Author Q&A: Dell Winslade

A lot of people from Liverpool will recognise the Royal Hotel (from historical photographs) that once stood outside Lime Street railway station. 

But beyond recognising the building, there’s not much that’s known about it aside from how it became a pub and was demolished in the 1960s.

The Royal Hotel was once owned by the Winslade hotelier family during the Victorian and Edwardian era until the 1930s.

We caught up with Dell Winslade for a heart-warming chat about his family’s legacy and how the book came to be. 

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Can you tell us how the book came about? What inspired it?

Mum (Mabel Doreen) always wanted to write a story about her family and having gone back ‘home’ (Liverpool) to show me and my sister Amanda where she lived, her school and the church where she married Dad, visiting the family grave and showing us where The Royal used to be in Lime Street it motivated her to start her story.

How long did the research take? 

The research itself took a couple of years when she made trips to the Liverpool Central Library. The family knowledge Mum already had so she wanted to know more about the history of WW1 and how it affected the city and its people.

Did your Mum ever tell you stories from her childhood? 

Yes, Mum did often tell stories. One in particular where there was an air raid during WW2 and Mum and her mum, Mabel, had to go into the shelter and Mum had a Mickey Mouse gas mask. Mum’s father, Joseph was fighting in the war. Mum often told me and Amanda about her school friend’s and how she was in the netball team at school. Mum often went to Wales for holidays with her mum just like Mabel did when she was a child which is also mentioned in the book.

How did your family go from a home in Liverpool to now being based in Southampton?

Bill and his son Claude worked on board the Queen Mary when Cunard was based in Liverpool. When the company moved to Southampton, they wanted to keep their jobs on the ship; that is why they moved to Southampton.

Do you or Amanda remember anyone mentioned in the book? What were they like?

Both Amanda and I remember Mabel (Nan) mostly as she lived with us after Mum was widowed. Mabel looked after us when Mum went out to work. We also remember Bill and Flossie. We often had tea with them. Amanda vaguely remembers Fred as he was her Godfather; sadly, he passed away when she was very young. Mabel was a loving Nan and very supportive to our Mum. Bill and Flossie were also supportive of us and they were a great help to Mum. Bill would often tell Mum how polite and well-mannered Amanda and I were!

What inspired you to help with the book project?

As a child I used to write stories as a hobby. Mum always said I had a great imagination and that I should use it. As an adult I attended a writing course and offered to help Mum with her book. The trips to Liverpool inspired me too and I became more interested in the history of our family.  

Sadly your Mum passed away before she could publish her book. Do you think your Mum would have been proud of how the book has turned out?  

Yes absolutely. When I started helping Mum with the book, she was so pleased and it also motivated her to complete it. When we lost Mum, I was determined to finish what she had started and I know she would be so pleased and proud that her dream to have it published has come true.

Tell us a little about yourself. What is your favourite bookshop? 

Has to be Waterstones.

What book are you reading currently? 

Believe it or not a children’s book, written by David Walliams as I am currently writing a children’s book of my own and his books gave me inspiration.

What pairs well with a good book on a chilly winters day - tea or coffee? 

Both are good (with biscuits)

And finally, in your own words, why should people read The Royal Hotel? 

People would like it as it’s to do with the history of Liverpool and it’s the story of family life during that era. It’s a combination of history, nostalgia, a touch of humour and, of course, every word of it is true. Also, the people of Liverpool can relate to it as it’s based on their city with some landmarks that still stand today.

Thanks Dell for taking part in this author Q&A and answering our questions.

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To discover more about the Winslade family, and what life was like for everyone living in 1911, THE ROYAL HOTEL is available to buy in your local bookshop and in our online store.