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Gerry Wolstenholme

Goodreads Author

Born

in Blackpool, The United Kingdom

Genre

Sports, Literature & Fiction, Poetry

Member Since

September 2008

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/gerryw

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Gerry Wolstenholme was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and attended Northlands private school from the age of three to five because his Dad wanted him to have a better education than he had managed. He then attended Devonshire Road School, infants and juniors, and finally went to Baines Grammar School in nearby Poulton.

He did not know what he wanted to do while at school and, seeing an advertisement for Civil Service examinations he took them. Having passed, he chose to go to London and entered Her Majesty’s Treasury, Whitehall, where he gained promotion and eventually worked in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office.

He married Linda ('the love of my life') in 1968 and in 1972 they decided to move to Gerry’s hometown and relocated in Black Gerry Wolstenholme was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and attended Northlands private school from the age of three to five because his Dad wanted him to have a better education than he had managed. He then attended Devonshire Road School, infants and juniors, and finally went to Baines Grammar School in nearby Poulton.

He did not know what he wanted to do while at school and, seeing an advertisement for Civil Service examinations he took them. Having passed, he chose to go to London and entered Her Majesty’s Treasury, Whitehall, where he gained promotion and eventually worked in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office.

He married Linda ('the love of my life') in 1968 and in 1972 they decided to move to Gerry’s hometown and relocated in Blackpool where Gerry had arranged a transfer to the Department for National Savings. He became ERNIE’s (Premium Bonds) prize draw manager before he took early retirement.

During his Civil Service career he ran a successful secondhand and antiquarian bookselling business, attending book fairs and producing catalogues with a speciality in 19th century English literature. He also wrote his first book, ‘The West Indian Tour of England, 1906’ while still continuing his professional career.

Also a fanatical cricket watcher he produced ‘The Cheltenham Spectator and Festival News’, a day-by-day summary of the Cheltenham cricket festival, for six years. He then produced his own magazine for about the same length of time and there were many disappointed readers when he decided to call it a day for ‘The Cricket Postcard Collectors’ Journal’ magazine that ran to 24 issues. In addition he did radio ball-by-ball commentary on the County Championship and one-day games at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival.

On final retirement he turned to writing more often and contributed many articles to various magazines as well as writing his own books, mainly on sporting themes ('because that was what people wanted me to write'). He was also a regular contributor to the Blackpool Football Club matchday programme, sometimes writing as many as six articles in one issue. And he did match commentary on Blackpool Football Club's Premier League and Football League games for many seasons.

When his wife sadly passed away in 2004 he was devastated and, following a breakdown, he wrote a book of poetry expressing his feelings on the two incidents. He did not expect ‘The Lost-Love Poems of a Madman’ to sell well as he was not known as a poet but the book surpassed expectations and since then he has written occasional poetry on various themes. He says of his poetry book, 'I think it was the title that helped market it for readers were curious as to what it was about!'

In addition to writing his books, he also produces a short run, 10 copies only, of essays on various subjects, ranging from cricket and football to Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini and these have proved to be very popular.

He says that he doubts whether he will ever produce a novel, ‘I don’t have the imagination to do so’ is his view, but he intends to continue writing, God willing, for some time to come.

After his wife's death he was also drawn into another sphere when he was asked to do an after-dinner talk; he says, 'A friend of mine thought I was not eating well and invited me to his Rotary Club for a meal with the proviso that I would do a talk. I asked him how he thought I could do such a talk and he simply said that he had known me long enough and knew that I could do it - so I did!' After that engagements poured in, even without any advertising - 'and certainly not any self-promoting' for he confesses to be extremely nervous prior to each engagement. Initially he did the talks without charging a fee but then decided that he would raise funds for Trinity Hospice, where his beloved wife was treated, and he has continued to do that over the years. ...more

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What books are on your summer reading list this year?

Gerry Wolstenholme Summer reading list? Any reading list? I pose these questions rhetorically for I am sorry to say I don't have any reading lists. If that sounds odd, j…moreSummer reading list? Any reading list? I pose these questions rhetorically for I am sorry to say I don't have any reading lists. If that sounds odd, just let me explain ...

