When the rather genteel and very English village of Slowbridge, whose social life revolves around its extremely conservative and aristocratic female matriarch, finds itself playing host to mills within its vicinity it seems a disaster. Mills mean smoke and dirt and coarse working people, rather prone to mob violence as well as foul language.

As if that was not enough the niece of a respected inhabitant - a young American girl of all things - suddenly descends on the village, and in doing so provides a second shock to its system.

A wonderful read, full of humour, from the pen of a writer, born in Lancashire, who honed her craft in the USA.

Published in support of the Working Class Movement Library, 51 The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX.