Mavis Dale lost her husband Frank just over a year ago and, having been married for 61 years, Mavis knew she had to find something to do to help fill the gap. Spurred on by a request from her teacher granddaughter Becky, Mavis rose to the challenge of writing a story about an animal and a spaceship! An unusual combination but one requested by Becky’s class. Mavis didn’t stop there. Inspired by village life and her family, Mavis created several short stories suitable for children. Advised by her neighbour Ian Johnston to contact the Peak Advertiser, Mavis became an author in print.
Mavis considers herself to be very much a Parwich person. Born in Brassington as Mavis Swindell, the family moved to Lenscliffe when Mavis was 3 years old. Mavis attended Parwich school and then passed her 11+ to attend the grammar school in Ashbourne. Until a bus was provided Mavis and others had to walk to Alsop Station to catch the train to Ashbourne to get to school, a mode of transport which Mavis enjoyed.
As a young woman Mavis worked in the offices at Ballidon which is where she met husband- to- be lorry driver Frank Dale. Mavis took the initiative, casually suggesting that Frank might like to come to Parwich Wakes. Frank turned up and that was the start of a courtship which culminated in marriage at Parwich Church in 1954. They started married life in Frank’s home county of Staffordshire before moving to South Wingfield and then fulfilled Mavis’s desire by returning to Parwich, the place she considered to be home, when they moved to Springfields in 1967 with their two sons Alan and Stephen.
Despite having a family to look after, and later grandchildren to spend time with, Mavis was kept busy with doing the paperwork for the haulage business. She is still involved in this side of the business, working alongside her daughter- in- law Caren.
Mavis likes to keep busy and we may well have the pleasure of reading more of her tales in the future.
Her booklet of delightful short stories can be bought from Mavis at £4.50, 50p of which will go to Children in Need. Copies are also available at Nethergreen Farm.
PARWICH.ORG 
Congratulations Mavis. My Dad, Arthur Massheder, worked in the garage at Ballidon Quarry. and lived in the cottage which is now surrounded by the block plant.No doubt he would have known you, and Frank.
indeed i knew your father very well he was Plumbly’s right hand man. Many’s the time when i was 16 ,when the phone rang and i had to run up to the garage to get Mr Plumbly and I used to dread the phone ringing when they were blasting because you still had to go out and get him.
Just seen your reply. Happy days, and many happy memories. It is many years since I lived at Ballidon, and a long time since I went back, but I still try to keep up to date via the Parwich site.