Melvin Wilkinson Literature

We all have a book in us, it’s time to let it out

Don’t think.......create

Just try I did



Melvin was born in Shepherds Bush but was raised in Notting Hill from a very early age and even though he now lives in rural Wiltshire he still looks upon London W11 as his spiritual home. Notting Hill and Dale are his roots and he considers it the most important area he has lived in. “I love Notting Hill and where ever I am in the world I am not happier than I am in returning to W11”
Melvin is the author of the best selling social history book “The book of Notting Hill (A very special part of London) a part of the Halsgrove Parish History Series.
A Life on the Lane is a new chapter in his literary portfolio, it is his first foray into the world of fiction.
With the success of a Life on the Lane Melvin has now moved on to another and totally different project.
Incremental Damage is a thriller in the spy/military genre. It follows a band of brothers from being recruited from around the world to missions in the worlds hotspots. Nothing is off limits for this heroic band of spies, soldiers of fortune or even heroes. Their description is whatever you want it to be, unorthodox is probably a good starting point.
Book 2 of the series is Incremental Challenge and is now available on Amazon. Our heroes are on the case again.
The second book of the ”Life on” series is well under way and follows the life of Eric and his family. The working title is “A Life on Westbourne Park Road” and hopefully will be on the book shelve very soon.

Just try I did image

My Books

The Book of Notting Hill - This is another book in the "Halsgrove Parish History" series, reminding us of the people and events that have made our communities what they are today - celebrating the past and providing a stepping stone to the future. The photographs in this unique volume, many of them previously unpublished, are a vital record of the history and inhabitants of this ancient settlement brought together from across the community. Notting Hill, part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has a history that has seen it transformed from wooded backwater to farming community, to fashionable Victorian residential district. Today Notting Hill is home to one of the most famous street markets in the world, Portobello Road, and greets a million or more visitors each August to its carnival, the largest in Europe. The area has links to the modern music and entertainment businesses and has been the location of numerous films and television programmes. Notting Hill has a diverse and culturally rich population as people from across the world have settled in this highly cosmopolitan district. All this, and much more, is detailed in this 160 page book, copiously illustrated throughout with over 200 historic photographs of the places and people who have made up the thriving community of Notting Hill and its surrounding parish.
A Life on the Lane (Paperback) - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wow what a title, and along with a fantastic name what a place. Its a Marmite type of area really, everyone that has anything to do with it will either fall in love or simply hate the place. As I said from the very first page of this book the Royal Borough was “ friend and family to me and on the other hand a foe that almost killed and made me suffer almost beyond the boundaries of human endurance” but I still love the place. I return regularly to just wander around the Lane or streets, to mingle with west Londoners, west Londoners from all over the world. This book is a work of fiction but everything within its pages is based on fact. Anyone that was around the area in the 1950s 60s or 70s will be able to recognise themselves or someone they know, they will have had experiences the same as Malc or Sue, they will have heard of tragedies like that which hit Eric and his family. Within the streets of Notting Hill and Dale people suffered on a daily basis, even for me and my family who were probably better off than many we felt the reality of poverty and pain. We lived cheek by jowel with those that suffered but put up a fight against their conditions. It was the people of W11/10 that eventualy changed how tennants were treated, it was of course those very people that suffered at the hands of Peter Rachman and Michael de Fretas et al. It was Rachman himself that was made immortal by the fact that Rachmanism became a word to be found in the English language, its a noun in the Oxford English dictioary meaning the intimida-tion and exploitation of tenants by an unscrupulous lanlord. That said the lives of so many people were very hard but it was a great life as well, with the law as it is today children cannot get lifes experience the way we did by doing a bit of work on the lane. They cannot mix with people the way we did because of the fear of their parents wanting to protect them. Its a dicotomy that we say children grow up to quickly these days but are they, are they streetwise or in possesion of a degree from the university of life, I for one am not sure they do, I am also not sure who is to blame if anyone. Well with that out of the way it would be nice if you enjoy this little tale, I hope you recognise some of the situations described within its pages, I also feel sure you will recognise some of the charecters either good or bad and whether good or bad they all made up the population of this very special part of London.
A Life on the Lane - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wow what a title, and along with a fantastic name what a place. Its a Marmite type of area really, everyone that has anything to do with it will either fall in love or simply hate the place. As I said from the very first page of this book the Royal Borough was “ friend and family to me and on the other hand a foe that almost killed and made me suffer almost beyond the boundaries of human endurance” but I still love the place. I return regularly to just wander around the Lane or streets, to mingle with west Londoners, west Londoners from all over the world. This book is a work of fiction but everything within its pages is based on fact. Anyone that was around the area in the 1950s 60s or 70s will be able to recognise themselves or someone they know, they will have had experiences the same as Malc or Sue, they will have heard of tragedies like that which hit Eric and his family Within the streets of Notting Hill and Dale people suffered on a daily basis, even for me and my family who were probably better off than many we felt the reality of poverty and pain. We lived cheek by jowel with those that suffered but put up a fight against their conditions. It was the people of W11/10 that eventualy changed how tennants were treated, it was of course those very people that suffered at the hands of Peter Rachman and Michael de Fretas et al. It was Rachman himself that was made immortal by the fact that Rachmanism became a word to be found in the English language, its a noun in the Oxford English dictioary meaning the intimida-tion and exploitation of tenants by an unscrupulous lanlord. That said the lives of so many people were very hard but it was a great life as well, with the law as it is today children cannot get lifes experience the way we did by doing a bit of work on the lane. They cannot mix with people the way we did because of the fear of their parents wanting to protect them. Its a dicotomy that we say children grow up to quickly these days but are they, are they streetwise or in possesion of a degree from the university of life, I for one am not sure they do, I am also not sure who is to blame if anyone. Well with that out of the way it would be nice if you enjoy this little tale, I hope you recognise some of the situations described within its pages, I also feel sure you will recognise some of the charecters either good or bad and whether good or bad they all made up the population of this very special part of London.
Mark Turner is new to the Secret Intelligence Service. He is the missing link between the Armed Forces and the Intelligence Community. Just how far he will go is easily answered… All the way. He and his team have been recruited to be deniable, to be expendable, to do the jobs that fall into the crack between the two services and known only to a special and determined elite. They are the best; failure is not in their vocabulary. They have been gathered from all over the world as well as our own specialist military units. Their missions see them in the deserts of Syria and the forests of Ukraine, with regular forces and Militia but always with determination and a resolve to win. The loyalty they build up creates a bond known only to those that have fought together, to those who have trusted each other with their lives But the question remains; exactly how many missions can they survive?.
Incremental Challenge - The second book in the series we find Mark and his team back from missions in Syria and Ukraine.Alpha Team are reduced in number, but tactical recruitment makes them a leaner more focused group. They are still the crème de la crème and still execute their orders to the full. Who knows when the grim reaper will come to collect them but it is a worry they put to the back of their minds after all they have lives outside the secret service, people that rely on them. They know that the entire country depends on them without the country actually knowing of its dependency at times. Armed or unarmed they put themselves in harms way, over and over again, and remain unsung heroes.
Incremental Challenge - The second book in the series we find Mark and his team back from missions in Syria and Ukraine.Alpha Team are reduced in number, but tactical recruitment makes them a leaner more focused group. They are still the crème de la crème and still execute their orders to the full. Who knows when the grim reaper will come to collect them but it is a worry they put to the back of their minds after all they have lives outside the secret service, people that rely on them. They know that the entire country depends on them without the country actually knowing of its dependency at times. Armed or unarmed they put themselves in harms way, over and over again, and remain unsung heroes.
Incremental Rescue - The third in the Incremental series sees our heroes on the streets of London before travelling around the Middle East protecting both a British delegation and themselves. Stand by to welcome back an old member of the team.

