan Edwards, winner of the 2014 Costa Poetry Award.

Admission for this event is free and refreshments will be available.

Please reserve your place by emailing fiveleaves.bookshopevents@gmail.com