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Local author invited to England for VE Day Anniversary
Elinor Florence of Invermere, who wrote the bestselling wartime novel Bird’s Eye View, will be one of the guest speakers at a special event in England marking the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8.
Her novel tells the story of a Canadian airwoman who serves as an aerial photo interpreter at RAF Medmenham in England, a beautiful white stone mansion located west of London that served as the headquarters for photo interpretation during the war. Published by Dundurn Press in 2014, the book went on to become a Canadian bestseller.
After the war the mansion became a luxury hotel called Danesfield House Hotel, which is hosting the weekend event. Florence will be joined by other notable wartime authors, Royal Air Force veterans, and even a 97-year-old former photo interpreter.
“I visited the hotel 20 years ago when I was doing my research but never imagined I would be invited back as a guest!” Florence said. “It’s a very posh hotel, where George and Amal Clooney held their wedding reception. I’m thrilled about meeting a real photo interpreter and chatting with the other authors, and just soaking up the historic atmosphere.”
She will speak three times at the weekend event, on May 8, 9, and 10. Guests can book the weekend package, or buy a ticket for the Saturday luncheon, entitling them to a full day of events including a tour of the historic hotel.
“A number of my contacts in Canada and England are planning to attend,” Florence said. “I even heard from a lady in Australia who is flying over for the event.”
May 8, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the German surrender, ending the war in Europe and securing the Allied victory after six long years of conflict.
If you would like to reserve either the weekend package or the Saturday luncheon, visit the website for Danesfield House Hotel. You may also visit the author’s website: www.elinorflorence.com/events
Bird’s Eye View is available locally through any bookstore including Coles and Huckleberry Books in Cranbrook. It’s also available online from Amazon as an e-book and an audiobook.
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