George rolls out the Barrel with his first novel

George Crozier’s novel, The Lady in the Barrel, is the story of an infant heiress who was cast into the sea off the Tyne in a barrel when a ship rans aground at the time of the Napoleonic Wars.

Rescued and raised by fisher folk in the town – who know nothing of her true heritage – across the Channel, a French family refuses to abandon hope, dispatching a ruthless Scottish mercenary to uncover any trace of their lost bloodline.

Events go on to have stirring and dangerous reverberations across both England and France.

George, a retired gas fitter, said: “We used to live in Harbour View, just 50 yards from the river, and the story is based on me seeing an old barrel floating down the Tyne during the days of Covid.

"As it passed the Black Middens, my imagination took over.”

He added: “All the characters are loosely based on family or people I know.

“When I was at Ocean Road School, one of my teachers once said to me after a composition I had written that, one day, I’d write and publish a novel.

"I was only around 13 at the time, and 70 years later I’ve managed it!”

George, who is also an accomplished artist, has been involved in a number of business projects over the years.

He was also a founder member of the South Shields American Pool League through which he met the late Shields Gazette sports writer Dick Kirkup, with whom he wrote The Hustler column for the paper’s sports edition, ‘The Green.’

George also paid tribute to his wife of 60 years, Patricia, for her support while writing the book.

The couple have three children, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He said: “She has been a great help, both through her encouragement, and typing out the whole transcript.

“I am led to believe I am currently the oldest writer in South Shields to have a first novel published.

"I always thought I would achieve this ambition to write.”

*The Lady in the Barrel is published in paperback and available on Amazon, price £8.99.