Friday 19 January 2024

SIR ALAN COCKSHAW - BUILDING BRIDGES - CONNECTING PEOPLE

 SIR ALAN COCKSHAW 

BUILDING BRIDGES - CONNECTING PEOPLE

How to Order

HARDBACK  £20  & UK postage £4.50

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR MOBILE 0755 2086888

Bank transfer details    Lynn Davidson      Barclays
20 83 69        83948145  please insert COCKSHAW as bank reference

Building Bridges - Connecting People is an examination of the life and work of one of the UK’s most distinguished civil engineers. Written in his inimitable style, it is an engaging portrait of a driven man and his charm and lust for life. In this fascinating autobiography, readers will learn about Sir Alan’s early years and his engineering education under esteemed mentors, showing both the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight.
 
It is an honest story but also a useful historical document, giving a contemporary account of some major infrastructure developments written from an engineer’s point of view. It outlines the combination of grappling with technical problems, and the added challenges of politics.
 
His forty years of involvement in urban regeneration, vast business leadership experience and local knowledge were invaluable during the regeneration of Hulme and the rebuilding of Manchester city centre.
 
Sir Alan discusses his belief that engineers are problem solvers not problem creators. He emphasizes that the future of engineering requires more cooperation and partnering which would provide huge cost savings and greater efficiencies. He discusses the need for local and central government and the private sector to work together for the benefit of society as a whole. 

AUTHOR

Sir Alan Cockshaw is a highly respected figure in the business world. Born in Manchester he spent his early career in both the public and private sectors. He became the Chief Executive of Fairclough Civil Engineering in 1978 and a Director of Amec in 1982 before his appointment as Group Chief Executive in 1984. In 1988 he became Chairman until his retirement in 1997.

 He was Chairman of Manchester Millenium (1996-2000), English Partnerships and Commission for the New Towns (1998-2001) and Roxboro plc (1998-2002).

He became a Director of Pidemco, Singapore (1991-2001), Director of CapitaLand, Singapore & UK, and the International Advisory Board (2001-2007).

He was Chairman of the Governors of Bolton School (1997-2007) and Chairman of the Major Projects Association (2005-2010).

 He became a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1986 and was President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1997-98). He holds two Honorary Doctorates from Manchester and Salford Universities.

He was knighted in 1992.

FOREWORD

by

The Rt Hon. the Lord Heseltine CH

It is a curiosity of ministerial life that there is no formal process of training. One day you are a backbencher with a constituency to look after aided by whatever public or private sector experience that preceded your election to the House of Commons. A day later you are seated behind a desk appropriate to the dignity and status as one of His Majesty’s ministers responsible for policy direction over a myriad of issues about which you may have little knowledge or experience. You will of course, have a feel for what your party expects of you! An outside observer may feel that there must be a better way to run a whelk stall.

I revert to the concept of training ministers. If I were to design such a scheme Alan’s book would be required reading. He brings the objectivity of a trained professional to the multi-disciplined challenges of public policy. I share his view that once an objective has been set the first essential is to put someone in charge and create a mechanism to deliver. Results will invariably depend on cooperation between the public and private sectors based on an understanding of the essential contributions that both can bring. He makes the important point that as many of the problems to be solved have similarities abroad it makes sense to see how other countries cope.

There is a fashion to promote recently graduated party enthusiasts to act as political advisers to ministers. I never did that but time and again I appointed advisers to bring their specialist expertise into the heart of the civil service. Alan’s story is a role model of how men and women with proven track records can be attracted into public service for the enrichment of us all.

 



Sir Alan and his wife Brenda have four adult children and live in the Manchester area.

 


MICHAEL SAUNDERS - FROM BARBED WIRE TO MOORLAND


MICHAEL SAUNDERS - FROM BARBED WIRE TO MOORLAND

Proceeds from the sale of books will go to Médecins Sans Frontières.

How to Order

HARDBACK  £14.50  & UK postage £3

SOFTBACK £9.50  & UK postage £3

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR MOBILE 0755 2086888

Bank transfer details    Lynn Davidson      Barclays
20 83 69        83948145  please insert SAUNDERS as bank reference

AUTHOR

Michael Saunders has led a full and varied life, dominated by roles as a medical neurologist and an Anglian priest. His journey is both challenging and at times painful as he discusses his personal battle with a slow progressive form of muscular dystrophy leaving him as a full time wheel-chair user.

