Canklow author gives digital version of book away for free to celebrate Yorkshire Day

A BUSINESSMAN who suffered a brain injury says writing his memoirs has helped him regain his memory - and become a published author.
John Brogan with his book Born in Yorkshire, Lost in SpaceJohn Brogan with his book Born in Yorkshire, Lost in Space
John Brogan with his book Born in Yorkshire, Lost in Space

John Brogan (72), of Dinnington, suffered a brain haemorrhage around the turn of the millennium as a result of work-related stress.

The injury left the former owner of Canklow firm Select Mortgages without much of his long and short-term memory and he was told he would never recover.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But John, who worked in financial services for 35 years, defied expectations by recovering large parts of his memory - helped by writing down memories of his childhood in Canklow.

John started writing his first book, called Born in Yorkshire, Lost in Space, about a year-and-a-half ago.

To celebrate Yorkshire Day (August 1), John is giving the book away for free online via Kindle until 11.59pm on Monday.

“Every memory led to another,” he said. “I’m a different person now to what I was a year ago.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John said when he ran his mortgage firm he used to “remember everything” and colleagues would use him as a “memory machine”.

He added: “After the brain haemorrhage, months after, I was assessed by a senior brain surgeon at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and they said the level I had reached was good but that was it - and, as I was then, I would be for the future.

“I had not regained my memory at that time and I got depressed because of it.”

Several years after his injury he began to share his memories of his Rotherham childhood on a Facebook group, which were well received.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He then built up a following on his own Facebook page called The Canklow Kid and followers encouraged him to compile his tales into a book.

“I had never done anything like it,” said John. “English wasn’t my subject at school, maths was.

“But once I sat down and started it, the memories would come back.”

He released his book in June and it has already sold copies in Canada and Australia.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John’s journey has also impressed health care provider Rotherham Home Instead, who help people with memory loss conditions, and he has been invited to give two talks to clients this month.

John added: “They believe, like me, that everyone has got a memory in there they can write about.

“I want to give something back - because I feel happy. I had my brain haemorrhage, but I didn’t die, which was the alternative to losing my memory.”

The book is written in Yorkshire dialect and includes a glossary of terminology. 

The paperback costs £7.86 on Amazon and, after Monday, the Kindle version will cost £2.35.

Related topics: