by Alan Quick

HOLSWORTHY builder Robert Field is celebrating the launch of "501", his first published novel.

Set in the fictitious "George Inn", a pub that could be situated in any town or city in the country, "501" explores what lies beneath the camaraderie of pub life and follows the life stories of the ladies darts’ team, "Six of the Best".

The book weaves the narratives of Katy, Irish, Maggie, Lena, Scottie Dog and Pegs whom are all reaching a crux in their lives and the darts’ team is a constant they can rely on.

The book tackles all manner of subjects including affairs, broken marriages, incest and sexual assault.

"501" has already attracted the attention of national darts’ celebrities: "501 kept me hooked from beginning to end. Darts is one of the UK’s most popular pastimes and yet no-one writes about the bond developed by darts’ teams. It’s the type of sport that keeps working class communities together, keeps trade in local pubs strong throughout the year and gets the unlikeliest of characters together. ’501’ for all its dark plot twists and turns, tells that story," commented Lakeside World Darts Champion and TV commentator, Scotty Dog Mitchell.

Robert Field said: "High television ratings, £250k jackpots, thriving leagues and royal fans such as Prince Harry means that darts is finally being taken seriously as a sport but it’s so much more than that to the people who play together in league and area teams.

"It’s community, it’s contact, it’s familiarity, it’s banter - but how well do you ever really know the people you play and practice with week in and out? This was my inspiration for ’501’."

"501" was originally written as a six part TV series.  It is the first published book by Field who has a further back catalogue of four books under consideration by one of London’s top publishing houses.

Robert Field began writing in his 50’s and, to-date, has had several plays performed onstage and he’s been shortlisted for the Carlton Broadcasting Awards.

A previously written novel was also considered by Yorkshire Television with a view towards the production of a three-part adaptation.

Robert Field was born into a large Catholic family in the Midlands in the late 40’s and his father, a war veteran, took agricultural work to provide housing – in the tied-cottage system - for the family.

This way of life involved constant moves across the country that were mainly instigated by Field’s mother who, because of her traveller roots, found it difficult to settle for any length of time.

The family was frequently on the breadline and at 15 years-old, and despite being an A stream student, Field left school in order to relieve the financial pressure on his family.

After working at various jobs he trained and qualified as a builder and, over the years, he has employed those skills in the UK and in Europe. Now happily married with three children, and four others by previous relationships, Field still struggles with the restlessness instilled in him by his early life.

The author, a keen observer, has played darts in several teams and locations over the years and would like it to be known that any similarity to any league players, past and present, is purely coincidental. All of the characters, anecdotes or personality traits in his fictitious tale are just that. Fiction.

"501" can be purchased from Crediton Community Bookshop, via the website: robert-field.com or from Amazon books.