Eileen Fry, 86, a resident at St Oswald’s Village, is a successful author whose literary career spans over 30 years. Eileen’s work focuses on historical ghost stories and childhood autobiographies, drawing from her lifelong interest in the history of Gloucester. Here she shares with us about her experience at St Oswald’s Village and her history with writing.

I had always had an interest in the history of Gloucester, alongside a friend I researched ghost stories around Gloucester and subsequently wrote my first book on it. My first book was written 30 years ago called Strange and Ghostly Trails of Historic Gloucester, I wrote it and my friend took the photographs. After the book was released we even went on to host ghost walks once a fortnight around Gloucester.

I’ve written a series of books over the years mainly featuring the city as I’ve had a lifelong interest in its history. My other works include a memoir of childhood during World War 2 titled You are my sunshine: wartime childhood memories 1939-1945.  My most recent offering Brain Bursts for All I’d say is my favourite – I wrote it for me. It’s the concept I love. There’s a bit of me in it. It’s for anybody to read, prose pieces on a variety of subjects and brain flashes. My husband had dementia and I dedicated this to him. Next in the pipeline is the sequel Brain Bursts Part 2.