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Little Village School #2
Trouble at the Little Village School
The second book in the delightful BARTON-IN-THE-DALE series which began with THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL.
Elisabeth Devine certainly rocked the boat when she arrived in Barton-in-the-Dale to take over as head teacher of the little primary school. Now it's a new term, and after winning over the wary locals, she can finally settle in to her role. Or so she thinks . . .
For the school is hit by a brand-new bombshell: it's to be merged with its arch rival, and Elisabeth has to fight for the headship with Urebank's ruthless and calculating headmaster. She has her work cut out for her.
But add in some gossip and a helping of scandal, not to mention various newcomers bringing good things and bad to Barton, and that's not the only trouble that's brewing in the village.
Elisabeth Devine certainly rocked the boat when she arrived in Barton-in-the-Dale to take over as head teacher of the little primary school. Now it's a new term, and after winning over the wary locals, she can finally settle in to her role. Or so she thinks . . .
For the school is hit by a brand-new bombshell: it's to be merged with its arch rival, and Elisabeth has to fight for the headship with Urebank's ruthless and calculating headmaster. She has her work cut out for her.
But add in some gossip and a helping of scandal, not to mention various newcomers bringing good things and bad to Barton, and that's not the only trouble that's brewing in the village.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2012
37 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Gervase Phinn
100 books172 followersGervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 21, 2021
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
And he does it again❗👏
This here is storytelling at its simplest and most pleasurable! The very definition of a cosy and idyllic daily-life in a small village setup 🏡, with a dusting of old-fashioned humour, shifting attitudes about the country-way and all the drama and gossip-mongering worthy of our Barton-in-the-Dale residents!
The beautiful Yorkshire Dales
🏃🏃🏃
STORY:
In this second installment of the Little Village School series, all of our very favourite characters are back on the scene for another eventful school semester 🏫, with the addition of a handful of new faces in the bargain!
This time around, trouble takes the shape of collective dismay as the news about the prospective amalgamation of the schools in Urebank and Barton-in-the-Dale gets everyone effusively worked up – as only country people can get about such matters – over a question that is most pressing for our tiny village residents: will the hero-headteacher Mrs Elisabeth Devine 👩🏫 of the Barton-in-the-Dale school be able to retain her post❓ It does not bear thinking about that she may be supplanted by the odious and useless Mr Richardson, who has conveniently been headteacher at Urebank for more decades than one dare count, and has more contacts than is decent or acceptable given his questionable and limited capabilities!
🏃🏃🏃
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
What makes reading Gervase Phinn a positive, heart-warming and enjoyable experience is largely the fact that you know exactly what you will get. If you find yourself in the mood for a comfort read set in the Yorkshire Dales and are looking for endearing characters that are most meticulously carved out, with a community spirit to boot, then this is the ideal book for you right now – you just have to show up!
🌟🌟 Be sure to expect much love, laughter and celebrations in this character-driven narrative with fun-to-read interconnected episodes and stories! 🌟🌟
And he does it again❗👏
This here is storytelling at its simplest and most pleasurable! The very definition of a cosy and idyllic daily-life in a small village setup 🏡, with a dusting of old-fashioned humour, shifting attitudes about the country-way and all the drama and gossip-mongering worthy of our Barton-in-the-Dale residents!
The beautiful Yorkshire Dales
🏃🏃🏃
STORY:
In this second installment of the Little Village School series, all of our very favourite characters are back on the scene for another eventful school semester 🏫, with the addition of a handful of new faces in the bargain!
This time around, trouble takes the shape of collective dismay as the news about the prospective amalgamation of the schools in Urebank and Barton-in-the-Dale gets everyone effusively worked up – as only country people can get about such matters – over a question that is most pressing for our tiny village residents: will the hero-headteacher Mrs Elisabeth Devine 👩🏫 of the Barton-in-the-Dale school be able to retain her post❓ It does not bear thinking about that she may be supplanted by the odious and useless Mr Richardson, who has conveniently been headteacher at Urebank for more decades than one dare count, and has more contacts than is decent or acceptable given his questionable and limited capabilities!
