This Christmas, the great nieces and nephews of Richard Gore, OH 1958-66, will be receiving an extra special present under the Christmas tree. Their Great Uncle Richard has written a special Christmas story, featuring them and made it into a book.

I started a year ago writing a story for my five great nieces and nephews about our King Charles Cavalier which they all liked.  It was written from the dogs perspective and seemed to go down well.  Then I wrote another short story about my late brother, Bill's (Gore, OH 1954-63) fishing adventure when he was nine years old.

My third attempt was in response to the approval by the children of the family and a number of other children, who had read the first two short stories.  The idea of bringing some interest and happiness to youngsters was very much a motivation.  As a Sixth Former at Hymers, my teacher, a charismatic man called Grayson, commented once that I had a promising prose style, so perhaps belatedly I thought it was time to put it to some use.

Richard Gore, OH 1958-66

The story starts with a family gathering at Christmas, when the five children reunite on a cold and wet day in December. Six year old Peter, helped by his cousin Bobby, of the same age, decide to build a model aeroplane out of Lego. That night, Peter was awoken by a noise and upon exploring, he discovered his lego plane was now the size of a small aircraft and parked outside his house. His sisters and cousins follow him, and after some deliberation, they decide to board the plane.

Choosing Sweden for a destination, the plane takes off on its journey, flying over Hull along the way.  After landing in Sweden, the children had four hours to enjoy their adventure. Guided by a Sámi young woman named Inga, who provides them with warm clothes, the children learn more about the Scandinavian forests and the animals who live there, including the Artic reindeer. Inga explained to the children how, in December, an elderly gentleman would visit and ask to borrow a few of the reindeer for a very important job. Inga didn't know who the gentleman was, but from the description of 'quite old with a white beard and wore a red coat, red trousers and black boots', the children thought they had an idea.  I wonder who they thought he  was?

At the end of the adventure, the children fly back before the plane disappears.  Was it just a dream?  Maybe, but where did Ellen get the gloves from that her Mum finds in her coat the next morning?

It seems to me that Ellen, aged seven, Peter and three year old Anna, along with their cousins, Bobby and two year old Toby are very lucky to have such a creative Uncle.  And it is not only them who have been able to read the story, as Richard has kindly donated a few copies to Hymers College and Hymers Hessle Mount, for our younger students to read.