Nostalgic Norfolk: A trip across the broads

Nostalgic Norfolk is the new release of David Banks, a 73-year-old hobbyist writer from Walsingham, who has more than five books under his belt.

Proceeds from the book will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, which David is a champion of.

David has already raised £362 for the cause and hopes to reach his target of £1,000.

David told the Lynn News: “I had a friend who has suffered from Motor Neurone.

“I will never forget it.

“It’s not as publicised as cancer and other illnesses.

“The sad thing is, once you’ve been diagnosed, the only way to go from there is the undertakers, it’s horrible.”

David understands only too well how hard life is with a debilitating disease.

He suffers from osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and has a pacemaker.

His wife, Christine, has dedicated her time to looking after him.

They met in 1966 and married in 1968.

“Day to day life is a struggle. I have a mobility car but I can’t go far now,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for my wife I wouldn’t be here right now – I love her dearly.”

David spends most of his time writing as his conditions worsen, he said: “It’s a way to get out when I physically can’t. It’s my lifeline.”

Of the book, David said: “It’s a trip across the broads, with some ghostly themes – I’m hoping locals will like it.

“I usually write about the USAF and the RAF and my books do well over in America.

“This title, and my last book ‘Hands Across the Sea’, is also Norfolk based.”

David is very proud of a commander’s coin given to him by the commander of the 501st at Molesworth which used to be the Hells Angels during World War Two.

David dedicated his first book to the commander who allowed him to undertake research in order to produce his first big A5 book, Chariots of Thunder.

David self-publishes with Fakenham Prepress Solutions.

All of David’s titles are available on his website evolution-norfolk-broads.co.uk.