Journeys & Jigsaws - Chapter 1, Part 1

15/02/2023 4 min
Journeys & Jigsaws - Chapter 1, Part 1

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Episode Synopsis


Prior’s Hill in the early 1980’s seems like a tranquil rural idyll, with its picture postcard cottages, small village school and church. James Young, the new head teacher of the village primary school, soon discovers that beneath the surface there are some difficult challenges to overcome. He must contend with demanding parents and local politics, as well as the steep learning curve that comes with his new position. While struggling to hold together his team of teachers and deal with various tasks that aren’t in his official job description, James must also find the time and energy to maintain his relationship with his beloved partner. Ultimately he is faced with the most difficult questions: Can he live up to everything the school and community expect of him? Can he deal with the tragedy that is thrown at him just when everything seems to be working so well? What steps will he take to resolve all these challenges?In an original and thought-provoking novel, Barrie Mahoney paints a vivid picture of the complexities of life in a small English village, as well as providing an insight into the challenges faced by gay, professional men at a time when prejudice and the threat of AIDS loomed large.© Barrie Mahoney 2023This article is part of the 'Prior's Hill Chronicles series' by Barrie Mahoney. You can find out more about the author and this book by clicking here