OAP Ben Baughan presents his 14th book (From Oxford Mail)

OAP Ben Baughan presents his 14th book

8:20pm Saturday 27th October 2012 in News By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

HE may be in his nineties, but Ben Baughan is still a literary spring-chicken.

The keen writer still gets up at 6am to write for two hours, and has just published his 14th book, a compendium of short stories.

At 95 years old, his retirement years have amounted to a whole new career.

Mr Baughan said he writes “because he can” and “relishes the challenge”. He has written eight novels, two selections of short stories and four books of poetry.

He moved from Wiltshire to Witney when he was six, and served in the Royal Navy during the war.

His novels A Time To Every Purpose, Captain Bell and Raider all feature characters he met at sea.

Mr Baughan said: “Those years were fearful and wonderful at the same time, and you had to have total trust in your fellow man.”

Later he went into teaching.

With his poetry, the author said he hoped to “amuse, make a comment or two, and advise”.

Initially Mr Baughan writes in longhand, before transcribing the words onto his computer, supported by Iris, his wife of 62 years.

• Mr Baughan’s books can be obtained from Bound Biographies on 01869 246796 or at bound biographies.com. All proceeds go to charity.

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