The author shares his life story and reflects on a time of transition in medicine and the practice of Christianity. He is open about his struggles with mental health and the movement from an exclusivist conservative evangelical version of Christianity to religious pluralism. This book emphasises the importance of intellectual honesty in any journey of self-discovery.

Michael is a retired consultant neurologist and Church of England priest. He spent many years in both roles simultaneously and has worked predominately in North East England and North Yorkshire. He spent a short time as a medical missionary in South India before returning to the UK through ill health. He is married to a retired psychiatrist and has four adult children and lives in the Yorkshire Dales.


AUTHORS WIFE, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

This book is the story of a life starting on the South Coast of England just before World War Two and nearing completion in a historic small market town in North Yorkshire, at the foot of beautiful moorland, in the 21st century. The period represents a time of transition for the three most important things that have fashioned me. These are religion, medicine and a progressive muscle disease that has resulted in disabilities. I describe my religious and spiritual journey to ordination as an Anglican priest and subsequent ministry, life as a medical neurologist, and the diagnosis and progression of a form of muscular dystrophy.

The practice of formal Christianity has declined in the West. All-embracing dogmatic frameworks no longer impact on the majority of people. Advances in science challenge forms of religion that do not adapt to new knowledge. Young people have difficulty connecting with the established Church in the United Kingdom that is unable to embrace issues related to human sexual orientation and gender identity and at the same time unable to deal effectively with institutional sexual abuse. Increased global awareness has unveiled the challenge that other great faiths bring to Christian exclusivism. Instead of a move towards Christian liberalism, there seems to be a retreat into conservative Christianity during my lifetime. Large ‘successful’ churches may appear to suggest a general flourishing in churchgoing, but this is illusory. We live in a secular state. I describe my struggles with dogmatic Christianity, leading to a more open faith. I conclude that the majority of people who describe themselves as Christians are not within the walls of Christendom in the country I inhabit.

The practice of medicine has changed dramatically due to scientific progress. Many diseases are now treatable, and life expectancy has increased globally, but unequally. The advent of new imaging techniques and laboratory advances makes disease diagnosis more straightforward and accurate. Discoveries in genetics have enabled better classification of groups of disorders and novel treatment options. The development of vaccines has reduced the impact of some infectious diseases and eradicated smallpox. Yet, other new infections have occurred, including AIDS and the Covid pandemic. The discovery of antibiotics has reduced the mortality and morbidity of bacterial infections, although antibiotic resistance has emerged as a challenge to their effective use.

Society takes a more enlightened attitude towards people with impairments and disabilities. Advances in equipment design and development have reduced handicap, and there are more accessible buildings. Legislation has enhanced progress.

Unfortunately, aids for people like myself, with muscular dystrophy and other neurological diseases may be expensive and unavailable through the National Health Service. Self-funding or charitable donations fill the void in service provision.

My family has been my inspiration. I pay tribute to their love and support through good times and bad. They may not share my opinions all the time, but we have discussed and argued in a way that only families can. Although my days have been happy, privileged and fulfilling, there have been periods of difficulty and sadness. Although it is tempting to omit such episodes, they are part of me. There is no point in recalling a sequence of events without reflection, but I have tried to place any sorrows in perspective. I have seen enough poverty and suffering in this world to realise that I have lived a good life, full of interest and meaning. 





Friday 5 January 2024

Dr Martin O'Dell - MAKING A DIFFERENCE - A CIVIL ENGINEER'S WORLD

 

How to order

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - A CIVIL ENGINEER'S WORLD
HARDBACK 250 photographs in text 393 pages

UK
                   HARDBACK £22  & UK postage £4.50

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR MOBILE 0755 2086888

I REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO COMPLETE YOUR ORDER

Author's name or book and the number of copies required.

Your details NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER                                           

Bank transfer details    Lynn Davidson      Barclays 20 83 69 83948145  

SWIFT BUKBGB22      IBAN  GB49BUKB20836983948145

please insert O'Dell as the bank reference


Conquest of the 7th continent



The family: Rowan, Oscar, Kylie and
Nicholas at back with Robyn, Ava and myself seated


HOW TO ORDER FROM AUSTRALIA 
HARDBACK A$44.00 & A$10.60 Postage within Austalia
Contact Martin O’Dell directly providing your name, address and telephone number:

By post: 22 Gardiner Parade, Glen Iris, Vic 3146     
By Mobile: +61  412196605      
Payment details will be provided with an invoice once the order has been confirmed


REVIEW: 

Making a Difference is highly recommended reading.   S M Baint

Few books about engineering engage the general reader. Engineering work is considered too specialized for the general reading public and engineers are given little credit for the work they do. Or as Martin O’Dell writes, while medics deservedly get praise, ‘engineers often go unsung’. Making a Difference is the exception.

