After reading an article published in The Gazette several years ago, Horace Devlin, a former Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead resident, was inspired to delve into the life of a feral boy who ended up living in Northchurch.

Following three years of researching and writing, Mr Devlin has released Haxter's Wild Boy, which is based on the extraordinary story of the 12 year-old who was discovered in German forests in 1725 by visiting British royalty.

By order of King George I and Queen Caroline, the youth was brought to England where he became the subject of great fascination in high society.

Later named Peter the Wild Boy, he could not speak and although given tutors he could only ever mutter his own name.

Several authors used him as a case study in books about the progression of language and childhood development.

Jonathan Swift also wrote a satire about him. However, the royal court soon tired of Peter so he was put in the care of James Fenn, a Northchurch farmer.

During his time in the area he was arrested on suspicion of being a spy and often wandered off which led to him having a dog-style collar fitted, which is today kept at Berkhamsted Collegiate School.

Peter died at the age of 72 and was buried at St Mary's Church in Northchurch and a brass plaque inside recounts his fascinating life.

Mr Devlin, who used to work in the health and computer industry, said he has always enjoyed writing and decided to take the plunge when he retired.

"I used to live in Princess Close which is a mile or so away from the grave and I never knew it was there.

"I just became generally interested and thought it was something that ought to be known, " he explained.

Mr Devlin, who now lives in Hampshire, is also looking into making Peter's story into a film and would like youngsters and film makers in the Berkhamsted area to make it.

The book published last month is available from Amazon and Tesco websites with an ISBN number of 9781906710163.

Idle women worked hard

For the past few weeks the Gazette has been looking at the Land Girls who toiled in the fields during wartime.

But just as worthy as the Land Girls were the many women who worked on the canals to bolster Britain's war effort.

With good hearts and soft hands they toiled on Britain's canals during the Second World War, working hard and effectively and turning themselves into first rate boaters doing their utmost for the war effort - yet they earned only the name of Idle Women.

They wore no uniform - just a badge with IW to show they were working on the waterways on essential war work. Now, like the Women's Land Army, and 60 years after the end of the conflict, recognition is being sought for this group who earned the respect of traditional boating families.

Tony Hales, British Waterways' chairman said: "The achievements of this group of women during the war, while small in number, have never been formally recognised.

"We would now like to rectify this and hope that former Idle Women, or
their relatives, will come forward to share their stories and experiences."

The majority of the Idle Women worked on the Grand Union Canal which runs through the heart of Dacorum.

The Waterways Trust and British Waterways are now having a plaque created to provide permanent recognition of the contribution made by this special group of people. The plaque will be mounted at the National Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne.

Former Idle Women, or their families, should contact Justine Lee at The Waterways Trust on 07917 804550 or email justine.lee@the water
waystrust.org.uk

Were you one of these valuable volunteers? The Gazette would like to hear from you and see your pictures. Call our newsroom on 01442 262311.

Philosophy is the influence behind new novel

Amazon customers are giving five star reviews for Gail Levy's first novel, Dance To Your Daddy, a thriller about a young woman seeking to avenge her father's murder.

Local thriller fans can get a taste of it when Gail, from Common Lane, in Kings Langley, does a reading and signing at Corbetts Bookshop, in Tring, on Saturday, October 11, from 11am to 1pm.

All eight reviews on Amazon agree that the story, written by the novelist, is a real page turner from the very start.

Gail said: "I wrote the story 10 years ago, when I was working full time as a philosophy lecturer, but I couldn't get it published, even though I had an agent who loved it.

"It has been influenced by philosophy. I would say it's a low brow page turner with high brow ideas behind. It includes quotes from Shakespeare and Freud – both writers, who inspire me to write."

The modern day story based on Hamlet is set in Primrose Hill, London, where 47-year-old Gail lived for many years.

In the book Susan's dead father returns from the grave to tell her who his killer was and asks her to avenge his murder before his stone setting otherwise his soul will wander the earth forever.

But will anyone take her side? Her past riddled with drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuous relationships taints her credibility.

And to make matters worse, Susan discovers her father's brother is having a passionate affair with her mother.

"I liked the idea of doing Hamlet with a female lead," explained Gail.

"The idea of a dead father is quite powerful. My father died when I was young. Looking back I think that may have been a strong impulse behind the book."

Dance to Your Daddy is available from Waterstones, Amazon and Corbetts Bookshop, in Tring.