Collectors of books about New Farm history might like to make room on their shelves for the very latest volume.
“New Farm: Another 50 Stories” by Gerard Benjamin is to be launched at our meeting on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
The book follows on from the success of its predecessor “50 Stories”, and features on its front cover a recent painting by David Hinchliffe, his time a wonderful view of Newstead House.
“Many of the chapters are based on the articles which have appeared in Village Voice over the years,” said Gerard, “but with extra photos, and in some cases, a ‘postscript’ when further details have come to hand.”
The new book includes more than 225 images, and it has a map with the relevant sites marked 1 to 50. “The book could well be the basis for a personal walking tour around the New Farm peninsula,” said Gerard, “allowing you to tick off the sites as you visit them.”
The book represents a marvellous collaborative effort, since so many individuals have made a contribution, whether of photos, information r personal stories.
“That’s why the Acknowledgement page lists 102 names,” said Gerard. “Their input has been invaluable in putting together this new volume f local social history.”
At the Society meeting on Saturday, November 22, copies of “New Farm: Another 50 Stories” will be available for purchase and Gerard will be happy to sign copies.
If you happen to miss that meeting, you might like to visit Newstead House the following day, Sunday November 23, for a second “mini-launch”.
Since Newstead House is hosting a collection of David Hinchliffe’s paintings, David will be on hand from 10am, to conduct a “Paint In”. This means that in addition to viewing the historic house (dating from 1846), visitors may enjoy watching while the participating artists work their magic to bring their scenes of Newstead House to life.
The “mini-launch” of “New Farm: Another 50 Stories” will take place at 1pm. The new book will be available for sale, and Gerard will be delighted to sign copies.