THE grandson of Timberscombe minister and author of the ‘Uncle’ books, the Rev J P Martin, will be giving an illustrated lecture in St Petrock’s Church on Monday (July 15).

The Rev Martin was Timberscombe Methodist Chapel minister from 1948 to 1966 and is still remembered in the area for his active mission work in the village and his work to support reunion with the Anglican church.

He is also notable as a prolific writer of children’s stories including the series of six Uncle stories, illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake and published in 1964. They feature a cast of fantastical characters, with the purple cloak-wearing elephant Uncle at the centre of the action and a cast of local people and places taking thinly disguised roles in a variety of comical situations.

On Monday, the Rev Martin’s grandson James Currey is coming from Oxford to give an illustrated lecture to the St Petrock’s History Group at 7pm. All are welcome, especially if they have reminiscences about the life and work of the Rev J P Martin.

Annual membership of the History Group is £10 with a £1 payable per meeting, which is six times per year. Visitors pay £4.