AN Oliver’s Battery resident has published his first book at the age of 82.

Lou Lewis’s book The Station Road Sewing Circle, published by Welsh publisher Cambria Publishing, is a collection of short stories involving the titular group as they secretly investigate various criminal activities in Pembroke.

Lou, who moved to Winchester 15 years ago, explained: “I didn’t retire from work until I was 76 – I did various jobs and I didn’t retire – and then I decided to write a novel about my other hobby, ancient Egypt, and I couldn’t interest any agents in that.

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“So I then decided, at the end of lockdown, to start writing a series of short stories about my home town Pembroke in west Wales.

"And the sewing circle ladies, there are 13 of them, they represent quite a useful core of the ladies that I knew when I was in the town. So, the places in the town are still there, the characters are reflective of some years ago, but of course the names and events have changed somewhat.”

Lou continued: “It’s been quite a novel event for me, and of course I’ve been quite busy preparing the book. I had the cover designed by a Welsh artist – it represents the main street in the 1950’s when the book is placed, and she’s represented it very well.

“The whole thing, if you like, is a Welsh production – the publisher, the cover artist and my good self. And the best part about it all, of course, was seeing the book as a real-life book in front of me, that was an achievement.”

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Lou is now focusing on writing a follow-up. 

He said: “It’s really taken off. I’ve never really retired, I’ve always had things on the go, so I’ve just got a new career at the age of 82.

“I’m an Insulin-controlled diabetic and I’ve been on Insulin for 50 years, and I’ve been awarded a medal by The British Diabetic Society.

“So, 2023 has almost been a brand-new chapter for all of us. And I should add that my wife (Gloria) of 58 years, she has always supported me and all that I’ve done. In particular she has assisted me in not letting diabetes get in the way of what I’ve wanted to do.”

The Station Road Sewing Circle is currently available for purchase on Amazon.