AN author from Great Sankey is celebrating his second book release which was inspired by a church in Winwick.
Being the treasurer of St Oswald’s Church as well as a history enthusiast, Jackson Beck took inspiration from this, basing his novel on a 19th century impropriety and scandal.
Jackson’s book, Cabin in the Clouds, is a modern day murder novel based in New Zealand which originated from the story of the Ellen and Shrigley abduction.
In the Legh chapel within the church, is an impressive alabaster memorial sculpture to Ellen Legh who died giving birth to her second child in 1831 when she was not yet 20 years old.
In 1826 at the age of 15, Ellen from Pott Shrigley was said to be the richest heiress in Cheshire.
She was kidnapped from her boarding school in Liverpool by Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his brother William.
She was taken to Gretna Green and forcibly married to Edward. Eventually justice caught up with the brothers and they were each sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Jackson’s interest was piqued and his research continued on the Wakefield brothers.
Edward went on to be the mastermind behind the setting up of the New Zealand company and the organised settlement of New Zealand.
He progressed to be a very prominent politician and member of parliament.
Legh Chapel
His younger brother William now a colonel, had served as a soldier of fortune before joining the New Zealand company and becoming one of the earliest European settlers in Wellington.
It was on one of his searches for land adventures when his barque, The Tory, got into trouble and was holed in Kaipara harbour on the north-west coat of New Zealand.
They had to jettison a substantial amount of their heavy valuables and cargo to stay afloat.
It’s these items that were jettisoned that became the core of the story of Cabin in the Clouds.
The story grows into a modern-day case of multiple murders and a search for treasures.
Jackson said: ‘‘I intend to use the church again in the future for further writing inspiration.
‘‘I always promote the church whenever I can.’’
Cabin in the Clouds is available on Amazon as a paperback or in Kindle format.
To find out more about the author, visit: www.jacksonbeck.com
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