A RETIRED school caretaker has followed in the footsteps of his favourite poet by releasing a collection of poems -- and it has only taken him 81 years to do it!

Alan Stuttard, of School House Lane, Accrington, started writing four months ago and has already written 60 poems and jingles. "I just started one day and they've been flowing ever since," said the former caretaker of Green Haworth C of E primary, School House Lane.

The collection has been published in a booklet by his daughter Margaret, 51, in aid of St Clement's Church where he is the organist. So far he has sold more than 70 of the 36-page booklets at £2.50 to parishioners, friends and family, and fellow members of St Clement's male voice choir.

Alan, who lives in the old school house with his wife Ann, 74, and has eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, said he has always had an interest in poetry. He also said he loves to read but this was the first time he has ever put pen to paper.

He said he has drawn on a vast amount of experience in his life from being roped in to be the church's organist to rescuing an officer while serving in Italy in World War Two.

The latter effort saw him appear on television's This Is Your Life in the 1960's -- the officer was Sydney Scroggy a climber and writer who still pursued his interests despite losing his sight and a leg in the war.

"I started to write to raise funds for the church because like all churches it is in need of money, but its something I've always been interested in.

"I'd love to write something on a par with William Wordsworth, who is my favourite poet, but I feel I have a long way to go."

His daughter Margaret, of Billinge End Road, Blackburn, said: "He always used to read poetry to us when we were younger. My brother Alan, sister Eileen, now 53 and 45 respectively, and myself used to go on walks with him in the dark up in the moors and he used to make the walks come alive.

"He's written about a lot of things including his time in the war and the rescue of an officer which he hasn't spoken much of. So it's all very interesting.

"I'm going to try and get them published and I'm looking at the next step."

The Organist

It was round about St. Stephen's Day

When we first heard with great dismay,

Our organist was getting wed.

Of course, this news filled us with dread.

She'd met a man, and that was that,

They'd already found a brand new flat.

They were to be married very soon

Then off they would go on Honeymoon.

The vicar heard the fateful news

And thought of all the empty pews.

A church without a single note,

Couldn't last long, that's how he thought.

He called the wardens and curate too

And asked them all what they should do.

The curate spoke with gentle ease

That, Organists do not grow on trees.

The vicar met the verger too

And as they talked their friendship grew.

There is a favour you could do,

"Just play for us for a week or two."

Now Alan thought this hard and long,

And wondered, "Am I doing wrong?"

But seeing things in such a state,

He'd do it, just to help a mate.

So Alan practised all that week,

It was perfection he did seek.

But with all the stops and pedals too,

It wasn't an easy thing to do.

Sunday came with tolling bell.

The vicar came and wished him well.

As Alan wandered to his seat

The people smiled, and said, "He's neat!"

The bellows filled with many a squeak

He also thought he heard a leak.

The Hymn announced was number seven.

All good children go to Heaven.

The Psalms went well, Responses too.

Mistakes had been so very few.

All were pleased and said, "He'll do",

They all then went off and had a brew.

The weeks and months had passed away,

And no one else had come to play.

It filled our Alan with much dismay.

It looked like he had come to stay.

The dark brown hair had turned to grey,

As fifty years had passed away.

The organist, he then was told,

Would get a watch of solid gold.

The moral of this story true,

Take care when people come to you

And ask for help for a week or two.

Just walk away or you may rue.