Madge Addy .... spy .... nurse and hairdresser ... last night at Chorlton Libray in the company of Chris Hall

 So, last night 70 people gathered in the Library to hear Chris Hall talk about his new book on Madge Addy.

She was a remarkable woman who served as a nurse on the Repbulican side in the Spanish Civil War, went on to be an Allied spy in occuppied France during the Second World War, and for a brief time worked in Chorlton at 34 Manchester Road.

Chris has a light engaging style of public speaking, coupled with a deep knowledge of Madge and a deep respect for the woman.

Writing the book was not without its problems, especially in the early stages when information on Mage's life was sparce.

But sheer solid and painstaking research coupled with a few lucky breaks gave the background, and the result is an excellent biography which places her in the context of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent conflict with an added bonus of details of the lives and contributions of other woman, some of who have also been ignored by history.

The talk was part of this years Chorlton Book Festival**

Chris tells me that there will be other speaking engagements, so if you missed last night I recommend you look out for when Madge and Chris come together again.

And finally just a thanks to the Library staff, and the organisers and Friends of the Book Festival for making the night go so smoothly.

Pictures, from the collections of Chris Hall and Andrew Simpson

*The book is published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Lucy May, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk, Email: promotions@pen-and-sword.co.uk and cost £25. And is also available from Chorlton Bookshop.

**Chorlton Book Festival September 17th-25th, https://www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk/