A Netherfield author who has penned a successful children’s book says he has plans for 40 more stories featuring the popular characters he recently created.
Chris Hayward is a published author and artist from Netherfield and recently put pen to paper to create Sir Lankylot and Clip Clop Bill – a children’s book that’s being enjoyed by youngsters in the local community.
Our Vibe reporter Justin Doddy caught up with the Netherfield author to learn more about his plans for the future and his long association with the town…
Chris was born in a house on Manvers Street, Netherfield seventy years ago this week and still resides in the area.
Leaving school at 15 and training as a joiner, Chris plied his trade in double glazing before becoming self employed.
49 years later, at the age of 64, Chris retired from work and his creative juices started to flow. His partner bought him a set of paints and he took to YouTube to learn how to paint.
In the last five years Chris has sold a number of paintings and his home now displays his beautiful work.
He also started writing poetry and penned ‘Jackie Bell’, a poem about growing up in Netherfield, a common topic in his writings.
It was around this time that Chris was watching AFC Bournemouth on television. Chris thought the commentator was referring to Bournemouth player, Dominic Solanke as Dominic ‘Sir Lanky’ and Sir Lankylot, the loveable clumsy knight was born.
Chris got to work creating a children’s rhyming book aimed at five to nine-year olds. Once completed, a friend of the family, Kelly Barker-Evans completed the artwork for the book.
Six months later, Chris had his story and artwork ready so at the age of 69, Chris self-published his very first book with Amazon.
Chris and Kelly were to be seen in the libraries around Gedling last year, carrying out book readings to children.
Gedling Eye were privileged to have a sneak peak at his latest stories, there are over forty in the pipeline relating to Sir Lankylot and other characters in the clumsy knight’s life such as ‘Fritz the Dragon’.
We can’t wait to see what other creations Chris comes up with next and he is definitely proof that age is just a number.
You can get your hands on a copy of Sir Lankylot & Clip Clop Bill on Amazon or locally at The Connect Cafe in Netherfield.
Christopher’s Jackie Bell poem…
