John Phillpott’s book ‘Beef Cubes and Burdock: Memories of a 1950s Country Childhood' was featured in The Old Laurentian Society Newsletter sent to all members of the society. Newsletter shed a very positive light on the book.

‘Beef Cubes and Burdock’ is a fond look over the childhood days of John, from the times where life was about the bells of the church, tranquillity of fields, rumbling tractor engine, birdsong and the sound of cattle. Over the past half-century, most of it is gone with just a trace left behind.

John Phillpott was born in Churchover, Warwickshire where he grew up listening to ‘Warwickshire Weed’ of folklore. He started his career in 1965, at the young age of 16 by becoming a trainee reporter on the Rugby Advertiser. Since then, he has worked as a reporter, feature writer, chief sub-editor, letters editor, reviewer and columnist for many Midlands newspapers. John and his wife, Cheryl now live in Worcester, where he is enjoying a semi-retired life.