In the depths of industrial West Yorkshire during the transformative era of the 1960s and 1970s, Red Bricks and Loose Dogs takes readers on a profound journey of introspection. Inspired by the unwavering honesty of Father Jim, a trusted and wise man, the story unravels the truth behind the boy who grew into a man.
Father Jim, revered for his wisdom, kept a powerful revelation hidden until his final moments. He shattered the illusion of his authority to grant heavenly visas or offer absolution, asserting that it is our personal responsibility to face the truth and examine our own past behaviours.
Guided by Father Jim’s honesty, the author of this remarkable memoir transports readers to the vibrant tapestry of his youth, set against the gritty industrial landscapes of West Yorkshire. Within this backdrop, the author rediscovers the influential people and defining moments that shaped his thinking and character for years to come.
Terence Roberts was born in Ruthin, North Wales, before moving to Halifax, West Yorkshire, as a young child. It is here, on the Grove Estate in Ovenden, that he grew up from boy to man. He qualified as a probation officer at the University of Huddersfield, then worked for the probation service in Merseyside and West Yorkshire. At the age of 50, he followed his dream and went to live in Ireland where he worked for the Irish Probation Service in Limerick. Now retired, he lives in O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare, with his family of horses, donkeys and retired greyhounds. This period of his life in Ireland proved inspiration for the memoir, All Because of Daisy.