Like probably most of our goodreads readers, I have a huge collection of books and even though I am rapidly running out of room, I do keep adding to it. For instance my daughter visited a couple of weeks ago and we went on buying sprees to car boot sales and various shops with the result that, during her week's stay, I added a further 86 books to my collection.

And that is the reason I do not have a reading list. Every lot of new books that come in (and believe it or not, hardly a day goes by without at least one purchase - and normally many purchases) I peruse and often decide that there is at least one that I must read next. In addition, when I look over my shelves (sadly some books are in wardrobes and are more difficult to get at) I always see something that I think 'I must read that next' - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, it depends on what has come in. Hence no planned reading list!

I realise that perhaps this is an odd way to go about my reading but it seems to suit me and with such a random way of dealing with the problem, I never do know what I am likely to be reading next ... and again that suits me as it probably ensures more variety.

I do know that my book collecting habit is a disease; it comes from all those years of being a secondhand and antiquarian bookseller when, I must confess, when I attended book fairs and my Dad helped me, he used to say, 'I don't know why you are a bookseller for you never want to sell anything' - he was nearly right! I did sell the books, but reluctantly for I considered all the stock mine!

So, as a disease, I realise I do need counselling but I also know that it would do no good for my book buying habits help keep me sane and give me a great interest now that I have lost my beloved wife and in addition my daughter, also a collector, lives 250 miles away. I should mention that I did collect when Linda was alive and what is more, Linda also collected to acerbate the storage problem.

I do hope that this answer gives you an idea of why there is no planned reading list and I should say that I will carry on adding to the collection come what may. Forget that counselling.

If I do change and create a reading list, I will let you know but I doubt that that is going to happen ... it is as likely as me stopping buying books.

Finally, what a joy to be on goodreads and share stories and reviews with other people.(less)

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Gerry Wolstenholme What a great question but I am probably not the best person to answer it as I do not feel that I have a novel in me. However, should that not be the c…moreWhat a great question but I am probably not the best person to answer it as I do not feel that I have a novel in me. However, should that not be the case (doubtful!) I think I would have to write about spies and spying. And that is because (a) I have always been interested in the subject since Burgess and Maclean days but (b) more relevant to the question is the fact that when I was in Government service I attended an intense three-day security course run by the security services. It was so intense that every night after it ended I walked circuitously back to my office for I imagined that I was being followed by spies who wanted to get into my mind and extract secrets from me. I feel sure that I could work something around that as a beginning ... perhaps it would be like PG Wodehouse's 'Not George Washington', that is 'An Autobiographical Novel'! Ah well, I can dream!(less)

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Gerry Wolstenholme’s books

Average rating: 4.96 · 26 ratings · 3 reviews · 43 distinct works

	The West Indian Tour of England 1906 by Gerry Wolstenholme (Goodreads Author), Deborah Wolstenholme (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1992	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lost-Love Poems of a Madman it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blackpool FC Miscellany Seasiders Trivia, History, Facts & Stats it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Blackpool Finally Conquered ... as Manchester United triumph at Wembley, 1948 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Phoenix from the Ashes: The Rise and Rise of Blackpool Football Club 1887 - 1888 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2019	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	From Peak to Pool A Short History of Lancashire versus Derbyshire Matches at Blackpool by Gerry Wolstenholme (Goodreads Author), Deborah Wolstenholme (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1994	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Towering Success The Eighth Australians in Blackpool August 1893 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2007	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Harold Larwood Blackpool Cricket Club professional it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2003	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fleetwood Cricket Club: Northern Premier League Champions 2004 The Story of the Season it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2004	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	By Bus to Wollongong Blackpool Football Club's World Tour 1958 it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog

