THERE was a buzz at Sufton Court on October 22 at the book launch of Judith Hereford's first novel, Calling Time. The rooms of the house were soon alive with chatter as friends queued to buy books and have them signed by the author.

The story covers the very topical subject of growing old and how people care for their relatives.

Part one follows two girls, Angela and Kristine, who work in an old peoples' home in New Zealand in the 1950s where the care is often frightening and part two catches up with them 45 years later, Angela still in New Zealand and Kristine now in the UK. The book ponders their fate when they themselves are growing old.

Judith Hereford has had a very varied life. She was born in New Zealand and trained as a nurse before travelling the world then returning to NZ to join the Army. She met her husband Major James Hereford in Malaysia before settling in the UK over 40 years ago.

Copies of Calling Time can be purchased from Ledbury Books and Maps, Ledbury High Street, Rossiters Books in Ross–on-Wye, or direct from troubador.co.uk