- Home
- > News & Events
- > News & Updates
- > St Helena benefits from poet
News
St Helena benefits from poet
04 May 2010
A Great-Grandad aged 95 has raised money for charity by selling books of his poems.
Retired engineer and carpenter Arthur Harman only began to write verse when he was 74, but has gone on to see his work published in several anthologies.
Mr. Harman, of Abbot’s Road, Colchester, has collated the poems in a book and has sold copies at £3 each – generating £180 in just a few months for Colchester’s St Helena Hospice.
His achievement is all the more remarkable because he did not have written copies of all his poems and was unable to set them down as his eyes are failing.
Luckily, he had committed them to memory and recited them for his granddaughter to transcribe.
The former Fordham resident, who grew up in Wormingford, said: “I remember at a party a few years ago, people were amazed because I managed to recite 84 verses from memory. I don’t know how I do it – it’s just a knack I have.”
The poems tackle everyday subjects such as littering and helping others, and usually form in Mr Harman’s head as he ponders on life. The books are available to buy by calling him on 01206 870773.
Gazette Tues April 27 2010