Meet the engineer who sets out to rectify the omission, an attitude that reflects his approach to some of the most daunting engineering projects around the world. If there is a problem: solve it. If something is lacking: fill the gap. If the dam wall leaks fix it. 

Martin O’Dell, a civil engineer, has written a compelling adventure story about his work in twenty-one countries, constructing, amongst other things, mega-sized dams, sewerage plants, and village water supplies. The word ‘adventure’ is used advisedly. One of the most attractive features of the book is the way it generates the author’s enthusiasm and optimism about the countries he visits, even in the face of physical danger and bureaucratic procrastination. Life is an adventure full of challenges and opportunities and he meets life full on. The result, as the title promises, is that he has made a difference to the lives of millions of people. 

It is a transformative book. After reading, you can never again take for granted having a shower, flushing the toilet, or turning on the tap for a drink of water. What is a ‘norm’ for us, however, has been denied to so many communities around the world. Martin O’Dell and his teams set out to make these basic amenities possible, bringing sanitation and water to underprivileged peoples, changing their lives forever.

While this book deals with the technological problems involved in building dams and sewerage systems (quite a specialized interest) it is above all a book about people. Throughout his career, Martin consulted with local engineers and local communities as an essential part of his projects. He was always conscious that no job could be satisfactorily completed without the aid and co-operation of local expertise.

He listened to what people wanted and when engaging with a new project readily accepted advice from local experts. People were central to success, whether it was co-operating with Zulu Chieftains in Southern Africa, or members of the Snowdonia Board in North Wales, or the Palestinian Surveyor (Abdul Latif) in Saudi Arabia. 

Martin was appointed the Deputy Project Manager for building the Mudhiq Dam in Saudi Arabia and he gives a telling insight into the complexities of such an undertaking: ‘…roads and tunnels; bridges; huge concrete pours; large-scale mechanical works; major temporary works; building works; survey and monitoring; and the need for innovative design.’ 

One of the more distressing aspects of his work was learning to accept the customs of societies very different to his own. For example, the occasions when he was faced with what to him were draconian Sharia laws that could not be appealed. ‘The right hand was amputated for theft. For murder, rape, or drug offences the sentence was beheading.’  He reports the situation with a typical dry, ironic humour: ‘“Chop square” saw action on many Fridays.’

Dr Martin O’Dell was no armchair academic. During his late adolescence, with few academic qualifications to his name, he was at a loss as to what career path to follow. A chance encounter with his school’s Deputy Head turned out to be fortuitous: ‘You are good at Latin, Larry (his nickname), so why not consider civil engineering?’  Quirky advice and he never did understand the link between Latin and engineering.  But the world can be grateful that he took up the challenge. 

BOOK

From an inauspicious start of not knowing what career to embark on, wading through multiple options and initially receiving uninviting job offers, Martin (Larry) carved out a remarkable life as a civil engineer in the water sector. He worked in many parts of the world, undertaking challenging projects, and meeting engaging people along the way. 

Martin’s memoir weaves the technical aspects of his work with wonderful experiences of living and travelling through countries with diverse political and social cultures.

Martin grew up in St Albans, Hertfordshire in the period after the war when children could be carefree. They were expected to go out and play in the street or the woods from morning until dusk and come home for tea!

There were few restrictions, no one worried, and we were OK. No bike helmets, no concern about hitch-hiking, no seat belts and no drink driving laws! How did we survive?

After six years at university in the revolutionary years of 63 to 69 (Beatles to Woodstock), Martin headed for the big wide world, starting in Africa, and rarely returning to the UK. He met his wife Robyn in Australia and together they explored the world. Two children along the way made travel a challenge on occasion.

Martin and Robyn live in Melbourne close to their two sons and two grandchildren.

Martin and his wife Robyn on an artic adventure
PREFACE

This is an adventure story for surely that is what life is supposed to be. It describes the highlights of my lifetime as a civil engineer in the international arena and the many varied challenges and pleasure opportunities it has afforded. It is a personal adventure starting with the uncertainty of what to do with one’s life, as I imagine many do.
My career spanned the construction of large, heavy civil engineering projects, through to small water supply schemes, engaging closely with village communities. It covered a forty-five-year time period, twenty-seven of those working overseas in twenty-one different countries, contributing to the improved livelihoods of millions of people in the developing world. It also witnessed huge technological changes from slide-rule to laptop.

