We moved away from London before I reached the grand age of two and I spent the next ten years growing up in Luton.  My sister Pamela and I went to Denbigh Primary School.


I well remember Mr Lyons and his "smacky bottom club" (not politically correct these days, but what is?), and the book that he read out to us. It was called The Magic Door, and for many years I was unable to track it down. When I finally did, I discovered that it had been reprinted (in fact rekeyed, without the benefit of a proofreader) by the author's great-niece. I was so pleased to find the book - and Dylan has enjoyed hearing it so much - that I contacted her and offered to do a free proofread. She accepted, so if you buy the book now, it should be free of typos. Nowadays you can get a copy from Amazon.