A CHORLEY author's nostalgic 'ramble' through his past will help the future of a local charity.

Harold Taylor has just published Rambling Recollections of seven decades - a self-portrait of memories of his native Bolton and beyond.

And former teacher and local government worker, Harold, aged 78, of Hartwood Green, Chorley, is dedicating half of the proceeds from its sale to St Catherine's Hospice, Lostock Hall, the other half going towards the Swordfish Heritage Trust.

Harold, ex-lieutenant (A) RNVR, opens the book with his "early days", telling of family life in Bolton.

He recalls in one section entitled Winter Evenings: "I did enjoy toasting bread on a long fork in front of the fire - nostalgia makes it seem much tastier. Until I was eight I had to share an egg, I felt really grown up when I eventually had a whole egg to myself."

In April, 1939, he volunteered for the RAF as aircrew, failed the test and joined the Fleet Air Arm. He writes: "After one afternoon's raid by the Stukas we emerged from the air raid shelters under the parade ground to discover that the 16 man RAF crew of the barrage balloon across the way had been hit by a bomb.

"They were all killed and my party was given the job of digging up the remains of the 16 men. It was a frightening exposure to the harsh realities of war for a group of 20-year-olds."

Harold later survived a torpedo attack on a troopship sailing to the Indian Ocean. He met his wife Dorothy at Bolton Palais de Danse on VJ Day, August 15, 1945. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1996.

The couple have been connected with Chorley Age Concern for many years. Dorothy has helped serve in the shop and Harold is the current chairman.

His short book is a delightful journey through life. It is available from Brewers Print, Peter Street, Chorley, and St Catherine's Hospice shop.

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