The engineering projects have been presented in scale, range and the unusual, rather than technical detail. All have had their highlights; few have had downsides.

I have revelled in my career and all the fascinating experiences that have come with it. Such pleasure was enhanced by my wife, Robyn, who was able to embrace the years living abroad, occasionally in difficult circumstances, and who had to put up with me being away from home, sometimes for months on end. Our sons, Rowan and Nicholas, survived their upbringing. They enjoyed their time in foreign countries, what they can remember of it, they certainly added to our experiences.

I have written my story primarily for myself, to enjoy it all over again, and again, and again – with each subsequent edit! It would also be a shame not to document the experiences of a lifetime for children and grandchildren and for anyone else who might be thinking of heading along a similar path. Of course, these are my memories and they may not always be entirely accurate. So, forgive me if anyone believes I have bent some truths, but who lets facts get in the way of a good story.








Thursday 4 January 2024

Sir James Carlisle - A Life Shaped by Extraordinary Circumstances

 

How to order

A Life Shaped by Extraordinary Circumstances

                   HARDBACK £20  & postage £4.50

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields,         Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB UK cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR MOBILE 00 44 755 2086888

By bank transfer: Lynn Davidson, Barclays, 20 83 69    83948145

SWIFT BUKBGB22      IBAN  GB49BUKB20836983948145

Presentation at Antigua book launch Feb 2024

Sir James and Lady Carlisle after the investiture
Grandchildren


After completing his elementary education at Bolans Public School, Antigua, Sir James was appointed as a pupil teacher at the same school. He continued to study by taking a number of General Certificate of Education Courses by correspondence. Eager to acquire higher education he emigrated to Britain where he planned to work and study. He attended evening classes at the Working Men’s College in St Pancras, London and Northwestern Polytechnic, Kentish Town, London. 


In 1961 he joined the Royal Air Force where he was trained as a medic /decompression operator. While in the military Sir James took advantage of the educational opportunities offered. Following his demob in 1966 he attended the Northampton College of Technology where he took a number of A-level science courses. In 1967 he was admitted to the University of Dundee to study dentistry. He graduated as a dental surgeon in 1972.

He was employed in the National Health Service for seven years before returning to Antigua where he became involved with a number of community and charitable projects. When the first Governor-General, Sir Wilfred Jacobs retired due to ill health, the prime minister recommended him to Her Majesty the Queen to be appointed to the post. He served in this capacity for fourteen years (1993-2007).

 

COAT OF ARMS

Sir James has been the recipient of a number of Honours and Awards:

Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).

Knight of Justice of the Order of St John (KStJ).

Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (KGN).

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Sheba (GCQS).

A Banner and Plate of the Order of St Michael and St George. These are permanently displayed in St Paul’s Cathedral, London.

Coat of Arms from the Royal College of Arms, London.

Doctor of Laws ad hominem (LLD) from Andrews University, USA.

Fellowship in Dental Surgery (FDS) ad hominem from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Centennial Fellow of the Royal College of Edinburgh in 2005. His name is engraved in the Hall of the famous Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Membership of the British Dental Association.

Fellowship of the International College of Dentists (FICD).

Charter member of the International Academy of Laser Dentists.


Book launch Antigua

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5cy6bNKBxY


REVIEWS/ARTICLES

Office of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua News Room

 
https://www.facebook.com/OPMAntiguaBarbuda/?locale=en_GB

Former Governor General Sir James Carlisle pens autobiography. Makes Presentation to Prime Minister Browne

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 7th March 2024…..Former Governor General, Sir James Carlisle, who served in the post from 1993 to 2007, has penned an autobiography that chronicles his life from humble beginnings to ascending to the office of Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.

Sir James, accompanied by his wife, Lady Emma, made a presentation of the book to Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Tuesday. He told the prime minister that he had very good reasons for writing the book. It is entitled ‘A Life Shaped by Extraordinary Circumstances’ and it traces Sir James’ life from childhood in Bolans to his journey to the UK and his quest for higher learning, his service in the Royal Air Force and his decision to study as a doctor specializing in dentistry. He later returned to Antigua to open his dental office. He was appointed as Governor General following the death of Sir Wilfred Jacobs.

“I remember after Sir Wilfred Jacobs had passed and I had assumed office, a reporter came to Government House and queried ‘what should I write about him. I know nothing of him (Sir Wilfred). I don’t want that to happen to me. This is my attempt at leaving my footprints in the sand of time,” Sir James remarked.

