Sandwich Kent England UK: Local History Scrapbook: William Horwood

William Horwood

Most biographies of William Horwood state that he was born in Oxford in 1946 and brought up on the South-East coast of England. They don't often mention that the town in question was Deal (just a few miles away from Sandwich) and that he went to school at Sir Roger Manwood's in Sandwich.

One of his books in particular, is set in this part of the world. Stonor Eagles has a storyline of white-tailed eagles trying to re-establish in Scotland, and a parallel storyline concerning the main lead, Stonor, who learns his birdwatching skills in Kent, wandering the dunes as a boy between his home town of Deal and Sandwich after the second world war.

Note: There is a lake in Sandwich called Stonar which is near the site of the old town of Stonar which is no longer in existence. This is also mentioned by birdwatchers as worth a visit in Winter for waterfowl and grebes. (note: it is on private land - but it can be viewed from the road)

Other books by William Horwood, of course, include Duncton Wood and Skallagrigg.