A group of senior citizens has shared their memories of days gone by in a new book released this month.

'Legacies', a book written by students from Rawle Frederick's Seniors' Learning Centre writing classes at the Bermuda College, hit the shelves this week. It was published by the Bermuda Writers Collective.

The stories from a course called 'Leaving a Written Legacy', are mostly memoirs with some fiction thrown in. Locations in the book stretch from Bermuda, to Kansas to England.

Writers featured are Nea Willits, Jill Logan, Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Trott, Catherine Joy Smith, Grace McCallan, the late Derek Fletcher, Gwendolyn Lawrence (not a senior citizen), Marilynn O. Simmons, and the late Francis (Goose) Gosling.

In the forward to 'Legacies' teacher Rawle Frederick wrote: "... the only constant in our world is change and all of these writers, after cajoling and urging, have embraced change and crossed borders physical, emotional and psychological.

"It is good, for that is exactly what writing entails – crossing borders between the imagination and experience to arrive at places the reader readily recognises."

Mr. Frederick has written several books himself including 'The Vendor of Dreams', 'Trans Atlantic Cargo and Seasons (The Antilles) – A Collection of Poems'. He is a lecturer in African and Caribbean literature at the Bermuda College and has won the National Prize for fiction in Trinidad and the James Michener Fellowship in Caribbean Literature.

But for most of his students seeing their work in print was a first time joy.

"It was really exciting to finally see our work bound," said Mrs. Logan.

Mrs. Logan originally joined the class to finish her late husband's history of rugby in Bermuda, which was half finished when he died. "But I realised that it might be a bit beyond me," said Mrs. Logan.

Instead she wrote about growing up in England during the Second World War.

Another writer, Mrs. Trott has illustrated the covers of two of Mr. Frederick's own books, but she said it was still great to see her work in print.

"It was nice to read the stories, make no mistake," she said. "We have been over and over it again. It has been proofread about four times."

Mrs. Trott said that as a teacher she could see that the book would be very useful in schools.

"It is very helpful, because students have to research old Bermuda games, and things like that," she said. "I am subbing at a school and a lot of the teachers are buying the book. They want children to see how a book is published. Then it is useful to have in the library for research."

Mrs. Trott wrote about growing up in Pembroke. She teaches art, but she said writing is her first love.

"I just like to come in and write," she said. "Writing is my first love. Art is my second."

Mrs. Smith said she joined the class so she could record her family history in Tucker's Town.

"My grandmother always told me about Tucker's Town and the things that happened prior to the 1920s and in the early 1920s," said Mrs. Smith. "This is about the desire to learn more about my people and their beginnings.

"I have a great grandfather who was born in 1832 where the old Mid Ocean Club was. I would like to know more about him.

"One of the gentlemen in the Tucker's Town historical society asked me if I would join them in their research."

She decided to take the class so she could put what she learned into a book that was readable.

Many of the students said they felt very nervous when they first learned that their work would be published.

"We were just encouraged to write something, and somehow Rawle drew them all together," said Mrs. Logan.

"This was my first experience of writing," said Mrs. Smith. "I am very thankful for Dr. Frederick and all his patience, because the old head is not like the young one.

"It has been a wonderful experience because Mr. Frederick would get us to read portions of our stories and we were free to correct and interject. I was quite pleased when I read mine."

Mrs. Simmons originally intended to write her family history, but found herself writing something quite different.

"Out came these stories," she said. "I love my heroines. They are strong and courageous. I still haven't gotten around to writing any family history."

For Nea Willits, the book is extra special. Not only does it contain her own writing, but also that of her brother the late Francis (Goose) Gosling.

Before his death, Mr. Gosling wrote a piece about his experiences having a heart attack in 1987.

"My first cousin gave me a copy of Goose's article," said Mrs. Willits. "I thought it was marvellous. I showed it to Rawle and he said he'd like to include it.

"That is why Goose's article is there. It is helpful and complementary to our hospital."

Mrs. Willits decided she would write something about her family history for the younger generation.

"When my sister-in-law, Kay Gosling, died they asked me to do the flowers. I did the colours in red and white because she and my brother Teddy were big sailors.

"My grandfather raced in Bermuda and they use to have red and white stripes on the mast. All of the Goslings are buried with red and white flowers.

"After this, my nephew who is a sailor, said he didn't know that. So I thought I better write these things down so the kids would know."

Mrs. Smith said although the book has not been out long she has already received positive feedback.

"People want to know what happened after certain points," she said. "A sequel might be needed."

¦ Sadly, writer Derek Fletcher passed away shortly after the interview with The Royal Gazette. On Thursday, Mr. Fletcher told The Royal Gazette that he was happy to see the book finally in stores.

In the book, Mr. Fletcher included stories from his long career as a police officer in Bermuda. One of his stories detailed why home fireworks were banned in Bermuda. He also wrote of some of the challenges he had faced in his life, and wrote of his personal faith in God. "Several people have complimented me on my courage for baring my soul," he said. "All of my stuff is factual. None of it is fiction."

Mr. Fletcher said he was grateful for Mr. Frederick's help and instruction.

"I must say the whole thing would have been an impossible task if it hadn't been for Rawle Frederick," Mr. Fletcher said. "He has put so many hours into helping us and the book. He was very much the leader in this project."

The writers are officially launching 'Legacies' on Friday from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in the Bermuda College Student Centre.