A Visit to Fairyland: Shirley Barber and the romanticisation of the English countryside
Daydreams of glittering wings and the laughter of pixies. From a Visit to Fairyland by Shirley Barber
May 9, 2021
I was very young when I first encountered the work of Shirley Barber, prolific writer and artist of children’s books. The memories have largely been lost to time and I remember only snatches: being drawn into the orbit of a pink and purple hardback cover, tugging on my Mum’s jacket and traipsing through the parking lot on short, stubby legs, my new prized possession tucked proudly under my little arms.
Expect a much tidier and easier to navigate bargain-hunting grounds when the Incredable Tip Shop reopens in Mackay this weekend.
Managing director Bernie Scott said they had hoped to open on Thursday but staff shortages and wet weather had delayed best-laid plans.
âWe have a large amount of work still to be done,â Mr Scott said.
âWe basically restored (the shop) to the original layout to 2008.
âItâs wider aisles to enable us to move goods in and to enable people to move around and maintain the social distancing.â
âAnd to basically keep all the material from falling off the shelves and into the walking areas.â