Doug, born in Rotton Park, Birmingham, left nearby George Dixon Grammar School at the age of 16 and became a trainee quantity surveyor with Robert M. Douglas (Contractors) Ltd., of Erdington. He later joined his father
All the stories have a link to Rotton Park Reservoir - in the book, a pivotal place for those living in Ladywood and surrounding boroughs. The Bridge is a fictional account of individuals whose lives are recounted against events, locally, nati