🏃🏃🏃
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
What makes reading Gervase Phinn a positive, heart-warming and enjoyable experience is largely the fact that you know exactly what you will get. If you find yourself in the mood for a comfort read set in the Yorkshire Dales and are looking for endearing characters that are most meticulously carved out, with a community spirit to boot, then this is the ideal book for you right now – you just have to show up!
🌟🌟 Be sure to expect much love, laughter and celebrations in this character-driven narrative with fun-to-read interconnected episodes and stories! 🌟🌟
January 5, 2016
Four and a half stars.
A delightful story set a village in the Yorkshire Dales. Head teacher, Elisabeth Devine, is less than thrilled about the planned merger of Barton with Urebank School. Mr Richardson, the head of Urebank is a difficult man to get along with and is as unpleasant and unyielding a person as was Miss Sowerbutts, who Elisabeth replaced at Barton school.
The village has a diverse cast of characters and the interactions between them produce many moments of laughter, particularly when words are mispronounced or mixed up by certain people. I had many a giggle along the way. This is a feel good read, yet manages to deal with some serious issues like the treatment of children and how some are too quick to label others and not find ways to reach them. That is not the case with Elisabeth. She is the kind of teacher or principal any school would love to have. The personalities in the town as they rub along together (or not) keep the story ticking along.
I struggled a bit with the Yorkshire dialect in print but once I got into it, I was right there in this village. Some of the expressions used are classic. This book is a lot of fun. While I had the next book in the series on hand, I would not normally read two books together without a change of pace in between. I broke that rule for this series as I couldn’t stand to leave these characters as they had worked their way into my heart. This is a joyful read that includes a bit of romance, a good deal about human nature and leaves you feeling good at the end. What more can you ask for? I will be looking for more by this author.
A delightful story set a village in the Yorkshire Dales. Head teacher, Elisabeth Devine, is less than thrilled about the planned merger of Barton with Urebank School. Mr Richardson, the head of Urebank is a difficult man to get along with and is as unpleasant and unyielding a person as was Miss Sowerbutts, who Elisabeth replaced at Barton school.
The village has a diverse cast of characters and the interactions between them produce many moments of laughter, particularly when words are mispronounced or mixed up by certain people. I had many a giggle along the way. This is a feel good read, yet manages to deal with some serious issues like the treatment of children and how some are too quick to label others and not find ways to reach them. That is not the case with Elisabeth. She is the kind of teacher or principal any school would love to have. The personalities in the town as they rub along together (or not) keep the story ticking along.
I struggled a bit with the Yorkshire dialect in print but once I got into it, I was right there in this village. Some of the expressions used are classic. This book is a lot of fun. While I had the next book in the series on hand, I would not normally read two books together without a change of pace in between. I broke that rule for this series as I couldn’t stand to leave these characters as they had worked their way into my heart. This is a joyful read that includes a bit of romance, a good deal about human nature and leaves you feeling good at the end. What more can you ask for? I will be looking for more by this author.
July 9, 2015
A charming old fashioned novel set around Barton-in-the-dale primary school.
When Elizabeth Devine takes over the headship of Barton primary she institutes many changes for the better, she is well liked by both staff and pupils and earns their respect.
But trouble is in the offing when a merger between Barton and Urebank school is proposed as Elizabeth knows and dislikes Mr. Richardson the head of Urebank and is dreading amalgamation of both schools.
Behind the scenes though there is a lot going on in Elizabeth's life, her burgeoning relationship with Dr. Stirling, a shy widower with one son James and who has recently taken on a troubled child called Danny after his grandfather recently died, the reappearance of her ex husband who left her when their son developed signs of Autism and also caring for that disabled son as a single paretn.
Alongside this there is the new curate, Reverend Ashley who turns out to be a SHE and is rather taken with Dr. Stirling herself, Danny's rambunctious grandmother puts in a reappearance into his life and demands to now take responsibility for his welfare though Danny is happy and was looking forward to being formally adopted by Michael Stirling along with a whole host of other hilarious and at times touching characters, including the local village gossips, the grouchy caretaker, Bianca, the new young mother that all lead to mayhem, stress and chaos for Elizabeth to sort out.
Can everything turn out well and will there be a happy ending for such a wonderful cast of loveable characters?
This is the first novel I have read by Gervase Phinn and after it am definitely looking forward to more by him in the future.
A wonderful, funny and very touching read.