Lancashire v Glamorgan

A Smash and Grab Raid at Stanley Park

Lancashire Men’s Vitality Blast game at Stanley Park yesterday turned out to be an absolute cracker with 403 runs being scored with 27 fours and 26 sixes. And in an astonishing (and unexpected) finish, Glamorgan, whose captain Kiran Carlson had won the toss and elected to field, won the match with a four from the final ball of the game.
It turned out to be a ve Read more of this blog post »

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Published on June 08, 2026 04:43 • Tags: chris-cooke, cricket, lancashire, liam-livingstone-glamorgan, vitality-blast

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Gerry rated a book it was amazing Crippen: A Novel of Murder by John Boyne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
John Boyne presents us with a fictionalised account of the famous Dr Crippen case of the early 20th century with many of the characters and situations taken from the facts of the case and others created, successfully, to serve the plot. The book moves ...more
15 hours, 31 min ago · 9 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Crippen by John Boyne. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Crippen by John Boyne <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gerry rated a book it was ok The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Julia Donaldson turns her attention to Eastern art themes with the assistance of illustrator Joel Stewart whose artwork mirrors the Japanese style veery well' With her magic paintbrush, Shen enjoys painting steaming pots full of fish and oysters to fe ...more
22 hours, 13 min ago · 1 like · like · see review
Gerry rated a book liked it Sauce by Ronnie Barker	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Ronnie Barker was always a collector of seaside lovelies in any shape or form so he is just the man to put together a book like 'Sauce'. In his introduction he writes, This book is meant to delight the eye. It is intended, as most culinary sauces do, ...more
Jul 28, 2026 09:13AM · 1 like · like · see review
Gerry rated a book it was ok The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Julia Donaldson turns her attention to Eastern art themes with the assistance of illustrator Joel Stewart whose artwork mirrors the Japanese style veery well' With her magic paintbrush, Shen enjoys painting steaming pots full of fish and oysters to fe ...more
Jul 28, 2026 04:03AM · 1 like · like · see review
Gerry rated a book liked it Peppa Goes to the Zoo by Jacqueline Rayner	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
When I buy books for my friends' young children I regularly sneak a read of them first, thus here is my first sighting of Peppa Pig! Madame Gazelle is in charge of Peppa and her friends as they decide to go to the zoo and Madame Gazelle tells them, un ...more
Jul 27, 2026 04:25AM · 1 like · like · see review
Gerry rated a book it was ok Murdoch's Australians in the USA 1882 by Steve Smith (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As a cricket follower, fanatic One might even say, I always enjoy reading cricket books now and again and the title of this particular one was appealing. The author Steve Smith has written any number on American cricket featuring the Philadelphian te ...more
Jul 27, 2026 04:18AM · 2 likes · like · see review
Gerry rated a book really liked it A Primer of Book Collecting by John T. Winterich	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Why does this bibliomaniac have to read a book on book collecting with the word 'Primer' in its title??? Whatever, it is an excellent read and many of the points from its original publication (1926) and this revised edition (1966) still apply. It is ...more
Jul 27, 2026 04:00AM · 5 likes · like · see review
Gerry rated a book really liked it Cornwall's Railways by Tony Fairclough	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Cornwall certainly has an extensive railway history beginning with the horse-drawn tramways through to the halcyon days of steam and beyond and Tony Fairclough charts it all succinctly in this splendid, excellently researched and very detailed short ...more
Jul 27, 2026 03:58AM · 2 likes · like · see review
Gerry rated a book really liked it Romeo and Juliet: A Shakespeare Story by Andrew Matthews	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What an excellent way to introduce a new readership to Shakespeare this is; expertly retold by Andrew Matthews, it lends itself to being read as a novel and could invite readers to try the real thing. But even if it does not do that, it is told in su ...more
Jul 26, 2026 10:07AM · 2 likes · like · see review
Gerry rated a book it was amazing The Birds Down the Lane by Carl A. Mynott	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
In a series that Carl Mynott writes and illustrates, this volume looks dispassionately at the birds Mum, Dad and their child might see as they leave their house and walk down a nearby lane. They immediately encounter a hedge that is alive with 'a bunc ...more
Jul 25, 2026 10:31PM · 1 like · like · see review