VIDEO: Published poet at 98
RETIRED RUC officer James McBryde could have been forgiven for giving up on ever having his poems and short stories published in his own book.
But ever is a long time and instead, James, who is just weeks short of his 99th birthday, is reciting 60-year-old verses from a shiny new copy of his collection entitled Off the Beaten Track from his residence in Drumragh Nursing Home in Omagh.
With the help of Omagh Open Door Poetry Group, James is preparing to officially launch his book next week, and clearly relishes the opportunity to recall the many vivid memories of serving in the RUC throughout the rural landscape of Fermanagh.
Indeed James, who was born in 1910 in Lisburn, may be the oldest man anywhere in the world to publish a book of "such historical importance", according to members of the local poetry group.
"Oh yes, I'm proud to have this book in my hands now," said a delighted James, who is still writing poems from his huge vault of memories.
"Many, many years ago I submitted a collection for publication and I was told that two people were in favour of publishing my work, but a third man disagreed, and it was never published - I suppose it's better late than never."
James, who has two sons and a daughter, joined the police in early 1932 and formed part of the guard of honour at the historical opening of Stormont that same year.
Retiring from the force in 1966, James said he was "relieved" that he never had to use his weapon as he stood on patrol outside Lack police station in Fermanagh.
"I don't really know why I started writing," he said. "I suppose it was maybe the bookcase in my father's house.
"It contained the works of Goldsmith, Moore and Scott, who have gone out of fashion a bit now, and Burns - Rabbie Burns of course - who else?" joked James.
Off the Beaten Track spans an 80-year career in writing, covering the enormous social, economic and environmental changes which have taken place in Northern Ireland and throughout the world in the last century
One of those who has helped James achieve the life-long dream of publication is Fermanagh man Paddy Montague.
Paddy said he was delighted to learn that his former local police officer was still alive - and amazed to discover James' "treasure trove of verse".
"Some time ago I received a phone call from a friend who told me that James McBryde, who had been a police officer in our village where I went to school, was still alive.
"When I visited James he showed me a scrapbook full of poems which he had written.
"This grabbed my attention, as I scribbled a bit myself.
"After reading his work we discovered the love he had for the country way of life and the people in the areas he worked in. James also had and still has a great interest in sonnets and his stories include many witty Ulsterisms.
"We found it really hard to edit this, as there were so many good poems and short stories.
“We could easily have published three or four collections from James’ work.”
Fellow member of the Open Door group, Pheme Glass, said the book was a unique opportunity to “journey down the highways and byways of Fermanagh and Tyrone”.
“We were all really amazed when we began to read James’ work,” she said. “It captures the essence of the place and time - and of course it covers such a long period of time.
“I feel very proud to know James McBryde. He is an exceptional poet and storyteller.”
Off the Beaten Track by James McBryde will be launched in the lecture room at Omagh Library at 7pm tomorrow.
You can watch an exclusive video interview with James on the News Letter website www.newsletter.co.uk
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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