The Book of Notting Hill - This is another book in the "Halsgrove Parish History" series, reminding us of the people and events that have made our communities what they are today - celebrating the past and providing a stepping stone to the future. The photographs in this unique volume, many of them previously unpublished, are a vital record of the history and inhabitants of this ancient settlement brought together from across the community. Notting Hill, part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has a history that has seen it transformed from wooded backwater to farming community, to fashionable Victorian residential district. Today Notting Hill is home to one of the most famous street markets in the world, Portobello Road, and greets a million or more visitors each August to its carnival, the largest in Europe. The area has links to the modern music and entertainment businesses and has been the location of numerous films and television programmes. Notting Hill has a diverse and culturally rich population as people from across the world have settled in this highly cosmopolitan district. All this, and much more, is detailed in this 160 page book, copiously illustrated throughout with over 200 historic photographs of the places and people who have made up the thriving community of Notting Hill and its surrounding parish.

A Life on the Lane (Paperback) - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wow what a title, and along with a fantastic name what a place. Its a Marmite type of area really, everyone that has anything to do with it will either fall in love or simply hate the place. As I said from the very first page of this book the Royal Borough was “ friend and family to me and on the other hand a foe that almost killed and made me suffer almost beyond the boundaries of human endurance” but I still love the place. I return regularly to just wander around the Lane or streets, to mingle with west Londoners, west Londoners from all over the world. This book is a work of fiction but everything within its pages is based on fact. Anyone that was around the area in the 1950s 60s or 70s will be able to recognise themselves or someone they know, they will have had experiences the same as Malc or Sue, they will have heard of tragedies like that which hit Eric and his family. Within the streets of Notting Hill and Dale people suffered on a daily basis, even for me and my family who were probably better off than many we felt the reality of poverty and pain. We lived cheek by jowel with those that suffered but put up a fight against their conditions. It was the people of W11/10 that eventualy changed how tennants were treated, it was of course those very people that suffered at the hands of Peter Rachman and Michael de Fretas et al. It was Rachman himself that was made immortal by the fact that Rachmanism became a word to be found in the English language, its a noun in the Oxford English dictioary meaning the intimida-tion and exploitation of tenants by an unscrupulous lanlord. That said the lives of so many people were very hard but it was a great life as well, with the law as it is today children cannot get lifes experience the way we did by doing a bit of work on the lane. They cannot mix with people the way we did because of the fear of their parents wanting to protect them. Its a dicotomy that we say children grow up to quickly these days but are they, are they streetwise or in possesion of a degree from the university of life, I for one am not sure they do, I am also not sure who is to blame if anyone. Well with that out of the way it would be nice if you enjoy this little tale, I hope you recognise some of the situations described within its pages, I also feel sure you will recognise some of the charecters either good or bad and whether good or bad they all made up the population of this very special part of London.

A Life on the Lane - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wow what a title, and along with a fantastic name what a place. Its a Marmite type of area really, everyone that has anything to do with it will either fall in love or simply hate the place. As I said from the very first page of this book the Royal Borough was “ friend and family to me and on the other hand a foe that almost killed and made me suffer almost beyond the boundaries of human endurance” but I still love the place. I return regularly to just wander around the Lane or streets, to mingle with west Londoners, west Londoners from all over the world. This book is a work of fiction but everything within its pages is based on fact. Anyone that was around the area in the 1950s 60s or 70s will be able to recognise themselves or someone they know, they will have had experiences the same as Malc or Sue, they will have heard of tragedies like that which hit Eric and his family Within the streets of Notting Hill and Dale people suffered on a daily basis, even for me and my family who were probably better off than many we felt the reality of poverty and pain. We lived cheek by jowel with those that suffered but put up a fight against their conditions. It was the people of W11/10 that eventualy changed how tennants were treated, it was of course those very people that suffered at the hands of Peter Rachman and Michael de Fretas et al. It was Rachman himself that was made immortal by the fact that Rachmanism became a word to be found in the English language, its a noun in the Oxford English dictioary meaning the intimida-tion and exploitation of tenants by an unscrupulous lanlord. That said the lives of so many people were very hard but it was a great life as well, with the law as it is today children cannot get lifes experience the way we did by doing a bit of work on the lane. They cannot mix with people the way we did because of the fear of their parents wanting to protect them. Its a dicotomy that we say children grow up to quickly these days but are they, are they streetwise or in possesion of a degree from the university of life, I for one am not sure they do, I am also not sure who is to blame if anyone. Well with that out of the way it would be nice if you enjoy this little tale, I hope you recognise some of the situations described within its pages, I also feel sure you will recognise some of the charecters either good or bad and whether good or bad they all made up the population of this very special part of London.

