Meeting murdered policeman's father

I had a fascinating and successful weekend recently talking about my two latest books, God's Secret Listener and Four Centuries at The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury.

On the Saturday morning I was the invited speaker for the first ever men’s breakfast for the village churches around Shrewsbury.

The organisers were delighted that 30 men turned up at the Four Crosses, Bicton, and they are already planning another similar event at the end of June.

I never expected to find another author in the audience but I was privileged to meet Robin Oake, a former Chief Constable on the Isle of Man whose son, Stephen Robin Oake, was an anti-terrorism detective with Greater Manchester Police.

On January 14, 2003, he was murdered while attempting to arrest a suspected terrorist in the city.

Robin, pictured below, has written a number of books including Father Forgive, published by Authentic Media, which tells of his son’s death and the issues it raised for him and his family as he learnt to forgive his killers.

I was really moved by the gentleness, humility and godliness of this retired policeman who now lives near Shrewsbury.

Incidentally, I must mention the efficient service and excellent breakfast served up by the Four Crosses at Bicton.

Then on Sunday I was invited by the Rev Canon Dr Barry Wilson, vicar of All Saints, Madeley, and St Margaret's, Betley, on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border to speak again at the morning service where I received a really warm welcome.

Finally, on Monday I spoke to the Meir Heath Windmill preservation and local history group in North Staffordshire.

The organisation was set up in 2004 in an effort to save the windmill, pictured below, which had been abandoned after centuries of working life.

It received tens of thousands of pounds of investment and the landmark, next to the Windmill pub, is now classified as a grade two listed building.

Organiser Gillian Swift, who invited me, said they were now planning a book to coincide with the Queen’s diamond jubilee this year.

They meet at Sandon Business and Enterprise College in Meir and I was really impressed by the modern facilities there and the members’ interest in my books.

All in all it was a fascinating weekend – and successful as I managed to sell my books at all three events.

To buy a copy of Four Centuries at The Lion Hotel, or God's Secret Listener, published by Lion Monarch of Oxford, email John@jbutterworth.plus.com