Crash victim publishes first book (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Crash victim publishes first book

4:36pm Friday 27th November 2009

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An author who began writing following a serious car crash has had his first book published.

Graham Hutton of Brunwin Road, Rayne, is the author of Gloworm: In the Beginning, which was released earlier this month.

The 64-year-old began the book, which is about Essex in the late 1960s and early 1970s, following a car accident in Colchester about 11 years ago which has left him wheelchair-bound and with impaired hearing and sight.

The grandfather-of-two, who used to work for the Essex area health authority, took up writing after he was forced to give up work because of the crash.

He said it was a form of therapy and he never expected the book to be published.

“You cannot do anything because you have very little movement. What can you do?

“I met a lady authoress who said ‘why don’t you try writing?’”

Gloworm: In the Beginning, which is the first in a trilogy, is about the modern history of Braintree, Colchester and Harwich.

He said: “It takes place between 1969 and 1974.

“During that time we had the three-day week, the IRA, three governments, interest rates for mortgages at six per cent.

“We actually had a similar situation to now.”

Mr Hutton, who has written articles before, said the book was a story about a young man - a fictional character - who starts his own business and the difficulties he faces with situations like the very first postal strike.

He said a fish restaurant which used to be in Sandpit Lane, Braintree, is mentioned in the book, as well as a cinema where the Townrow Department Store is currently.

Mr Hutton, who is a governor at Elm Hall Primary School in Witham, has completed book two of the trilogy.

Gloworm: In the Beginning, which is published by Athena, can be bought from Amazon and local bookshops.

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