THE MEMORIES of a well-known Somerset man, who sadly passed away this summer, have been compiled into a book that has raised more than £4,000 for charity. 

Graham Watts, who grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Wells, was known in adulthood thanks to his plant hire and agricultural construction business. He built many farm roads and installed silage pits and buildings. 

Graham was one of the first people to see inside the newly discovered cave in Cheddar, and he moved a whole skittle alley in one piece. 

Graham Watts.Graham Watts. (Image: Emma Butler) Whilst in retirement, Graham wrote stories about his life - from childhood up to retirement, and published them anonymously in the village magazine under the pseudonym of 'A Passer By'. 

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When he sadly passed away in the summer of 2024, Graham's family put together his collection of short stories and published them. The book, titled Somerset Tales of a Passer By, is raising money for Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance. 

Graham's daughter, Emma Butler, compiled the book. She said: "Dad enjoyed the countryside, admired nature, even though he knew at times it could be cruel, but growing up on a farm, he had witnessed that nature could give and could easily take away.

"Since his passing dad’s stories have brought comfort to all of those who knew him, through his warming words of past adventures."

A cheque for £4,000 was presented to Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance at the Walled Gardens of Cannington, during an open gardens event. The money was raised from sales of the book, the open gardens and during a charity evening. 

During the event, Emma thanked everyone attending the presentation for their support. 

The book can be found in Brownes Garden Centre in Wells, The Crossways Hotel, The Bird at Westhay and the Walled Gardens of Cannington.