The former governor general told the prime minister that despite having ‘mobility issues’ he felt that it was important for him to visit the Office of the Prime Minister to make the presentation to him in person.

In response, PM Browne thanked Sir James for the gift of the book and also thanked him for his many years of service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

“You have certainly made your mark and it is good that you have documented it as I have seen too many instances of people trying to re-write history. So, where we fail to document, we allow for this mis-interpretation of facts. You are from humble beginnings and have risen to the top office in our country; you have made your contribution and having it documented is a good thing. What is good too is that it is an autobiography written by you so it doesn’t get more authentic than that,” he observed.

The prime minister also expressed the hope that other officials who have made significant contributions would follow the example set by Sir James to write their respective stories. “This would avoid leaving the interpretations to others or having them made the subject of political spin. I must give you credit for having the discipline to actually sit down and write your life’s work. Others have had the ability, but did not possess that discipline which is required to undertake a project such as this,” PM Browne noted.

According to the prime minister, Sir James’ time in office was one of exemplary work and honour that he brought to the office.

Additionally, both Sir James and the PM Browne called on young people in the country to look past their current circumstances and to set themselves lofty goals and to strive to achieve them.

Bolans to his journey to the UK and his quest for higher learning, his service in the Royal Air Force and his decision to study as a doctor specialising in dentistry. He later returned to Antigua to open his dental office. He was appointed as Governor-General following the death of Sir Wilfred Jacobs. “I remember after Sir Wilfred Jacobs had passed and I had assumed office, a reporter came to Government House and queried ‘what should I write about him. I know nothing of him (Sir Wilfred). I don’t want that to happen to me. This is my attempt at leaving my footprints in the sand of time,” Sir James remarked. Both Sir James and PM Browne called on young people in the country to look past their current circumstances and to set themselves lofty goals and to strive to achieve them.’

INSTAGRAM – Faith Smith USA

To hear my father’s story most people wouldn’t believe it. So what should you do when you have had a life shaped by extraordinary circumstances? You should definitely write a book! From being one of the best-dressed children in his village to then losing his father and it all at the age of 5, forced to go barefoot, sell coal and cut sugarcane to help his family survive. Literally fighting against all odds, he managed to turn his days of walking in the slums into 14 years of walking into the Palace of Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth ll. My dad went from leaving a country he thought he would never return to, into leading his country. I always say I don’t have a story to tell. Because hearing my father’s life story I’m always like wow, I ain’t got nothing amazing to share.
But you know what? With a dad like mine who needs their own story 😂I just tell his. It’s amazing for the both of us! 


Wednesday 14 June 2023

TERRY PATTERSON LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON

 

How to order

LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON

PRICE SOFTBACK £9.99                    HARDBACK £14.99      & p & p £4.50

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.
Cheque payable to Lynn Davidson

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR mOBILE 0755 2086888

By bank transfer: Lynn Davidson, Barclays, 20 83 69    83948145


Elizabeth Watson is eighteen and from North Shields, a small fishing town in the North East of England she moves to work in Yorkshire during the Second World War.

 It is whilst working as a telecommunications operator that she meets Buzz Beurling, a tall handsome Canadian Spitfire Squadron Leader. She falls madly in love with him. Buzz is sent on a dangerous mission and his plane is shot down. Is he alive or dead? Elizabeth doesn’t know. After six months of receiving no news, Elizabeth is resigned to thinking the latter.

 She returns home and it is there that she meets Charlie Millsap a shipyard welder and pigeon fancier. Elizabeth finds herself in a convenient relationship with a man she doesn’t love. She is forced to marry Charlie when her staunch catholic parents discover she is pregnant. Elizabeth enters a loveless marriage only on the condition that she makes all the decisions.

 Elizabeth is determined to give her daughter Laura everything that she never had. Laura is warned from a very early age never to allow a man to have a controlling influence over her. Laura is ambitious and wants to get on in the world. She lands a highly sought-after job in the perfume department of Fenwick’s in Newcastle.

 It is there that she learns how the other girls have men drooling over them. She is on her way home and awaiting a bus in the Haymarket when a young man taps her on the shoulder. Albert Kinnear is a librarian who has moved from Devon to live on The Ridges estate with his parents after his father lands a top engineering job at Parsons.

 Albert likes the young girl and asks her out on a date. Laura likes him too but remembers what her mother has instilled in her and she treats Albert with contempt.

