A LITERARY lunch at the Old Manor House in Newton Valence raised more than £5,000 for a depression awareness charity. Organised by Romy Parsons and a committee of eight ladies, the special lunch for 150 friends and villagers, featured a talk by well-known author Rachel Billington. Mrs Billington addressed the lunch-goers with a talk themed with writing in different voices – including journalism, novels and script writing – all for differing audiences. Rachel is a prolific author and has published 16 novels and seven children's books. After lunch, Rachel signed copies of her latest novel, One Summer. The story follows a tragic love affair between a 16-year-old girl and an older married man. The money raised will go to the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, a registered charity which aims to increase awareness of depression, reduce the stigma attached to mental illness and alert people to its risks. One Summer is now on sale at the Little Green Dragon in Alton.
