A LOCAL man has taken up a new career, at the impressive age of 84, and has realised a dream by bringing to life the Forest of the past.

Gerald Thornton, of Five Acres, has always worked as a carpenter in the construction industry, and says he has ‘realised a dream’ by writing and illustrating a book about his youth in the Forest.

Better Late than Never is autobiographical and illustrated with his own drawings and paintings.

It was launched on Saturday, October 27, at Christchurch Church, along with an exhibition of the artworks included in it.

Gerald’s son Paul, who lives in Christchurch and works as an architectural design and building surveyor, said: “The text describes Dad growing up in the local area during the 1930s and through to the early 1950s and it includes experiences during the Second World War.

“It serves as a record of local history from a personal perspective and, given the unique nature and history of the Forest, it should have a wider appeal.

“Dad’s pictures are based on his memories and include scenes such as coal miners returning from work or working at the coal face and families salvaging scraps of coal from spoil heaps during the war.

“And local characters such as Jimmy Shoe-Black, an itinerant gentleman who went house to house polishing shoes in return for a meal.”

Gerald lives with wife Noreen in a house he built himself on the site of the cottage he was born in. His father was a miner at Cannop Colliery and Gerald’s painting on the front cover of the book shows a scene from the pit.

“We all have dreams,” Gerald said. “Things we wish we’d done if only we had got around to it. Well fortunately I have been able to realise one of mine at last.

“Painting in oils, inspired by a degree of nostalgia, allows me to look back on my childhood with adult eyes.

“My paintings depict the cultural and industrial heritage of the area.

“They let me remember who I am and where I was born, growing up in a working-class mining community through the war and the years that followed.”