Herts &amp; Beds


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="685" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-head-shot-colour-©-jenner-Mackay-James-Photography-1000x685.jpg" alt="Kathleen Whyman author" class="wp-image-85002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-head-shot-colour-©-jenner-Mackay-James-Photography-1000x685.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-head-shot-colour-©-jenner-Mackay-James-Photography-800x548.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-head-shot-colour-©-jenner-Mackay-James-Photography.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: © Jenner Mackay-James</figcaption></figure>



<p>Kathleen writes comedy fiction about the never-ending juggle of work, childcare and life, and her books have been shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize. She lives with her husband and two teenage daughters. We caught up with her about where she likes to spend her elusive free time locally, ahead of the launch of her new book, <em>Has Anyone Seen My Husband?</em> on <strong>17 July. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-has-hitchin-always-been-home"><strong>Has Hitchin always been home? </strong></h2>



<p>My family moved to Hitchin when I was seven, so I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life. Sometimes I feel embarrassed by that, as though I haven’t been adventurous enough to try somewhere else, but I’ve never had a reason to leave! It&#8217;s such a great location – close to London, Cambridge and the countryside and is a beautiful market town with character, a great atmosphere, fantastic independent shops and plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars, which is handy, as eating and drinking are my main hobbies!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-find-inspiration-for-your-books"><strong>Where do you find inspiration for your books?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-writers-group-hermitage-bar-1000x667.jpg" alt="Kathleen Whyman Writers' Group Hermitage bar" class="wp-image-85006" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-writers-group-hermitage-bar-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-writers-group-hermitage-bar-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-writers-group-hermitage-bar.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kathleen and her Writers&#8217; Room Group</figcaption></figure>



<p>People watching/eavesdropping is a great way to get ideas &#8211; many of us forget other people can see and hear us when we’re on the phone, deep in conversation, or having our patience tested to the max by a bored child (I’m guilty of this too). My books include humorous conflicts between couples about the everyday drudgery: whose turn it is to get up with the kids, who used up the milk, who misplaced the pound coin for the shopping trolley, you know the kind of thing. <a href="https://www.hermitagerd.co.uk/coffee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hermitage Rd Coffee and Bagel Bar</a> is a great place to pitch up and observe people in their natural habitat. Although, if you come across a scene in one of my books that seems familiar, it’s pure coincidence. Honest! I’m also part of a Writers’ Room group. Once a month we hire one of the Hermitage’s private rooms and meet up to write together. Being with this group of talented, fun, warm writers is the best inspiration I could ask for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-s-the-best-place-to-start-the-day"><strong>Where’s the best place to start the day?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Groundworks-Hitchin-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Groundworks Hitchin" class="wp-image-85008" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Groundworks-Hitchin-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Groundworks-Hitchin-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Groundworks-Hitchin.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We really are spoilt for choice here. <a href="https://www.coffeelab.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hitchin Coffee Lab </a>on Sun Street does amazing coffee and I regularly meet my friend and fellow author, Zoë Folbigg,  for brunch at <a href="https://www.thegroundworks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Groundworks</a> on Churchyard. We justify taking time out of our working day because we’re there to talk about our writing – brainstorming ideas, publishing updates, swapping research tips, that kind of thing. Talking about our favourite Taylor Swift track and how hot Idris Elba, Antonio Banderas and Chris Hemsworth are is <em>very</em> essential book research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-write-at-home-or-out-and-about"><strong>Where do you write – at home or out and about?</strong></h2>



<p>At home there’s never-ending laundry, housework, life admin, and taking in deliveries for my family and half the street. Some days I see the courier more than my husband! To avoid these distractions, I go and write in Hitchin Library. It&#8217;s an amazing resource, full of wonderful staff, quiet space and, of course, books &#8211; although I have to be very disciplined not to spend the whole time browsing the shelves! Libraries are an endangered species and if we don’t use them, we’ll lose them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-go-for-some-me-time"><strong>Where do you go for some ‘me time’?</strong></h2>



<p>My favourite indulgence is getting my hair done. I do quite a few author events now and feel more confident and better equipped for public speaking when my hair’s been professionally styled. I go to <a href="https://foundlove.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foundlove</a> on Bucklersbury for a guaranteed fantastic experience. Matt and his team are so welcoming and friendly. The salon is luxurious – the décor, the products, the elevated footrests (they really have thought of everything). As well as feeling valued, understood and pampered, they’ve given me the best haircuts I’ve ever had. I regularly get compliments about my hair – even when I’ve styled it myself, which is saying something!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-get-some-retail-therapy"><strong>Where do you get some retail therapy?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Treat-Yo-Self-kathleen-whyman-1000x750.jpeg" alt="Kathleen Whyman author outside Treat yo Self gift shop hitchin" class="wp-image-85005" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Treat-Yo-Self-kathleen-whyman-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Treat-Yo-Self-kathleen-whyman-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Treat-Yo-Self-kathleen-whyman.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My go-to shop for clothes is <a href="https://www.rubarb.online/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rubarb</a> in Churchyard. You can get something there for every occasion, be it a casual barbecue, a night out or a wedding.  My new book, <em>Has Anyone Seen My Husband?</em>, has a hot pink cover and I asked the owner, Pooja, if she had anything that would match. She casually handed me the most amazing, hot pink, net skirt. It was as though she’d known and got it in especially! For gifts it has to be <a href="https://www.treatyoselfgifts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treat Yo’Self</a> in the Old Arcade. Owner, Jo, sources original pieces from independent suppliers and supports local businesses too. And, of course, being an author, I love book shops. I’ve done quite a few events at <a href="https://www.davids-bookshops.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David’s Bookshop</a> in Letchworth and also love <a href="https://nextpagebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Next Page Books</a> on Queen Street &#8211; an independent children’s bookshop specialising in inclusion and neurodiversity, which is an incredible resource for the town. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-local-spot-for-a-family-day-out"><strong>Best local spot for a family day out?</strong></h2>



