A YORKSHIRE man who survived a quadruple heart bypass and life-threatening condition has shared his experience of 25 years in the pub industry in a new book.

Rodney Cam, 79, of Clifton, near Brighouse, was told he “wouldn’t make it” when he left school but spent time in three different drinking holes, including The Red Lion in Wyke.

His family owned that pub, as well as The Fisherman’s Hut in Cross Green and The Brown Cow in Whitkirk between 1942 and 1967.

The self-published book, aptly titled ‘The Landlord’s Son’, explores life in the pubs during those years, highlighting the social changes Mr Cam encountered, alongside his schooling and early employment.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rodney Cam with a copy of 'The Landlord's Son'Rodney Cam with a copy of 'The Landlord's Son'

Mr Cam said: “Writing the book has been thoroughly enjoyable and given me the opportunity to reflect on my upbringing.

“It gives a light-hearted insight into how pubs were run at the time and how life was back in Yorkshire during the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

“It’s been a working manuscript for several years, but I feel proud to have finally finished it.

“When I left school at the age of 16, I was written off as someone who wouldn’t make it, so to be able to share this book is a lifelong dream come true.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Brown Cow, in Whitkirk. Picture: Google Street ViewThe Brown Cow, in Whitkirk. Picture: Google Street View

The 79-year-old grew up surrounded by the industry alongside parents, Jack and Joan Cam, his grandparents, Bertie and Florrie Greaves, and his younger brother, Michael.

But it has not always been smooth sailing for Mr Cam, who has battled heart issues for the past two decades, after being diagnosed with coronary heart disease at 50.

Mr Cam, who is married to wife Janice, required a quadruple heart bypass and was then fitted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) in 2008 after doctors discovered a problem with his heart rhythm.

This saved the grandfather of five 11 years later when his heart went into a life-threatening rhythm that could have caused a cardiac arrest, sending an electric shock to restore his heart’s pattern.

Mr Cam said: “Just before my bypass, I was undergoing a lot of stress and so I had put any ill health down to that.

“It was only thanks to the excellent diagnosis and treatment at Leeds General Infirmary that I survived.

He added: “My treatment is all down to the advances in medical research and that’s why I’m delighted that my book is raising funds to help support the BHF’s life saving work.”

Profits from the book’s sales will go to the British Heart Foundation, to help the charity continue funding ground-breaking research into all heart and circulatory conditions.

Jodie Shephard, BHF’s Area Fundraising Manager, said the charity is honoured by Mr Cam’s pledge and said he has “an incredible backstory”.