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Welcome
Pamela Vass
Author, lover of real life mysteries and walking the West Country moors and coast. 
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REASON OR REBELLION?
Women's Fight for the Vote in Devon On August 4th, 1913, flames lit up the sky over a Devon mansion. The papers were filled with speculation that suffragettes were to blame. Truth or fiction? This fascinating story tells of Devon women holding MPs to account, joining mass rallies in London, defying the government, enduring imprisonment … and joining the biggest sleepover the region has ever known. REASON OR REBELLION? explores women's fight for the vote right across Devon, beginning with the campaigning that swept the region in the 1870s. Clovelly - Suffragettes ambush the Prime Minister Plymouth - Arson in Devonport Newton Abbot - Braving mob rule Lands End to London - Women walk for the vote Exeter - First prison hunger strikers SIdmouth - the Anti's fight back Torquay and Topsham - Women evade the census Ilfracombe - an island of militancy Lynton - Explosive events hit the headlines This exploration of the campaign for women's suffrage in North Devon is a well written and carefully researched account. Although the national picture has been explored before, by focusing down on a specific geographical area and one that was away from the main centers of population, a whole new perspective is given to this topic. The work of the activists in the south-west is clearly set against the wider national context. I thought that the case study, describing the unfolding involvement of Marie Newby, whose story is interspersed between the general narrative, was particularly effective. The fact that I read this in the same way as I would a novel is indicative of its readability. Pamela Vass' detailed investigation into the regional manifestation of a national phenomenon is a valuable and fascinating contribution to our understanding of the women's movement. Amazon 5 star Review for Breaking The Mould - The Suffragette Story in North Devon, now absorbed into Reason or Rebellion? 
It's all about the books ...
Fantastic book, one you can't put down once you've started. A very gripping story very well portrayed.
What a read! You certainly are a mistress of intrigue. The book is not only a brilliant statement about injustice, professional expectations, fostering, adoption and the impossibly difficult task social workers can have, it is full of skilfully crafted, insightful, 'pearls of wisdom' to do with how we all tick as human beings and in relationships. [Shadow Child] is fantastic. You have such a gift for touching people's emotions. Shadow Child ... is a fantastic read; emotional, gripping and intriguing to the last page. 
...I've just finished Seeds of Doubt; WONDERFUL. I loved it, it has all the right ingredients - drama, tension, intrigue, love, secrets, danger and truth. Thank you so much for a thought-provoking and thoroughly edge-of-the-seat read.
To build a conspiracy thriller on an event as well known as the Lynmouth flood disaster, and to make it both plausible and exciting, is no mean feat. The dialogue is well written and convincing and the plot is unpredictable with enough twists to keep any thriller reader happy. When I started reading this book, I was seduced by the magic of the prose. I was transported straight back to the early eighties and accompanied the heroine on the visits to Exmoor with enthusiasm. But then I got hooked into the story and the day trip became an all-nighter! Brilliantly written and researched. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a story based on seeds of truth. 
One of the original pioneers of the computer was born over 200 years ago in Great Torrington in the West of England. His name was Thomas Fowler.
This is a story of stunning resilience and ingenuity in the face of professional prejudice, betrayal and heart-breaking twists of fate. It is a story of an invention destined to re-write the history of computing. Winner of the Devon History Society W.G.Hoskins Prize 2016 Computers might have changed history and our world almost a century sooner had the ideas of Fowler been understood and adopted by Babbage. Dr Ralph Merkle, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing, California. The author Pamela Vass has done extensive research in many disciplines for this book, and she makes it all very readable and understandable. And the story she has to tell is a fascinating one indeed ... Over and over again I marvel at the amount of research that must have gone into just a few paragraphs. I highly recommend this book. Amazon 5 star review. 
A fascinating, candid and tremendously moving reflection of a life and times slowly receding into history.
In My Own Words evolved out of times shared in front of Johnny’s coal fire when his recollections were freely given and much enjoyed. Then one day he asked if I would write his story. It has been a pleasure and a privilege; one he would be happy to know is being shared by others. Pamela, I have just read a book purchased from you some years ago while on holiday about John Devereux (In My Own Words). I found the book difficult to put down although quite harrowing at times especially when Irene passed away after her own personal battle with cancer. Thank you for taking the time to put into words John's life story, one which I found truly fascinating. Gary Roden. 
CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT
This inspirational book offers a simple-to-follow course enabling anyone suffering from a chronic illness to make a difference to their lives right now. I felt I must tell you how helpful I am finding your book on CFS/ME. I've been so grateful for it, it's like my "bible!" I’m planning on taking it on holiday with me … makes me feel secure having all the advice with me. One thing I especially like is that the book is very user-friendly, the way it's laid out, summaries etc. The bold letters are also extremely useful and the type of spine makes it easy to turn over, keep your place. Thank you very much, Pamela. |
Talks Programme
I am available for talks and presentations, either in person in the south west or by Zoom UK wide. For more information please see the 'About' page on this site. 2025 May 24th, 25th, 26th Launceston Vintage Rally Book signing and sales June 1st Dartington Makers Market Book signing and sales 9th Modbury History Society Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon 16th The Wharf, Tavistock The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler 24th Ladies Chatterbox Club Kernow to the Crystal Palace. The Remarkable Ramblings of a Cornish Fishwife July 10th Dart Vale U3A Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon 14th Madron W.I. Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West. August 1st-3rd Torbay Steam Fair Book signing and sales 21st Chagford Show. Book Signing and Sales 27th Otter Vale Probus Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon September 3rd Lerryn W.I. The Lynmouth Floods: Act of God or Act of Man? 9th Newquay U3A Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West. 22nd Gunnislake U3A Kernow to the Crystal Palace. The Remarkable Ramblings of a Cornish Fishwife 25th Altarnun Local History Society The Lynmouth Floods: Act of God or Act of Man? 30th Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, Plymouth Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon October 13th Coventry Family History Society, Zoom talk The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler 20th Rame History Group Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West 21st Fowey Ladies Lunch Club Topic TBC 30th Tavistock Ladies Luncheon Club Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon November 13th Saltash U3A Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West 15th Plymouth Guildhall Christmas Show Book Signing and Sales December 7th Tavistock Christmas Festival Book Signing and Sales 2026 January 14th Plymouth Proprietory Library Kernow to the Crystal Palace. The Remarkable Ramblings of a Cornish Fishwife February 19th Newton & Noss W.I. Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in the South West April 15th Buckland Brewer History Zoom Kernow to the Crystal Palace. The Remarkable Ramblings of a Cornish Fishwife July 21st Down Thomas W.I. Reason or Rebellion? The Suffragette Story in Devon September 28th St Tudy History Society Kernow to the Crystal Palace. The Remarkable Ramblings of a Cornish Fishwife October 11th Devon Family History Society Reason or Rebellion? Women's fight for the Vote in Devon 2027 July 21st Honiton U3A The Power of Three: The Story of Thomas Fowler |