FORMER antiques dealer Sylvia Vetta’s second novel will feature her former workplace The Jam Factory.
Mrs Vetta, a leading fundraiser for the charity Kennington Overseas Aid, used to run an antiques business at the venue in Frideswide Square.
Ms Vetta’ s new novel, entitled Sculpting the Elephant, will be launched next month.
Several characters in the early part of the novel are inspired by people Mrs Vetta encountered during her years in the art and antiques trade.
The Jam Factory opposite Oxford station was named by Mrs Vetta and her business partner Gill Hedge in 1987 and the antiques business stayed open until 1998.
Mrs Vetta said: “The centre was popular with locals, tourists and collectors from around the UK. Among the customers were well-known writers and broadcasters. PD James and Brian Aldiss were two regular customers, with Desmond Morris, who collected Etruscan pottery.”
Broadcaster David Attenborough also visited. The book launch will take place on Saturday March 16, at 7pm at Kennington Village Centre.
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