Arthur Mee's dream of England - Maisie Robson

The Lady, 16 to 22 March 2004 Lindsay Fulcher reads up on how our history has been shaped Many people will have fond memories of The Children's Newspaper, The Children's Encyclopaedia and his dark blue covered volumes on each county, published by The King's England (which are being gradually re-issued). Now, the man behind them is the subject of a slim volume. In Arthur Mee's Dream of England (The King's England Press, GBP4.95), Maisie Robson writes about this very unusual journalist who held values that are extremely uncommon nowadays. Arthur Henry Mee (1875-1943) was a patriot, who was brought up immersed in the values of the British Empire and the Boy Scouts. He was a staunch campaigner for the Temperance Movement and was scathing about "the mania for football" as a spectator sport and "so-called sportsmen who are bought and sold like sheep" - would this appear in the newspapers today? England's dream and pleasant land Arthur Mee's Dream Of England Maisie Robson The King's England Press - GBP4.9;5 THOSE of us who can remember growing up in the 1950s - and many who may not will no doubt recognise the name of the famous author and founder of the first newspaper of its kind for the younger members of the community. The Children's Newspaper tempted thousands of young fans away from their weekly comics to learn about every- thing from the natural world to astronomy and a fail- sample of the wider issues affecting the nation and beyond. But Arthur Mee is also renowned for The Children's Encyclopaedia, his books about the regions and many other aspects of the British way of life. Now in a slim 72-page glossy-backed volume high- lighted by many charming illustrations, Wombwell writer Maisie Robson tells us something of the man him- self and his background from his birthplace in Stapleford near Nottingham through his formative years and later career. Maisie reveals not only an insight into the author's work but also something of her admiration for it in what is a handsome tribute to one of the great educators of his time.