Capturing Saddleworth in poetry

Across The Line, by Anthony Brough, is available locally at The Towpath Bookshop and Gifts for all Seasons in Uppermill, and Amazon and Waterstones

A retired teacher has published a book of prose and poetry inspired by Saddleworth’s changing seasons and night skies.

Initially, Anthony Brough, who taught at Blue Coat school and Failsworth for more than 22 years, focused his book - Across The Line - on his childhood growing up on a Cheadle council estate. 

However, many of the 55 poems are written in and around Saddleworth and the book’s front cover features part of a painting by distinguished local artist Chris Cyprus, whose son shared the same class through primary school with Mr Brough’s boy in Mossley.

Mr Brough, who now lives in Delph, said: “I taught history have seen that as story telling.

"Some of my poems focus on teaching, some on my growing up in Cheadle.

“But a significant number are focused around Delph.

"I have two large dogs and enjoy walking them above Delph.

"Last September was the first September I hadn't worked since 1989 and it was great watching Summer fade into Autumn and then Winter, observing how the landscape changed over time. 

“A number of poems also focus on the unbelievable night sky above Delph, the clarity of the constellations, which was something new to me.

“Once I finished my book and had a publishing agreement I asked Chris if I could use a section from one of his amazing paintings for my.book.

"Which has a prose introduction explaining the various themes, then 55 poems, reflecting my age now and also, sadly, how old my late mother was when she passed away.”

Across The Line, by Anthony Brough, is priced at £10.98, and is available locally at The Towpath Bookshop and Gifts for all Seasons in Uppermill, and Amazon and Waterstones.

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