When Elizabeth Devine takes over the headship of Barton primary she institutes many changes for the better, she is well liked by both staff and pupils and earns their respect.
But trouble is in the offing when a merger between Barton and Urebank school is proposed as Elizabeth knows and dislikes Mr. Richardson the head of Urebank and is dreading amalgamation of both schools.
Behind the scenes though there is a lot going on in Elizabeth's life, her burgeoning relationship with Dr. Stirling, a shy widower with one son James and who has recently taken on a troubled child called Danny after his grandfather recently died, the reappearance of her ex husband who left her when their son developed signs of Autism and also caring for that disabled son as a single paretn.
Alongside this there is the new curate, Reverend Ashley who turns out to be a SHE and is rather taken with Dr. Stirling herself, Danny's rambunctious grandmother puts in a reappearance into his life and demands to now take responsibility for his welfare though Danny is happy and was looking forward to being formally adopted by Michael Stirling along with a whole host of other hilarious and at times touching characters, including the local village gossips, the grouchy caretaker, Bianca, the new young mother that all lead to mayhem, stress and chaos for Elizabeth to sort out.
Can everything turn out well and will there be a happy ending for such a wonderful cast of loveable characters?
This is the first novel I have read by Gervase Phinn and after it am definitely looking forward to more by him in the future.
A wonderful, funny and very touching read.
June 14, 2019
It's great to get another story with favourites; Elisabeth, Dr Stirling, Oscar, the caretaker, school secretary, Danny, James and many more.
The new story features a merger with close by school Urebank with the headteacher Mr Richardson. I was hoping all the way through he wouldn't get the overall headteacher job. The secondary story is Danny having a grandma who does not seem very nice to me or maybe she is just misunderstood. Thirdly is the hot and cold romance of Elisabeth and Dr Stirling throwing in another woman being interested in the doctor and her ex husband. I was with Danny and James at the end just say yes.
A special mention to the character of Mrs Sloughwaite, she's so nosey and a gossip but brilliant in a robbery.
My only issue with the book is it describes what happened before a little too much. I look forward to the next book in the set once again.
The new story features a merger with close by school Urebank with the headteacher Mr Richardson. I was hoping all the way through he wouldn't get the overall headteacher job. The secondary story is Danny having a grandma who does not seem very nice to me or maybe she is just misunderstood. Thirdly is the hot and cold romance of Elisabeth and Dr Stirling throwing in another woman being interested in the doctor and her ex husband. I was with Danny and James at the end just say yes.
A special mention to the character of Mrs Sloughwaite, she's so nosey and a gossip but brilliant in a robbery.
My only issue with the book is it describes what happened before a little too much. I look forward to the next book in the set once again.
December 22, 2015
So good! Very predictable and all ends well that ends well but it's such a comfy story and I'm really loving the characters.
October 15, 2018
Really enjoying this series
July 22, 2021
Book 2 is just as sweet as the first book. I love this sweet series.
May 25, 2017
I was really disappointed with this book - it's the second one in the series and basically the plot line was pretty much a repeat of the first one. A child who ran away, the will-they-won't-they relationship of the village doctor and the school headmistress, and the on-going saga of whether the small village school would join forces with the bigger school in the next town.
I don't feel that the book bought anything new and it just felt like a repeat of the first one, and considering that there are four in the series, I honestly don't know where the plot line will go for the other two.
I don't feel that the book bought anything new and it just felt like a repeat of the first one, and considering that there are four in the series, I honestly don't know where the plot line will go for the other two.
January 7, 2014
Elisabeth Devine became headteacher of the Little Village School last year and all is going well ... until they hear news of an amalgamation with Urebank, a school with a headteacher just as unpleasant as Miss Devines' predecessor.
At times laugh-out-loud funny, at times heart-warming and heart-breaking, this is a realistic and delightful read about Barton-in-the-Dale. Mr Phinn never fails to impress!
At times laugh-out-loud funny, at times heart-warming and heart-breaking, this is a realistic and delightful read about Barton-in-the-Dale. Mr Phinn never fails to impress!
September 13, 2013
Follow up book to 'The Little Village School'. Very entertaining and another look at the characters in Barton-in the Dale. I sweet book that doesn't have a mass of substance in some respects but you can't actually help liking it. An easy read to relax with at the end of the day!