Mark Turner is new to the Secret Intelligence Service. He is the missing link between the Armed Forces and the Intelligence Community. Just how far he will go is easily answered… All the way. He and his team have been recruited to be deniable, to be expendable, to do the jobs that fall into the crack between the two services and known only to a special and determined elite. They are the best; failure is not in their vocabulary. They have been gathered from all over the world as well as our own specialist military units. Their missions see them in the deserts of Syria and the forests of Ukraine, with regular forces and Militia but always with determination and a resolve to win. The loyalty they build up creates a bond known only to those that have fought together, to those who have trusted each other with their lives But the question remains; exactly how many missions can they survive?.

Incremental Challenge - The second book in the series we find Mark and his team back from missions in Syria and Ukraine.Alpha Team are reduced in number, but tactical recruitment makes them a leaner more focused group. They are still the crème de la crème and still execute their orders to the full. Who knows when the grim reaper will come to collect them but it is a worry they put to the back of their minds after all they have lives outside the secret service, people that rely on them. They know that the entire country depends on them without the country actually knowing of its dependency at times. Armed or unarmed they put themselves in harms way, over and over again, and remain unsung heroes.

Incremental Challenge - The second book in the series we find Mark and his team back from missions in Syria and Ukraine.Alpha Team are reduced in number, but tactical recruitment makes them a leaner more focused group. They are still the crème de la crème and still execute their orders to the full. Who knows when the grim reaper will come to collect them but it is a worry they put to the back of their minds after all they have lives outside the secret service, people that rely on them. They know that the entire country depends on them without the country actually knowing of its dependency at times. Armed or unarmed they put themselves in harms way, over and over again, and remain unsung heroes.

Incremental Rescue - The third in the Incremental series sees our heroes on the streets of London before travelling around the Middle East protecting both a British delegation and themselves. Stand by to welcome back an old member of the team.

Reviews The Book of Notting Hill

Angela Welch
Amazon verified review

A GREAT READ. A must have book for anyone interested in Notting Hill. It brought back a lot of memories and I knew some of the people in the photos.

     

Mrs Lynda Slater
Amazon verified review

GREAT BOOK, I LIVED AND WENT TO SCHOOL IN THE AREA. Great book I lived in Moorehouse Road I really enjoyed seeing the roads plus my old school photos I really enjoyed this book.

    

H. A. Hewetson
Amazon Verified review

THE BOOK OF NOTTING HILL Absolutely wonderful reading. I grew up and went to school in the area and I am actually featured in the book! I also bought one for a birthday present for my best friend who is also in the book - great gift idea with lots of local and interesting knowledge and great memories for me! My 15 minutes of fame (at last).

     

Martin Botwright
Amazon verified review

5 STARS Excellent Book

     

Joanna Galloway
Amazon Review

Loved this book. Really interesting. I enjoyed especially reading the individuals memories. Packed with photographs. I'm not familiar with Notting Hill but I feel I know it now and have enjoyed an insight into it.

     

Reviews A Life on the Lane

Carol Payne
Amazon verified review

Perfect Holiday Read This book is a thoroughly good read. The story line is happy, sad, surprising and contains a pictorial history of the area which everyone can relate to. I would recommend this as a very enjoyable read.

     

Leigh Marshall
Amazon verified review

The Best Book You Will Read This Year.....!! What a fantastic read, the author truly made you feel like you were a part of the story. Would definitely recommend to everyone.