<p>When my daughters were little, <a href="https://standalonefarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Standalone Farm</a> in Letchworth was a firm favourite. We went so often, not only did we know the animals’ names, they probably knew ours. The tractor ride was a particular highlight – the bumpier the better. Although I went on when heavily pregnant and my friend was petrified I was going to go into labour. I camped out in the café on future rides until my second daughter was safely born –&nbsp;in the hospital, not a field!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-s-good-for-a-quick-and-tasty-lunch-with-friends"><strong>Where’s good for a quick and tasty lunch with friends?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Kathleen Whyman eating lunch outdoors at Nourish Letchworth" class="wp-image-85007" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Kathleen-Whyman-nourish-lunch.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.nourishcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nourish Café</a> at The Sadie Centre in Letchworth road is a-maze-ing! It’s vegetarian and everything on the menu is so delicious that I could happily go every day. The Sunday roasts are incredible, too. In the summer it’s lovely to sit outside and, on the other 363 days of the year, it’s bright and cosy inside. I regularly go for lunch with my friend Sarah Tomlin, who runs <a href="https://www.iheartnutrition.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Heart Nutrition</a>, and feel very virtuous for eating a meal that a qualified nutritionist approves of.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-s-your-go-to-for-a-date-night-dinner"><strong>Where’s your go-to for a date-night dinner?</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.hermitagerd.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant</a> is my favourite place in Hitchin, be it for a cocktail, bar snack or meal. The décor, ambience, exceptionally cooked and presented food and friendly staff make for a very special night out. There’s now an oyster and Champagne bar downstairs too, which I’ve been lucky enough to visit a couple of times on special occasions. I’m not sophisticated enough to like oysters, but everyone who’s had them raves about them. I’m not sophisticated enough to drink Champagne either, but I manage to overcome my imposter syndrome and indulge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-if-you-could-escape-for-a-night-away-locally"><strong>… And if you could escape for a night away, locally?</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://farmhouseatredcoats.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Farmhouse at Redcoats</a> is, I’ve heard, a wonderful place to visit. The closest I’ve got to an overnight stay is stroking the screen when looking at the website, but I hope very much to experience it one day. My 20th wedding anniversary is coming up, so you never know, it might happen soon. (Do you think that’s a big enough hint for my husband?!)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-s-good-for-a-spot-of-culture"><strong>Where’s good for a spot of culture?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-1000x667.jpg" alt="Broadway cinema" class="wp-image-79550" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Broadway-cinema.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Art Deco <a href="https://www.broadway-letchworth.com/cinema/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadway Cinema</a> in Letchworth is still as popular for a family outing now as it was when my daughters were toddlers, although we’ve progressed from Kids&#8217; Club to evening outings. As well as all the latest films, they show National Theatre Live screenings, have a film club, mystery movie nights and live events – guest speakers, comedy nights, tribute bands and local productions. There’s something for everyone, including a new luxury screen with plush armchairs and tables for your drinks and snacks. I never want to leave!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-live-music-venue">Favourite live music venue? </h2>



<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thevichitchin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Victoria</a> on Ickleford Road is a proper, good old-fashioned pub, with welcoming staff who have worked there for years – this says a lot about a place. It has a great garden, frozen cocktails, a great menu and sometimes live music. The bands are always fab, but there’s one which is particularly good – Zeroes. They’re a local indie and rock covers band and whenever they play, they get everyone up dancing. I admit to being a bit biased here as my husband’s the guitarist!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-great-local-pub-for-a-chilled-out-sunday"><strong>Great local pub for a chilled out Sunday?</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://highlanderhitchin.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Highlander</a> does an amazing Sunday lunch. Best of all, they do a crumble too, which is my all-time favourite dessert! Owners, Charlotte and Eric, have done a brilliant job of combining traditional English fare with a French touch. It&#8217;s in a beautiful 300-year-old building with exposed beams and little alcoves. There’s a great outdoor area too – covered because, let’s face it, this is England and you never know when it’s going to rain.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="652" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote--652x1000.jpg" alt="Has anyone seen my husband? by Kathleen Whyman book cover" class="wp-image-85004" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote--652x1000.jpg 652w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote--521x800.jpg 521w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote--1001x1536.jpg 1001w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote--1334x2048.jpg 1334w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Final-Cover_with-roundel-and-quote-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Kathleen&#8217;s new book, <em>Has Anyone Seen My Husband?</em> is out on 17 July and available to <a href="https://www.kathleenwhyman.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-order here</a>. </strong></p>



<p><strong>PLUS you could win one of four copies, and one lucky winner could nab a copy of this book AND one of Kathleen&#8217;s other brilliant books, <em>Would You Ask My Husband That?</em>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C89JwQQow_D/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Head over to our Instagram to enter.</a></strong></p>


My favourite places: Author, Kathleen Whyman

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