Steve Mullins

This Second Edition is an enhanced collection of reflections, mainly in the format of the old music-hall style monologues: some critical, some personal, some whimsical, some comical and some in other words ending in -al. There has been some tidying up of the original monologues and a couple of corrections - thanks to those who pointed out the errors of my ways, much appreciated. In addition to the original offerings, this second edition adds another fifteen or so original monologues and showcases a number of favourites including: The Unforgettable Metabolic Experience, Rodney Braithwaite, The Gentleman's Hair Removal Cream and a salutary tale of Self-defence. And instead of the original three sections, there are now eight, with the monologues interspersed with the odd Dad Joke and other bits and pieces intended to raise a smile (hopefully, they do). Some time ago the book Yorkshire Rising was published as a scenario where Yorkshire achieves a degree of independence from Whitehall and flourishes - as we should have done years ago. At the time of this publication, the book is being turned into a play with a narrator. In rearranging the monologues, one of the sections includes those from the play to save you having to buy the book or visit the theatre. To finish there's 'meet the author' - in monologue format along with some verses that reflect personal learnings and experiences.

Yorkshire 2035 - The New assembly, is the final book in The Yorkshire Trilogy, completing the journey from feasibility study (Yorkshire, The Case For Independence), through gaining a degree of recognition (Yorkshire 2027, A Strategy For Tomorrow) to finally achieving influence. The book picks up from 2027, a time when the ruling party's majority was slim and they were either over-ruled on new legislation or proved themselves quite incapable of managing a collapsing economy, artificial intelligence and crumbling infrastructure. The political cycle was turning from a period of negative decisions (you can't do that) and excessive documentation (we have a plan - several plans) to a time when experimentation, innovation and novelty at last escaped from the bottle and a new period of positive activity began - and now with Yorkshire at the forefront. The story is of Yorkshire rising above the chaos and ineptitude of Westminster to create its own assembly, a written constitution and a local currency; activities that served as the foundation stones of a system that embraced and developed a vibrant and challenging future. A movement that restored dignity, liberty and freedom to the people of Yorkshire - at last shaking off a detached elite, languishing some 200 miles away in London. Join in. Enjoy.

A story about three pensioners who finally caught up again after some fifty years and discovered that their curiosity and sense of adventure has not diminished - just got a bit creaky; which is why the walks were kept to a reasonable distance with a pub at the end as a reward - friendship hasbecome more important than distance. With a lead from Wainwright the Fell-Wanderer, and a few beers, it was decided to walk from Derby to Malton via Sheffield - through the places where they now live. This was a journey in a number of stages where individual strengths and weaknesses enlivened an adventure and when curiosity was still allowed to surface unselfconsciously. A relaxing and companionable walk spread over nearly three years taking in cultural attractions and a beer festival (twice). A time when they continued to learn and to conjecture about nature, the weather and why things are built that way. They couldn't decide whether this book was going to be a travelogue, a guide book, tourist information or an advert for the Yorkshire Wolds and North Derbyshire, but it doesn't really matter. It's about the importance of friendship, trust and sharing; perhaps inspiring other old friends to try something similar - it's really worthwhile.

2027 looks to return some dignity to Yorkshire after decades, or even centuries, when centralised power had gradually eroded, and knowingly neglected, the needs and aspirations of this significant part of England. The book makes an interesting case and says a lot of things that need to be said. Richard Honnoraty. The Scenario is 2027, election promises made for the 2024 election have been forgotten; 'Levelling-up' 'Northern Powerhouse' and 'a fair deal' have become the stuff of the Music Hall. Deprivation has not been so pronounced since Victorian times, infrastructure hinders progress when it should be supportive and commercially we are significantly underinvested. The book explores the last four years from 2023 and describes how the organisations within Yorkshire started to take back control, by-pass the politicians and begin to rebuild the society that has been taken from us all. Steve Mullins, born in Yorkshire, moved south and on returning several years ago was dismayed by the evident neglect of his home county by central government. His earlier book Yorkshire - the Case For Independence is a case study which demonstrates that Yorkshire could flourish if significant resources were not channelled to the South-East. This book is a step on the way to regaining the county we deserve. An original and fascinating analysis of the political elite, and how they got us into this state of affairs. Steve provides a pragmatic and practical solution to get us out of this current unsatisfactory situation. Made me think. David G. Philpott