Colin Hirst
Born in 1948, Colin Hirst was the youngest of two brothers. Having a grandad who had his own farm where he spent most of his childhood, which was where he got his love for animals and the great outdoors. His father was a coal miner, as were all his uncles.
The author left school at the age of fifteen and started work at a local joiners-cum-undertakers. Colin retired from his bespoke furniture, design and making business at the age of 63. He did not start writing until the death of his beloved wife, Lesley.