Teapot collectors seek aid for child charity book

DORIS and Rosemary with one of their many teapots which was used as the inspiration for their stories.DORIS and Rosemary with one of their many teapots which was used as the inspiration for their stories.
TWO novelty teapot collectors are using their shared interest to write a book and raise money for children in need throughout Middleton.
The Middleton & North Manchester Guardian is backing their idea with an offer to adminster the profits free of charge from the sale of the books - but to get the ball rolling they first need sponsors to help get the book published.
Inspired by the eccentric and fascinating designs of the teapots in their collection, Doris Ligget, 69, and Rosemary Platt-Heaney, 67, decided to combine their efforts and talents to write a collection of children's stories and poems for local child-based good causes.
Rosemary, who was also the author of the popular Bobby Bear books for Booth Hall Hospital in the 1980s, said: “Each story and poem is a unique magical adventure. We wanted to do something that would help the children and as we were both avid teapot collectors we decided to use that as our base and came up with the idea of writing a book about magical teapots.
“The characters are all picked from our own collections. There is a story about a old fashioned motorcar teapot and a clown teapot together with nine other pieces which we think will appeal to all children.”
The two grandmothers met in 1997 through a line dancing class and together developed their love of writing and raising money for charity.
Doris, of Ullswater Drive, said: “I used to write short stories which I would read to my grandchildren. Then when I met Rosemary she steered me through a difficult time in my life and helped me with my writing. I now write all the time, I find it is a great outlet and lets you enter a different world.”
All the stories are now completed and they are now looking for sponsorship to get their book, entitled Teapot Tales for Tweenies, published.
The Middleton Guardian has agreed to be trustee for the charity to ensure the writers' wish of making sure every penny collected goes to help local children.
Rosemary, of Rosthwaite Close, said: “We want every child to receive every penny of what we make. We don't believe in administration costs. We have been very lucky so we wanted to do something to help those children in hospital and those with learning difficulties and with disabilities.”
Emma Mountford
First published by the Middleton Guardian