Best-selling Teacher author Jack Sheffield is in town with some University Tales

Jack, best known for his Yorkshire-based Teacher series, is launching his University Tales novel in Harley on Friday September 8 between 7.30-9pm.

Born in 1945, Jack grew up in the tough environment of the Gipton estate in north-east Leeds, where reading and writing wasn’t always a priority.

Despite this, in the late 1970s and 80s,Jack was head teacher of two schools in North Yorkshire and began writing short stories about the humorous and occasionally sad times in his working life.

While working as senior lecturer in primary education at Bretton Hall College of the University of Leeds he began to record his many amusing stories of village life, which now feature in the Teacher series.

Jack has continued to grow his bestselling series of books and in 2017 was awarded the honorary title of Cultural Fellow of York St John University.

His latest novel is the first in his University series and tells the story of Dr Tom Frith, who is beginning his first term as a tutor at the University of Eboracum.

After teaching primary school children for several years, he’s sure shaping the minds of young adults will be a welcome change - but that’s before considering the pressures he’ll face outside the lecture hall, from helping three hapless students who’ve been surviving exclusively on porridge to fielding inappropriate propositions from those chasing higher grades.Then there's the particular challenge of Edna Wallop, the acting head of faculty who may have grand plans to overhaul the establishment’s finances, but Tom can’t help being suspicious of her methods...Meanwhile, Tom meets Inger, an enigmatic music tutor, and feels an instant spark. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an eventful year on campus, for tutors and students alike.Described as a hilarious, nostalgic and heart-warming novel about the trials and tribulations of life at a fictional Yorkshire university, fans of James Herriot and Tom Sharpe may just find this right up their street.

• University Tales talk and book signing is at Harley Mission Room (37 Harley Road, S62 7UD) on Friday, September 8, 2023 between 7.30pm and 9. Admission is £6 or £20 including a hardback copy of the book. Tickets are available from Sarah:on 07784 271174 or [email protected]. Alternatively, cash payments will be accepted on the night