     

Michelle Wilton
E mail review

I really enjoyed it, what a lovely read. I started to read this book a bit at a time to start and then yesterday I didn't have a lot to do and was waiting for a parcel to be picked up so got into it .I just couldn't put it down ,I'm not a very fast reader and finished it about 11.30 last night .

     

Denise Mandry
Facebook review

Just Brilliant. It’s funny, sad, happy it’s just everything you want in a book

     

Claire Boughen
Facebook review

A life on the Lane By Melvin Wilkinson I loved the story telling, writing style of the author. A tale about childhood and teenage years during 60’s in Notting Hill. It had good pace, surprises and lots of emotion.

    

Penny Lane
Amazon verified review

Good Read Good read but I come from W10/11 so I know a lot of the places in the book so great memories

     

J P W Miller
Amazon verified review

Just as I remember it. Great read

     

Taryn Cobb
Amazon verified review

Great Book ! Was brought up in the area Some of the places mentioned brought back memories. Worth a read.

     

Dawn Bromilow
Personal recommendation

Well rounded characters, beautiful storyline. I’m looking forward to a sequel or the next in a series.

     

Dave Hucker
Facebook Book Review

Taken from a review of Untorn Tickets by Paul Burke. . Why let the facts get in the way of a good story. But along with Melvin Wilkinsons A Life On The Lane it is is worthy addition to the list of W10/11 fiction.

     

Dawn Manning
Facebook Review

I have just finished reading “A Life on the Lane” and I really enjoyed it. The authors love for the people of the area really shines through. I’m really waiting for the follow up.

     

Councillor George Jeans
Facebook Review

For my birthday I was given a book, A Life On The Lane by Melvin Wilkinson. Melvin lives in Mere. His book I hope sells well. I read his tale of life on Portobello Road W11 in years past, finding it a interesting and an easy read. I understand he has more books to follow, good luck to him.

     

Joanna Galloway
Amazon Verified Review

A real good read. An insight into everyday lives from the 60's onwards. Very easy to read, I got swept along with all the interesting characters and their stories. Emotional in places. Well worth purchasing. You won't be disappointed.

     

Reviews A Life on Westbourne Park Road

     

 A lovely follow up. I just couldn’t put it down. 

Norma Stoker: Facebook Review

Reviews Incremental Damage

Joanna Galloway
Amazon Review

A page turner. Once I started reading this book I found it difficult to put it down. From the start I was drawn into the story and all the characters, wanting to find out more. Well worth a read. Hoping there may be a follow up...

     

George Strange
Facebook Review

What a great story. The authors ability to bring alive is uncanny. Well worth reading and am awaiting a follow up.

     

Lynn
Personal recommendation

I thought this may be one for the boys but was pleased to find it was a generally good read. The characterisation is really good and its a gripping storyline because of the way everything is explained. Recommended for both male a female readers.

     

Reviews Incremental Challenge

Jo Galloway
Amazon Review

I wasn't disappointed with this sequel to "Incremental Damage" The story lines were exciting and gripping. Looking forward to another potetial follow up.

     

Linda
Facebook review

What a great follow up to the first book in the series. The author is growing this story to perfection and it makes you want to get the next book as soon as possible. They just keep getting better.

     

Reviews Incremental Rescue

What’s next

I have a number of projects in the pipeline but two of them are particularly exciting for me.
I have been extremely pleased by the way that a Life on the Lane has been received and have been asked on a number of occasions if there will be a follow up, well if the attention that it has received is to be an impetus I must go with it and see where we end up.
I don’t think I can take Malc any further because we followed his journey a long way along life’s highway but during and after writing “A Life on the Lane” it became clear that a number of the characters apart from Malc and Sue had stories to be told.
As I eluded to in the first chapter, Eric had history and perhaps his story needs telling and what about Freddy, Kit and Bobby or Maureen and Rita.
There seems a lot of opportunities to develop the book into a series.
It would be nice to hear your, the readers thoughts on these ideas and why not send me your ideas for a title, it wouldn’t be the first time a best seller has developed from a short sentence.

