Shropshire Author Turns Canal Experiences Into New Book
John Oliver, of Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, has realised his dream of getting his novel into print with the publication of ‘The Cheshire Ring’.
The father of two remembers well the family narrowboat holiday his book is based on and by mixing his own experience with the story of bank robbers stashing their loot in the boat he came up with a very entertaining tale.
Mr Oliver, who was born in Shrewsbury in 1929 and is the author of a number of plays and musicals, said: “I wanted to write a book that told a story but would also appeal to the people across the country who enjoy the canals.
The father of two remembers well the family narrowboat holiday his book is based on. Photo: Gavin Stewart.
“The story is about the robbers hiring a boat and chasing the family boat where the money is hidden. MI5 are hot on their heels but are actually on a difference case and mistaken identity and repeated bungles lead them on a pursuit around the Cheshire Ring canal system.
“Along the way, all these inexperienced boatmen have to contend with scores of locks, they run aground, get stuck in locks and lots more. The canal system provided me with a great setting for a comedy tale.”
The book is available, priced at £7.99, from all major bookstores and from www.amazon.co.uk, where one reviewer describes it as “Like its location, The Cheshire Ring is quintessentially English, and is reminiscent of P.G Wodehouse.”