November 6, 2015
Another cosy, warm, sentimental tale - again very predictable and none the worse for that. Lots of laugh out loud moments as well as wry moments of recognition. I'm actually quite keen to start the next instalment as I'm enjoying the characters' stories quite a lot!
July 25, 2016
This continuing story of Barton-in-the-Dale and its interesting townsfolk is a joy to read. The joys and frustrations of life in the village are told with warmth and humor. I found the malapropisms coming out of the general store to be particularly delightful.
May 4, 2013
Just the ticket if you want an easy read to enjoy in the sunshine.
February 17, 2014
another fab book by gervase.....
November 24, 2013
Loved this, can't wait to read his latest book.
March 30, 2015
just loved the simplicity of it it made me feel good
August 5, 2014
A lovely book. I really enjoyed reading this and can't wait for book 3
December 22, 2014
My first Gervase Phinn fiction book. I had been putting off trying one thinking it wouldn't be as good as his no fiction titles but I was wrong! A good book!
February 3, 2016
Love the characters in this series & the dialect. Brought tears to my eyes at times but at others made me laugh out loud. Always a sign of a good book!!
January 18, 2016
I cannot put these books down. ..they are well written and the characters really well described. ..the stories are a bit predictable but funny and I cannot wait to read the next one. ..
June 6, 2016
The second, and equally warm-hearted installment from The Little Village School series. Predictable but in a good way.
May 23, 2017
Years ago, before I began review books, I read what at the time were, all of Gervase Phinn's books of reminiscences of his time as a school inspector. I thought they were great. Trouble At The Little Village School is the first of his fictional stories that I read.
Set at Barton-In-The-Dale school, in his county of Yorkshire, Elisabeth Devine the school's headmistress, having successfully fended off closure of her school, now has another problem. Her school is to be merged into a consortium and it is far from certain who will be the consortium's head teacher, especially if a certain loud councillor has any say, or maybe I should say 'sway' in the matter.
Phinn gives us a rich array of characters, from Mrs Sloughthwaite who runs the village shop, and knows every one and juicy bit of gossip in the village, to Miss Sowerbutts, predecessor of Elisabeth Devine as head of the school, as sour a character as her name might suggest.
From Malcolm Stubbins, recalictrant youth obsessed with football, to Danny Stainthorp, living with the village doctor after his grandfather died, who loves the outdoor life in the countryside.
Trouble At The Little Village School is written with a much warmth and humour that I remember from his early books about his time as a school inspector. Phinn stays with the subject he knows best, and it shows. He paints a picture of the drama of village life that has you cheering for some characters and, if it were a panto, you's be booing some of them too.
Trouble At The Little Village School is an easy going read that had me chuckling at it's good humoured look at village life.
Set at Barton-In-The-Dale school, in his county of Yorkshire, Elisabeth Devine the school's headmistress, having successfully fended off closure of her school, now has another problem. Her school is to be merged into a consortium and it is far from certain who will be the consortium's head teacher, especially if a certain loud councillor has any say, or maybe I should say 'sway' in the matter.
Phinn gives us a rich array of characters, from Mrs Sloughthwaite who runs the village shop, and knows every one and juicy bit of gossip in the village, to Miss Sowerbutts, predecessor of Elisabeth Devine as head of the school, as sour a character as her name might suggest.
From Malcolm Stubbins, recalictrant youth obsessed with football, to Danny Stainthorp, living with the village doctor after his grandfather died, who loves the outdoor life in the countryside.
Trouble At The Little Village School is written with a much warmth and humour that I remember from his early books about his time as a school inspector. Phinn stays with the subject he knows best, and it shows. He paints a picture of the drama of village life that has you cheering for some characters and, if it were a panto, you's be booing some of them too.
Trouble At The Little Village School is an easy going read that had me chuckling at it's good humoured look at village life.
May 20, 2018
Changes come to Barton-in-the-Dale.
The school is to be amalgamated with the one in Urebank. Elisabeth, Barton's head teacher and Mr Richardson of Urebank are contenders for the same job.
Elisabeth moved to Barton to be near her severily autistic son, John. She has become friends with the local doctor, Michael.The latter, a widower, is raising his son,James, and fostering parentless Danny.
