A FORMER textile worker who now lives in New Zealand has written a book of his wool trade experiences and donated copies to two libraries.

Fred Heap, 90, who now lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, has donated two signed copies of his book, Collections of Short Stories, to Bradford Local Studies Library and Denholme Library.

The book, published in 2015, recalls the wool trade in the fictional village of Deanley, based on Denholme, from the Victorian age to the 1950s.

It features black and white photographs including ones of Mr Heap’s mother Emily and his father Irvine, and a church in Denholme where the Heap family members were buried.

A picture of Mr Heap and wife Audrey’s wedding day is also included, with a more recent picture of the Heap family together in Christchurch.

The book also chronicles Forester Mill, including a photograph of mill workers finishing their shift, and follows the wool trade in New Zealand, where Mr Heap ran Fred W Heap Limited, a wool-buying brokers.

The photographs are brought up to date with a picture of the 2015 Denholme Gala king and queen.

The books were donated after a visit from Bradford Writers’ Circle member Maureen Beaumont to see Mr Heap in New Zealand.

Tina Watkin, leader of Bradford Writers’ Circle, said: “The book is a collection of short stories telling of his life through the once great wool trade in Bradford and further afield.

“It is great that he went over to New Zealand and told how different his life is. He was originally a wool sorter who lived in Denholme.

“It’s something really exciting for him that is close to his heart.”

Caroline Brown, development officer for local studies at Bradford Local Studies Library, said: “We will put the book in the local authors collection and keep for future research.

“It is a local author and is of social history of the wool industry at that time.

“It’s fascinating. More people are writing about their family history.”

Mr Heap’s book has also gone on display at Christchurch’s City Library.