A LOCAL author has reflected on his childhood in Ross-on-Wye for his latest book – ‘The Strange Tale of Mary Smith’.

Graham Phipps explains that when he was aged about ten his father got a promotion to the Lloyds Bank in Ross, but his parents found it difficult to purchase a suitable house in the town.

He said the family moved into a boarding house in New Street before moving into a property in Gloucester Road before finally settling in a house off the Ledbury Road.

Graham said: “In those days we were given more freedom in our spare time, and I found myself miles from home sometimes with groups of friends.

“My one passion at the time was fishing and I was often found on the banks of the Wye near to the Rowing Club, fishing at the mouth of the Rudhall Brook, which runs into the Wye.

“When the river was in floods the fish seemed to congregate up the brook and we caught dace, and chub in abundance, with the occasional trout thrown in. All of which would be returned to the river safely.

“It was here that I lent on my experiences when writing my book, ‘The Strange Tale of Mary Smith’ where the main male character spent much time on his local riverbank.

“One day I was fishing along Metcalfe Close when I saw a lorry arrive and unload panels and other parts for two prefabs.

“I was amazed at how quickly the parts were put together. The prefabs still stand these days.”

Graham, after he had been made redundant from an engineering firm, became a co-ordinator for the Ross and Ledbury areas, supporting vulnerable people, has now became an author in retirement.

In the book it is said that dreams come easily to Mary Smith a Herefordshire schoolgirl, but they centre exclusively around the relationship of Rebecca, an enslaved black girl, and Jude the plantation owner’s son.

The dreams are not what they seem, and certain characters in them remind Mary of people, in the here and now.

However, an elderly neighbour somehow seems to know of Mary’s dreams, and an African word used to keep predators at bay still has a powerful influence more than 150 years later.

The story alternates between Mary and Laurie, her father, who muddles his way through life, trying to appease his family and his clients following a promotion at work. Meanwhile the law that binds people together unfolds imperceptibly and ultimately has its day.

This is Graham’s second book. Three years ago he wrote, ‘Apparently I’m Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea ‘ about the memoirs of a bemused support worker.

Altogether, it was a humorous insight into working with various groups of people who briefly considered the advice given to them, but more often than not, they chose to ignore it completely.

He reflects on numerous clients who often downsized from their properties, but were not willing to reduce the amount of furniture and were filed as ‘more thinking required’.