A LOCAL man who suffers from a rare and life-threatening brain disease has been nominated for a Triumph Over Adversity award after opening a successful micro pub.

James Taylor, 61, of Staincross Common, suffered a severe brain injury last year as a result of limbic encephalitis - a condition where the body's own antibodies attack part of the brain.

He was given a slim chance of survival, as the illness can often cause death or paraplegia. Prior to the onset of his illness in April 2016 James was fit and healthy, single-handedly running the Two Roses brewery in Darton and was in the process of opening the Arcade Alehouse in the town centre.

Thanks to the help of his wife, Sue, and soon-to-be son-in-law, David Wilcox, the pub opened on time and has been a roaring success, winning CAMRA's Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year awards.

Upon hearing he had been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley Award, James said: "This has come as a really nice surprise. "To be honest, I'm lucky to be alive. "I was given a 10 to 15 per cent chance of survival so I'm lucky to still be here."

He added: "One of the impacts of the illness is that I'm very emotional.  When I found out I had been nominated I cried as well. I sent a message to the kids on Whatsapp saying I had been nominated for a Triumph over Adversity award.

"I told them, 'I'm your mum's adversity.'"

One of the lasting effects of the encephalitis is that chunks of James's memory are missing and his cognitive abilities have been affected when it comes to processing things such as routes.

"I was doing things like ordering beer and forgetting, then it was turning up and I had no idea that I had ordered it," said James.

"I go to the post office for the change every Monday and Saturday morning and I can get there absolutely fine, but then I might set off one day and go the wrong way. I'm told I have changed, but I think I'm just the same as I always was."

When James was taken ill he couldn't remember that he was opening his own pub and couldn't believe it when he was told by his family. Now he says he feels like the pub is his, but he has struggled letting go of his 'baby', the Two Roses brewery in Darton.

He said: "I had the best job when we were opening this place as I was in a hospital bed. "If it hadn't been or the encephalitis I would have carried on doing what I was doing. "I would have wanted to give it up on my own terms, but my hand was forced."

James is now assisting the new brewer who has bought Two Roses in learning the ropes, but still has time to enjoy a pint in the Arcade Alehouse and to get to know his customers.

"My doctor has recommended I go to the pub for my mental wellbeing," he said. "It helps my memory and cognitive skills.

"That kind of chitter chatter with people is good. "Since the pub opened I have been behind the bar once. I was behind there for 10 minutes and it was a total disaster."

He added: "One of the things that it has affected is my memory.  One day I might be bouncing my little grandchild on my knee and telling them about the time Wigan won the Challenge Cup final, except I won't know anything about it, because I won't remember it.  It could be quite depressing if you were a depressive person.  But people with encephalitis end up in wheelchairs or dead, so I'll take memory loss every day."