Product Description

This is the third story of Gervase Phinn, schools inspector in Yorkshire. He begins his third year with a spring in his step for in April he will marry Christine Bentley, head teacher of Winnery Nook School. But before then he has to suffer the wicked repartee of his fellow inspectors on the subjects of love and marriage. The well-named Mrs Savage still attempts to exert her power via incomprehensible memos, and Connie continues to rule the Staff Development Centre with a broom of iron and duster of disapproval at any dirty marks. In the schools themselves Gervase Phinn faces every challenge with humour that is rarely far from the surface.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #388407 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Review
The third in the funny, anecdotal series about life in the Dales from the 'James Herriot' of school inspectors.

About the Author
Gervase Phinn is now nationally recognised as a best-selling author following the immense success of his first two books, The Other Side of the Dale and Over Hill and Dale. His speaking engagements are always a sell-out. He lives near Doncaster.

Customer Reviews

Further tales of life as a school inspector
The third instalment of Gervase Phinn's narrative of his time as a school inspector is as welcome as the first two. In the first two volumes, we followed Gervase's meeting with Christine, and their courtship. In this book, they eventually get married, and set to renovating the derelict country cottage with its overgrown garden, in which they start their married life.

The real stars of the book, though, are the children, and it is clear that Gervase Phinn has a wonderful relationship with them, and a real affection for them. He must have been a fantastic teacher.

We also meet old friends from the previous books - the rest of the inspection team, Brenda Savage - the alarming PA who made a pass at Gervase in an earlier book - Julie (the inspectors' secretary) and Connie, who rules the Professional Centre with a rod of iron.

If you have read the other two books, you will love this one. If not, buy the paper back versions of the other two, and then enjoy this one.

Oh, and if you are a teacher, read this to remind yourself what life was like before OFSTED inspections!

Good things come to those who wait........
Having been introduced to Gervase Phinn's books by questioning why my mum and dad were both laughing in bed! I waited with baited breath for the next part... and how I wasn't disappointed. This time round Gervase is getting ready for marriage and married life and whilst only a few pages are taken up with the wedding part (don't think the whole book is given over to it) it continues to entertain us with tales of children, Mrs Savage, David and Sydney and Connie at the Staff Development Centre. All of whom have a unique and wonderful sense of humour, something that you probably need to have whilst working with children. Many moments stand out from this book and it would be too difficult to pick and tell you one. I wait with great delight for the fourth part(please write some more, Gervase) and to learn that the television rights have been sold as well. All I will say (and once you have the read the book you will know why) is 'Frank sent this...'!

It had me laughing out loud!
I came across this book by chance. Having grown up & been educated in the Yorkshire Dales, I am attracted to stories about this region. However it isn't necessary to have lived there to appreciate this book. It's not necessary either to have read the first two novels, I hadn't and it didn’t spoil anything, although having read this one I'd like to read the others now. Nor is it necessary to have an interest in schooling or education in general : it’s makes for a funny and touching read and I’m sure it would appeal to all ages/all readers. Phinn writes about his real life experiences as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales with candour and warmth and the reader can picture him trying to suppress a smile as he faces the children and their daily schooling. I heartily recommend it!