Second World War novel on legacy of poppy factory

Second World War Novel on Legacy of Poppy Factory

Henley-based author Kirsten Hesketh, 62, who lives on Greys Hill, has written a novel about the lives of three young women during the Second World War. The book, titled The Poppy Girls, was published by Penguin under her pen name Kirsty Dougal.

Community Updates

Education

Furze Platt Infant School, Oaken Grove, Maidenhead SL6 6HQ — three classes: Dragonfly (Miss Midaoui, Mrs Lampton).
Alwyn Infant & Nursery School, Mulberry Walk, Maidenhead SL6 5EU — two classes: Ash (Mrs McKeown, Mrs Clarke).
Braywick Court School, Hibbert Road, Maidenhead SL6 1UU — one class: Maple (Mrs McNeaney, Mrs Reading).
St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PX — two classes: Otters (Ms Knapper, Mrs Tang, Miss Grant, Mrs Fretwell).

Local Developments

Centrica is relocating from its Maidenhead Road site. There are also new plans for a self-build home on land between Green View, Holyport Street, and Glenside on Holyport Road. Previous housing applications for this site were unsuccessful.

Remembrance and Community Projects

The community marked Remembrance with knitted poppy decorations placed atop a postbox on Bray High Street and a display in the park on Bray Road, Bray.

Pinder Hall in Cookham, located at 2 Lower Road, has launched a £50,000 fundraising campaign to finance essential repairs, including roof restoration.

Local Heritage

Historical photos from The Maidenhead Advertiser 150th Anniversary book titled “Days Gone By” are now available for purchase.

“The Poppy Girls revisits the courage and resilience of women whose lives were forever changed by war.”

Author’s Resume

Kirsten Hesketh’s new novel, set amid the challenges of wartime Britain, intertwines history, memory, and feminine strength through three intertwined stories.

Henley Standard — 2025-11-06