Everything is fine till Danny's absent grandmother appears and takes him away...
New curate, Ashley, moves in- a young woman.
We see the small village life- births, deaths, gossip. Interesting characters both between the grownups and the children. There is inquisitive Oscar, football crazy Malcolm, dyslexic Darren who writes beautiful poems. The people in the village have quaint names, but common problems .There is the sour former head teacher;, the old maid deputy head teacher who finally finds love,; the major;the local Lady needing to sell something to pay for the upkeep of her house...Young Danny feeling lost and deceived ...
This is a new author for me .I enjoyed the book very much.
The school is to be amalgamated with the one in Urebank. Elisabeth, Barton's head teacher and Mr Richardson of Urebank are contenders for the same job.
Elisabeth moved to Barton to be near her severily autistic son, John. She has become friends with the local doctor, Michael.The latter, a widower, is raising his son,James, and fostering parentless Danny.
Everything is fine till Danny's absent grandmother appears and takes him away...
New curate, Ashley, moves in- a young woman.
We see the small village life- births, deaths, gossip. Interesting characters both between the grownups and the children. There is inquisitive Oscar, football crazy Malcolm, dyslexic Darren who writes beautiful poems. The people in the village have quaint names, but common problems .There is the sour former head teacher;, the old maid deputy head teacher who finally finds love,; the major;the local Lady needing to sell something to pay for the upkeep of her house...Young Danny feeling lost and deceived ...
This is a new author for me .I enjoyed the book very much.
July 27, 2017
It looks like this took forever to read but it was a hardback and so didn't go out and about with me as much as other books and so was started but then neglected - it was actually a pretty quick read when I got down to it.
It was nice to catch up with the characters and goings on in the village but it wasn't a hugely exciting book - quite predictable I think, and some of the jokes about the characters are wearing a bit thin as they are repeated from book to book in the series. Quite a simple story but no doubt I'll read the next one to find out what happens. It's like a soap opera that's past its heyday but I don't want to stop watching in case I miss something good!
It was nice to catch up with the characters and goings on in the village but it wasn't a hugely exciting book - quite predictable I think, and some of the jokes about the characters are wearing a bit thin as they are repeated from book to book in the series. Quite a simple story but no doubt I'll read the next one to find out what happens. It's like a soap opera that's past its heyday but I don't want to stop watching in case I miss something good!
November 27, 2018
It was another audio CD version I listened to whilst commuting.
I'm not sure I would have enjoyed reading this, it's a little too gentle and slow moving.
But it was a real treat to listen to the author reading his own story in his beautiful Yorkshire burr. It was like receiving a mug of hot chocolate and having a big cosy scarf wrapped around me every time I got into the car.
Yes it was predictable, yes the characters were a little stereotypical, but stuck in traffic for over an hour yesterday, I was transported many miles North and distracted from staring at the boot of the car in front. Instead I was gazing on rolling hills and grazing sheep.
I'm not sure I would have enjoyed reading this, it's a little too gentle and slow moving.
But it was a real treat to listen to the author reading his own story in his beautiful Yorkshire burr. It was like receiving a mug of hot chocolate and having a big cosy scarf wrapped around me every time I got into the car.
Yes it was predictable, yes the characters were a little stereotypical, but stuck in traffic for over an hour yesterday, I was transported many miles North and distracted from staring at the boot of the car in front. Instead I was gazing on rolling hills and grazing sheep.
October 10, 2014
As my local Library had this book in and not its predecessor, I was dropped into village life in Barton in the Dale but it didn't actually make any difference. Gervase Phinn has an immense talent for drawing you in (this is not the first of his books I've read, having read his non fiction School Inspector series) the characters are colourful, his depiction of the village is enchanting and as always the writing is wry and witty.
January 2, 2013
Charming, set in the Yorkshire Dales, centred around the local village primary school.
January 15, 2015
Not as good as the first one, too many characters talking about what's just happened instead of showing us it happening. Felt a bit rushed.
February 5, 2014
I thought this book was brilliant. Although towards the end I thought it was rushed.
June 3, 2015
Another very enjoyable listen/read of one of Gervase Phinn's novels. He does the narration himself and is brilliant in his differentiation of each of the characters with their various accents.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews