A RETIRED headmaster from Saltney who survived a vicious attack leaving him with a splintered skull, has fulfilled a lifelong ambition to become a children’s author.
Robin Chambers, 70, was the headteacher of a large comprehensive school in Stoke Newington in London before moving to Chester after taking early retirement.
Following a cruise to the Caribbean to celebrate his wife Amy’s 50th birthday, the couple decided to up sticks and settle in Belize in Central America, where they enjoyed two years of idyllic living before Robin was attacked by burglars who had broken in to their home.
He said: “I was set on by three young men wearing scarves over their faces.
“I clasped my hands over my head to protect myself but was badly injured.
“My skull was splintered and I needed 17 stitches.”
When police advised Robin to carry a 9mm gun ‘at all times’ as the gang would almost certainly return to kill him, he and Amy decided to return home to Chester.
“We were not going to live like that,” said Robin, whose attackers never stood trial.
Having already had work published in the 1970s by Penguin, Robin was keen to get back to writing children’s books.
“I always planned to write but life kept getting in the way,” he laughed.
“We were staying with friends in Upton while we looked for somewhere to live, so I decided to lock myself in a room and ended up writing for eight hours a day.”
The result is the first four of a series of books entitled Myrddin’s Heir: A Wizard of Dreams, Amazing Grace, The Quality of Mercy and Gifts from the Gods.
Aimed at what Robin describes as ‘bright children aged between 10 and 110,’ the central character is the young Gordon Bennett whose mission is to make the world a better place.
With wizards and witches, magic and mayhem, Robin said: “If you liked Harry Potter, you’ll love this story.”
YOU can read the first 10 chapters of A Wizard of Dreams free at www.myrddinsheir.com. The ebooks are also available from Amazon Kindle Direct Store for 99p.
Robin is also touring schools in Chester to talk about his books.
