Bio
William Harding
I grew up in the optimistic aftermath of World War Two. Ours was an unconventional household. For many years, we lived without the basic utilities most of us take for granted – like power and water. We had no near neighbours. We were a tribe of four sisters and two brothers.
As children, we were taught to think for ourselves: to be honest, open and accepting of others; to understand what survival means for those plunged into difficult situations by circumstances beyond their control; to recognise we were of a nation no different to any other in Europe – equally as susceptible to the fallacies of extreme politics.
Ours was a household filled with humour and we developed an acute sense of the absurdity of life. It wasn’t perfect or idyllic – it had its moments – mostly good. For me, this led to a lifelong thirst for trying to understand how humans tick.
Throughout my life I’ve tried to put these life lessons into practice, although it’s not always been easy. We are only human after all.
Writing has not been my life – rather it wrapped itself around my career as a marine engineer. Away at sea for long periods, at a time when it wasn’t as easy to get in touch with the people I’d left behind, I’d feel lucky if I received a couple of letters in three months. So writing became my way of recording thoughts, feelings, experiences and amusing events to recount when I got home.
Short tales, anecdotes, verses, articles – all designed to encourage the reader to ask ‘what on earth is inside that head of his?’ And now this book, The Good Counsel of Alban.
