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Grandfather-of-two Ken Hall would daydream about becoming a children’s author while working as an engineer in the rough and ready setting of a Sunderland docks.

His hopes for a different life were thwarted by the lack of a typewriter and the fact he struggled with handwriting.

But, having retired and returned to the classroom at the age of 78, Ken, now aged 89, mastered the word processor and so began his journey to a new career.

He said: “I have a saying that people who believe that they are too old to read a children’s fairy story are very old indeed.

“People who believe they are too old to learn new skills are also very old indeed, and I was glad to be able to show that college is not just a place for young people.

“The college courses I completed helped me turn what was a hobby and a lifelong ambition into a reality.”

Ken took a level one computer course at Sunderland College, where he was taught how to use Microsoft packages, including Word, and the internet.

He progressed to a level two computer studies course, which he completed before his 81st birthday. And the Sunderland pensioner has been busy ever since, typing up short stories, novels and poems, which are mostly for children.

Some of the first people to hear Ken’s stories were children from Hill View Infant School, in Sunderland, said his 53-year-old daughter, Kris, an information technology college lecturer.

She said: “He had some of his stories made into books for family and friends to read, which he would go in and read to the local school kids, who really loved them. My mum, Mavis [79], also took some to a primary school in Broadway, Worcestershire, and a family friend took them overseas to a school in Australia.

“The head teachers from both schools sent him letters saying how much the children liked the stories, so we thought he was onto something.”

Ken, who spent most of his working life as an engineer at TW Greenwell dry dock, in Sunderland, has now completed two novels, eight shorter children’s stories, and many poems.

Kris said: “The stories are brilliant. The first one was a short-story called Willie and Patch about a boy and his dog. That ended up as the first chapter of a much longer adventure story, called the Sword and the Shield. Another of his books for people of any age, called the Fairest Rose, is about a young woman who was trapped in Germany at the outbreak of the Second World War and became a spy for the British and Americans.

“Those who have been lucky enough to read proof-copies of the book haven’t been able to put it down.”

Ken, who also keeps busy through keeping pigeons, returned to the college recently to thank his lecturers. He said: “I never thought that, in my 70s and 80s, I would be able to learn new skills, but it has been great.”

His work is currently being poof-read and Ken plans to get his stories published on Kindle through amazon.co.uk and through lulu.com for printed books. Grandson Christopher, 30, has also designed a website — www.kenhallbooks.co.uk — to publicise his work.

Do you know of any FE and skills learners older than Ken? Email campus@feweek.co.uk to let us know.

There was nothing half-baked about the good advice an award-winning former catering student gave to the next generation of learners at Gateshead College.

Catherine Smith, who was Gateshead College Student of the Year in 2013, secured the role of pastry commis chef at London’s prestigious Ritz Hotel after passing a level two course in professional cookery in June last year.

The 29-year-old showed current catering students how to make tasty pastry treats during her return to the college. The learners also quizzed her on preparation and cooking techniques, food hygiene, and key attributes needed to impress employers in the hospitality and catering industry.

She said: “It’s amazing to be able to go back to college. If I can help just one person to get a job in these difficult economic times, it will have been worthwhile.”

Young people on the Civil Service’s fast-track apprenticeship scheme met Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.

The minister met existing apprentices at the Cabinet Office, in Whitehall, London, during an event to publicise plans to double the number of places on the scheme, which gives 18 to 21-year-olds the chance to work at the heart of government.

The scheme was introduced last year, when 100 18 to 21-year-olds were placed in departments to learn on the job.

This year, the government claims it will offer 200 permanent posts to school-leavers from September.

The aim is to eventually increase the figure to 500, which would match the number of university graduates taken on each year through the Civil Service’s graduate fast-stream scheme.

Mr Maude said: “The apprenticeship scheme will sit alongside our popular graduate scheme ensuring we draw the widest pool of talent into the Civil Service.”

A group of students learned about the troubled history of South Africa’s second largest city from Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt.

The keen historian spoke to more than 20 learners from Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College about Cape Town, where black and white communities were divided by apartheid from 1948 until Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa’s president in 1994.

The Stoke-on-Trent Central MP’s talk helped prepare them for a trip to South Africa next month, which will include visits to schools and an Aids orphanage in Cape Town, plus the prison on nearby Robben Island where the late Mr Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity before he was released in 1990.

Calvin Austin, learner involvement co-ordinater at the college said: “Tristram’s talk helped the students understand the historical context of the country they are set to visit.”

A art student has been awarded £500 from a fund set up in memory of a talented Nottinghamshire artist.

Tom Trueman, aged 18, who is studying for a foundation diploma in art and design at New College Nottingham, submitted a range of his paintings to prove his promise as an artist, when applying for a grant from the Joan Oliver Fund, which is distributed through the Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.

He impressed Brian Oliver, who set up the fund to help young artists in memory of wife Joan, who died six years ago, and was given £500 to help progress his career.
Tom said: “I feel very privileged to receive the fund, it means I will be able to continue doing what I love.

“Hopefully with time and practise I can start selling my artwork. It’s not about a hobby or a career, it really is a way of life for me.”

Award-winning florist Joseph Massie shared his seeds of wisdom with students of Hugh BairdCollege.

Mr Massie won five consecutive gold medals for floral design and four best in show awards at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show between 2009 and 2013.

He held a masterclass with level one, two and three floristry students at the Liverpool-based college, to help them prepare for the regional heats of the RHS’s young florist of the year competition taking place next month. He showed them how to create a floral collar, made from a variety of flowers including lilacs, orchids and chincherinchees.

Mr Massie said: “The standard of work the students produced exceeded my expectations. They have shown incredible creativity and a real flair for the art of floral design.”

A former Sir George Monoux College student has been selected to be part of R&B star will.i.am’s team on BBC talent show the Voice.

Jermain Jackman, aged 19, who gained top grades in BTec music at the East London-based college, sang And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson to impress the coaches.

Jermain’s admiration for will.i.am inspired him to audition for the Voice.

He said: “He is one of my favourite artists, so when he was the only coach to turn around for me it felt like fate.”

Louisa Kennedy, course leader of creative performing arts at the college, said: “Jermain is a very motivated young man and an excellent role model for young people. We are all so proud of him.”

Jermain completed his BTec in July last year, but was presented with the college’s Music Student of the Year Award and the Rising Star Award earlier this month.

Students and staff at Stratford-upon-Avon College raised more than £1,000 for local charity SW Heart after completing a gruelling 24-hour rowing challenge.

The event was organised by BTec level three national extended diploma in uniformed public services students, who were joined by learners studying other courses and college staff in completing a combined total of 346 miles on rowing machines. It took place in the college’s Oasis Café, with students rowing through the night.

Steve Wadley, lecturer and event co-ordinator, said: “I am delighted with all the effort put in throughout a very tough 24-hour period. I
would like to thank everone who helped make the event a great success.”

SW Heart, which is based in Warwickshire, supports of heart patients and their families.

 

Two talented members of the East Durham College rugby scholarship programme passed through trials for the England college rugby squad.

Lee Little, a second row lock, and Liam Armstrong, who plays in the back row, travelled to Telford, Shropshire, to represent the North of England Colleges’ rugby team in a series of matches against college representative sides from the Midlands and the South East.

The games also acted as trials for the England college squad’s 37-man squad and the 18-year-olds were both selected.

They now hope to play in upcoming matches against the Welsh Charitables, an under-20 colleges and schools representative side, and the Irish Exiles, another under-20 colleges and schools’ representative side.

Lee said: “I can’t wait to meet with the national squad.

“I’m really nervous, but I am sure it will be a fantastic experience.”