Bradford author inspired by drives with her husband (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford author inspired by drives with her husband

10:22am Monday 8th February 2010 in

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Exasperating journeys between Bradford and Hertfordshire were part of the regular grind for finance broker Keith Madeley – but years later they could prove to be the route to success.

For Christine Madeley, who often accompanied her husband on those business trips, has achieved her dream of publishing a children’s book inspired by traffic cones.

‘The Cones. The Beginning’ is the first of a series of stories featuring cone characters which are aimed at children between four and eight.

The cones come to life when no-one is watching them and the books will chart the cones’ adventures.

At the launch Christine, whose Bradford-born husband Keith is better known as ‘Mr Yorkshire’ for his role as chairman of the Yorkshire Society, recalled the long drives between Bradford and Hertfordshire which sparked the idea.

She said: “Sitting in traffic jams on cone-strewn motorways turned out not to be time wasted.

“Staring at the lines of cones planted a seed and I developed the idea of turning cones into children’s characters.”

It is an idea that has taken 15 years to realise. Once Keith and Christine linked up with Yorkshire-based children’s publisher Colour Heroes, the project took off with the first book being published within two months.

Among guests at the launch in Leeds were two former teachers from Sandy Lane First School, Bradford, which Christine visited in 1996 to read her stories.

She is hoping former Sandy Lane pupils, now possibly parents themselves, will get in touch to receive a signed copy of the book.

In 1996 the T&A featured a picture of pupils Joanna Feasby, Jessica Wilkinson, Rachel Bowyer, Sophie Ormondroyd, Sophie Mitchell, Andrew Higgins, Richard Gott and Sam Taylor.

Mrs Madeley, whose two grandchildren are The Cones biggest fans, said: “It’s not just a story or for reading at bed. I’m hoping children will learn something for life and that The Cones’ adventures will start off discussions.”

In her books the cone characters are fascinated by human behaviour and their adventures teach important lessons about staying safe.

The Madeleys are hoping Waterstones and Tesco will sell the books but The Cones. The Beginning can be bought from colourheroes. com.

The publishers have offered to refund £1 of the purchase to schools and charities who bulk order.