Funnyman Brian compiles humorous stories

Funnyman Brian compiles humorous stories

7 April 2021

FOR over 40 years Brian Johnston has been involved in entertainment, compering concerts and appearing at after dinner functions and events for numerous church, charitable and other organisations throughout the province and further afield.

Ten years ago Brian, who lives near Temple, published a collection of the stories he has told over the years. That book has been bought by people of all ages and from every walk of life, with many of them finding their way right across the world.

The money raised, in excess of £8,000, has all been for charity, initially for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and more recently for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Over the past year or two, Brian has been often asked when he was going to bring out another book, so 12 months ago at the start of lockdown, he decided that it would be a good time to put pen to paper.

The result is ‘More Humorous Stories’, which has just been released. Again, all money raised will to go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Brian has always enjoyed entertaining through the guise of other characters, and so many years ago he created the ‘man hunting’ cleaning woman, ‘Daisy Hardcastle’ and ‘Wee Billy’, the mischievous schoolboy. So in addition to over 260 stories, he has included the dialogue that these two have shared with audiences over the years.

He feels privileged that the distinguished journalist Alf McCreary has been kind enough to write the foreword for the book, which includes the following words:

“Humour is one of the great joys at any time, but following the long period of lockdown and the great suffering caused by the pandemic, we need humour more than ever before. So I congratulate Brian on his inspired efforts and I wish him every success in this new and welcome venture.”

Brian says the Motor Neurone Disease Association, like so many other charities, has suffered greatly over the past 12 months, with limited opportunities for fundraising events to take place.

“Hopefully sales of this little book will help them to continue the tremendous work that they do,” he remarked.

“The money they raise is used to provide patient care locally, including the provision of specialist equipment, and also for continued support of research into this terrible disease.”

Anyone interested in purchasing the book can contact Brian either by email: brianmjohnston@btinternet.com or by telephoning him on 07773 765781.