Danny, 73, tackles creative writing after GCSE pass

Danny Davey's next project will be creative writing

A great-grandad who has just passed his GCSE English said he was left "emotional" after being offered a creative writing holiday.

Danny Davey, 73, from Ipswich, left school at 14 with no qualifications, but years later he wanted to get his GCSEs.

After passing maths in 2016, this year he took English at Suffolk New College and passed with a 6.

Afterwards, he expressed a desire to go on a creative writing course, and was left shocked when he was offered a break by HF Holidays to work on his skills.

"When I was young I used to read a lot of short stories, and I always thought I'd like to do that one day," Mr Davey told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"Totally out of the blue, I got a call. I've been given a week's holiday in the Peak District – it's a creative writing and walking holiday.

"I am very, very grateful. It's maybe a first step to getting a little tuition in creative writing, which is my goal."

He will head to the Peak District in February where he will enjoy a mixture of group and one-on-one creative writing tutoring before enjoying walks with his fellow group members.

'Zest for life'

Louise Haywood, senior marketing manager at HF Holidays, said Mr Davey was inspiring.

"We're always looking for advocates of learning a new skill, trying something new for the first time, having that zest for life that Danny really has," she said.

"We read he was looking to further his creative writing studies, and that sort of holiday offers a mix of creative writing but also walking, getting out in the fresh air, and that's what we're all about.

"It's wonderful. He's done this all himself – he made that decision to go out and do the GCSE once he reached his retirement and he found that free time.

"It's so inspiring and that's what made us think he would be perfect to advocate for HF Holidays.

"Hearing that he's really excited about the trip is just lovely."