October 2001 newsletter
This newsletter is from Thrale.com - the place for history and genealogy about the Thrale family - not forgetting Thrall, Thralls, Thral, Trayle and Thrawl's. Three big developments to tell you about in the small Thrale world:
Thrale.com has been completely revamped. The same information, but with a smarter look. It is now easier to find information and move around the site. The redesign work is now 95% finished, I'm still tinkering with a few bits, but it should be finished very soon. Please tell me what you think.
A new book - called 'According to Queeney' - has been published by the well known English author Beryl Bainbridge. It tells the of the part of Samuel Johnson's life during which he lived as part of Henry and Hester Thrale's family. I have read about half of the book, which is a very enjoyable read. This book - which was nominated for the 2001 Booker Prize - is a must have for Thrale's everywhere. More information about the book will be placed on Thrale.com sometime next week. Watch this space.
Incredibly the BBC will be broadcasting an hour long television programme on the subject of Bainbridge's book. It is called Arena: According to Beryl and will be broadcast on BBC2 Saturday 6 October 2001 at 19.00. If you have access to BBC2 don't miss it, and turn on your video recorder. I know that it will include footage about the Thrale family and of the Brynbella and Tremeirchion Church in Wales where Hester Thrale was buried. Just remember it is on the telly on the same day as the football international England v Greece!
Since the last newsletter in June 2001, Thrale.com has added:
- information about the American Thrall's;
- the will of the first Thrale to emigrate to America;
- my account of my visit to Hester Thrale's home Brynbella, her grave and Tremeirchion (photos to follow very soon);
- Hester Thrale's verses about the year 2000 in 1789;
- 20 more verses by Hester Thrale;
- information about the 1790 Streatham party attended by 1,000 people.
Thanks to everyone who has sent me e-mails or signed the guest book, it makes all the hard work on the website worthwhile - keep your messages coming. I have been so busy working on the redesign of the site that I have neglected to update all the stuff that I have been sent. Sorry but the redesign is something that once you start you have to finish. I hate those "under construction" sites. I hope to make amends soon by posting all the information I have been sent.
Keep in touch.
David Thrale
Thrale.com
