February 24 2026

‘Seeing your own community in a story matters’

A new children’s book series, set against the backdrop of Wolverhampton’s Chapel Ash area, has been launched by a local author.

Satnam Rakhra’s The Kids from Chapel Ash is a series of 11 books about growing up in Wolverhampton.

Rakhra said he rarely saw himself reflected in the books he read as a child in school.

“The characters rarely looked like me, lived where I lived, or came from families like mine,” he said, “I wanted today’s children to have something different.”

‘Seeing your own community in a story matters’, BBC
January 22 2025

Author Neil Gaiman denies sexual assault allegations (BBC)

Sandman author Neil Gaiman has denied allegations of sexual misconduct, saying he has “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever”.

The 64-year-old was accused on Monday of sexual misconduct by eight women, including four who had previously spoken out.

Author Neil Gaiman denies sexual assault allegations, BBC News
October 15 2023

Defunded theatre has lost its way, says writer Roger Williams

Wales’ national theatre has not produced enough engaging work and lost a meaningful connection with artists, a writer has said.

National Theatre Wales was told in September its annual £1.6m funding was being cut to nothing by Arts Council of Wales (ACW).

Roger Williams, among other members of the artistic community, said the theatre had “lost its way”.

Defunded theatre has lost its way, says writer, Stephen Fairclough, BBC News