Former Bettyhill teacher still writing novels at 88
Former pupils of Farr High School, particularly those who attended from the early sixties through to 1973, will vividly recollect their dynamic English teacher, Alan Temperley, who in the latter years of his service there, inspired the school and its community to produce Tales of the North Coast, writes Jim A Johnston.
Illustrated by the school’s art department under the direction of Elliot Rudie, that tome is still selling well.
Alan moved on but continued to write and, while also teaching in Galloway and other schools in the south-west of Scotland, went on to produce a substantial portfolio of literature including Murdo’s War, which is set in Bettyhill. and Tales of Galloway which emulates his work here.
A dozen different volumes have flowed from his pen with two televised and he still has hopes of further success in this field.
At the age of 88, and still as sharp as ever, he may have taken a step in that direction with his latest creation - Mary Pearson - which has just hit the bookshelves.
Set in the north of England during the austere years at the end of World War II, it traces the lives of two young adolescents: Mary, who lives with her grandmother in fictional Eastport, and Jewish youngster, Teddy, who are plunged into a violent adventure by a chance encounter. What happens to them? Will they even survive?
Priced at £9.99, Mary Pearson is available from Amazon and through bookshops. It’s an excellent read!
