Richard Hines, younger brother to ‘Kes’ author Barry and the inspiration behind the classic book and film, has published his memoirs this week. Mike Cotton talks to him about his story.
HE became a deputy headteacher, a film maker and a university lecturer but without Kes Richard Hines would have had a very different life.
Just like the fictional character Billy Casper, Richard had a terrible time at school after failing his 11 plus and suffered cruelty at the hands of his teachers. But one day he came across a nest of kestrels. Instantly captivated, he sought out ancient falconry texts from Barnsley Library just like Billy, and pored over the strange and beautiful language.
These two facets to his life inspired his brother’s book A Kestrel For A Knave which became the classic film ‘Kes’ in 1969.
Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle
