LOCAL songwriter Brian Iles has celebrated his 90th birthday.
Kingswood-born Brian, who lives in Hanham, has written numerous songs over the years mainly about local places and people.
His songs and music have been used for several campaigns. These have included helping get the name of the historic Blue Bowl pub in Hanham, successfully changed back to the Blue Bowl after it was renamed the Mill House in 1996.
Most of his melodies have been original and inspired by local areas such as Magpie Bottom in Hanham, the woods and meadows near Hanham river and Hanham Mount.
However, he has also been inspired by other areas such as the Malverns and its association with Edward Elgar, having been based in Worcester as a civil servant aged 17.
Our picture shows Brian at Hanham Mount with Bristol-based guitarist and folk singer Helen James. You can find Brian’s song about Hanham Mount, arranged by Helen, at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5n7f5zwz