Woman, 103, publishes first book alongside podcasts

A 103-year-old woman has published her first book, with her writings reaching new audiences after being turned into podcasts.

Marjorie Mitchell, from Coleford, Gloucestershire has released a collection of 52 short reflections she describes as "meditations", written during and after the Covid pandemic.

The former preacher at Coleford Baptist Church began writing the short pieces during lockdown, inspired by the contrast between the natural world and the global crisis unfolding around her.

She said she was inspired by "the beauty of nature in contrast with the what was going on in the world".

Mitchell, who first discovered her Christian faith as a 14-year-old in 1937, later became a preacher at her local church – a role she continued until the age of 100.

She wrote the first of her meditations while sitting in her garden during the pandemic.

"I thought the beauty of nature is not affected, it goes on as it would anyway.

"The words just came to me; words that might be an encouragement to people not to lose hope."

Since then, she has written more than 500 reflections, with over 100 also recorded as podcasts to reach a wider audience.

Her book brings together 52 of them, with titles including Dare to Dream and The Importance of Small Things.

Many of the pieces focus on everyday moments and observations, often rooted in her Christian faith.

She has wryly pointed out that those who claim they are not religious often admit to being moved 'spiritually' by the beauty of the natural world.

"It always starts with something that grabs me," said Mitchell.

"It might be just the words, might be a phrase, might be even something I've seen on the television.

"And I know instantly that God has something to say about this."

Her work has been supported by the current pastor of Coleford Baptist Church, Sam Davis, who helped bring the book to publication.

"If I could write sermons half as good as Marjorie I'd be very lucky. She's phenomenal," said Sam.

"Her sermons have always been relevant. They've always spoken to me in a way that I could relate to despite the age gap."

Despite her age, Mitchell continues to write, although less frequently than during lockdown.

Having once written daily, she now produces a new meditation around once every two weeks while spending time with family and knitting.

However, with a large backlog of work, there could be more to come.

With more than 500 meditations already written, she has enough material for nine future books.

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