Retired teacher from Boston area returns to the classroom as published author

Gill Strugnell, 79, of Kirton Skeldyke, has made her debut as an author with When Granny Witch Came To Stay.

The book centres on a girl called Arabella and how her life is turned upside down when she learns she has magical powers just like her visiting grandmother.

It was published at the end of last year by Austin Macauley Publishers under the pen name G. M. Campbell. Gill was inspired to write the book after an accident at home left her with reduced mobility, which in turn led to her retiring from teaching.

During her career, Gill worked as a teacher in Worcestershire and then, for more than 20 years, as a supply teacher at schools in Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties. The Lincolnshire schools included Boston’s St Bede’s, Kirton Middlecott, Sutterton’s Fourfields, and Swineshead’s St Mary’s).

She said writing the book has given her ‘an immense amount of pleasure’.

“As a child I always enjoyed delving into books about witches and wizards,” she said.

Recently, she paid a visit to Sutterton’s Fourfields CofE Primary School to share her book with pupils. Head of school, Teri Baker, described the visit as ‘lovely,’ and said: “The children were very engaged and enjoyed asking lots of questions.”