I was really pleased at how Incremental Damage turned out.
I have to say that the amount of research that needs to be undertaken is colossal and I wonder sometimes if I maybe being monitored after looking at websites about spies and military issues on a regular basis...!!!
I have also been pleased at how ”Incremental Challenge“ has turned out. The characters have turned out well and have been well received, so well that I have now started on the third book in the trilogy. Sorry there is no working title at present but you can find out here first.
On another subject our local pub The Butt of Sherry is up for sale but.... a hardy and determined bunch of locals are trying very hard to buy it and create a community pub and hub for Mere.
I am as my part writing a book to document it’s history and indeed the fight to save it, so don’t forget to look out for that one.
The Butt of Sherry has now been sold and will shortly be opening (as a pub). This has been a great result and I will still be publishing the book as soon as I am able.

The second book in the “Life on ...” series is also now in print and is focussed on Eric‘s life. The title is “A Life on Westbourne Park Road”


As I have said if you have any ideas or comments please use the contact page to get in touch. I promise I will always reply, so thank you in advance.

Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

Illustrations

  • A Life on the Lane

    The cover art for A Life on the Lane. March 2019

  • Malc from A Life on the Lane

    This vignette was used at the beginning of A Life on the Lane

  • Eric from A Life on the Lane

    This vignette was used at the end of A Life on the Lane

  • An early Malc

    This was an early sketch of Malc which was never used in the final edition of A Life on the Lane

  • Sabo

    Back on the front line?

  • Mark the Sniper

    Working sketches of the main character from Incremental Damage. Part spy, part soldier of fortune but always the professional.

  • Mark

    Mark begins to take shape in these sketches by Jamie Franklin

  • The Team

    Still awaiting one more member.!!!

  • Mark

    This is just the first sketch for the inside black and white of Incremental Challenge

Jamie Franklin

Jamie is an amazing artist and created the sketches for “A Life on the Lane”.
It’s wasn’t easy because he wanted to create a character for me not just a picture, however not only did he do it once but he did it twice with both Malc and Eric.
I have no idea how he did it but he managed to sketch the characters exactly how I had imagined them, I could not have been more happy with the results and even without seeing the colour of the cover he managed to draw them so they sat in perfect harmony with the blue we had chosen for the cover.

Jamie is not only an artist in the field of drawing but also in music and instrument making.
Jamie is an accomplished musician and tours regularly with his band “Trojan Beats”
Jamie plays Bass, guitar and drums... quite an all rounder really.

Contact Jamie at.       https://www.facebook.com/Franklinstienart/

In the Album (Jamie's Work) click on any image to enlarge.
Jamie Franklin image

Jamie's Work.

  • Alice

    A commission for a friend that wanted an old style cartoon Alice

  • Rabbit...!!!

  • Yoda

    Star Wars Jedi Master Yoda

  • Darth Vader

    May the force be with you.

  • Yoda

    Acrylic on canvas

  • The Amazing Spiderman

  • The Dark Crystal

  • Mohammad Ali

    At a time when he was still Cassius Clay

  • Pencil Sketch

  • A Beloved Pet

    Another commission, this of a Majestic German Shepherd

  • Digital Art

  • Digital Art

  • Boba Fett

    Another Star Wars character Bounty Hunter Boba Fett Comic Cover

  • Joker

    This really is Some Joker. One of Batman’s arch enemies

Teddy Wilkinson

  • A Life on Westbourne Park Road

  • Cover art by Teddy Wilkinson from the book “A Life on the Westbourne Park Road”

Gerry Binstead

Gerry is compiling a book of his personal experiences following his time in Coin Spain.
Gerry and his Wife Maureen had resettled to Spain in search of the idyllic lifestyle we all crave.
He lets us in on the good times, the bad times and the funny and sad times.
This book will be a must for anyone that has lived in, thought about living in or is thinking of living in Spain.



Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash

Gerry Binstead image

Contact

  • Mere, Wiltshire, UK
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