 Elisabeth Millsap leaves behind a secret that is only revealed after her death.

 

AUTHOR

Terry Patterson was born in North Shields in 1956 and went to Ralph Gardiner secondary modern school. He left with no formal qualifications and began his working life at fifteen years old as an apprentice fish filleter on North Shields fish quay. Terry was bullied at school because of his disability. He wore a calliper and had one foot considerably smaller than the other. Termed a congenital talipes or claw foot. He joined the North Shields Boys Club Boxing Team in 1967.

It was there he was taught how to box by Joe Myers, a black ex-professional.  Terry's boxing career would last twenty-two years with him winning national honours as a schoolboy junior and senior boxer. He boxed several times as an international. A veteran of over 200 bouts he passed the advanced ABA Coaching exam in 1982 and was involved with coaching youngsters until 1986.  Until Terry sustained an industrial accident.

Terry undeterred tried his hand at another sport; Snooker and won the area DSE Disabled Sport England Snooker Championship five years in a row. In 1996 he qualified as a professional snooker referee and travelled all over the country refereeing matches. He refereed at the PIOS tournaments in Prestatyn in Wales and got his England call up to referee the Maltese open in 1997. In 2002 Terry became North Tyneside's first World Professional Snooker Coach. He'd been coaching youngsters on a regular basis at Wallsend Supa Snooker for disabled and able-bodied youngsters. He formed the combination challenge trophy whereby able-bodied players could team up with disabled players and then compete against like-minded competitors. He also created the Six Ball Shootout for disabled and beginners so they could finish a game. Many wheelchair players found it too exhausting to play a full game. Terry has given thirty-two years of his life to coaching two different sports.

Terry threw himself into college work at North Tyneside taking A-level fine art and design, English literature, history, sociology, and psychology. He also did health social care courses 1.2.3 then went back to work as a volunteer at Percy Hedley training centre working with clients who had Cerebral Palsy. He stayed there for over a year and got to meet HRH Prince Andrew when he came on a visit.  He spent five years working in various care homes until the injuries he sustained over the years got the better of him and he had to have a pacemaker fitted. To fill the void Terry who had always done bits of poetry and short stories as a young boy began to write.

To date Terry has written forty-eight novellas and two novels, Like Mother like Son and He Who Rides a Tiger.  He has written twenty-four plays and continues to write every day. 

REVIEWS

Jennifer MaughanI've started reading the book Terry and looking forward to reading the rest I used to live on the Meadowell estate when I was a teenager I lived in Ripley Avenue so I can relate to your past and I hope you go far with your books.

Mawreen Hood Well done for yesterday Terry. I enjoyed your talk and am so pleased I came. It was very interesting and I believe you had your audience captivated. I purchased your book and look forward to reading it.

Terry Christie Terry Patterson is a pure gentleman. I met Terry when I was only about 11 years of age when I boxed for North Shields East End Boys Club and Terry gave up so much of his time to pass on to us the great boxing skills and knowledge he gained over the years. I don’t even know if Terry realises how much of a great impression and ambassador/mentor he was to us young boxing hopefuls. So many great fighters who did brilliantly are a credit to Terry.

I wish Terry all the very best with his book sales.  Terry my friend you are a legend.

Ralph MasonSometimes, once in a lifetime comes one person, one man. A man who I have the privilege of knowing, and a dear friend. Terry Patterson. A man who loves his roots, a man who writes these wonderful stories of everyday people, living everyday lives in and around North Shields. His stories portray events in the lives of fictional people, but also uses names of the friends he knows in the wonderful little town we all hold dear.

Dedication is a really special word. For a really special man...My good friend. A treasure living amongst us...

Carla M Junghans  - Was lovely for my mam Joyce Junghans to see her and my dad's old time friend Terry Patterson. I love hearing their stories from the 'olden days'. Well done Terry I look forward to reading the book after mam.

Mary HodgsonI am halfway through this book and absolutely love it and brings back memories of Bridge Road South and The Ridges the club on stilts, Collingwood youth club and various other clubs that have been mentioned in your book. An absolutely brilliant read and I definitely recognise people and places.

Shawn FenwickYou gave a great talk today, Terry. You’re a very powerful storyteller and you may not have noticed, but we all sat in silence listening to every word you said. Your memory is amazing! Maybe you should start writing your biography.

Christine HarrisAbsolutely fantastic just love reading these.

Margaret TaitI'm on the edge of my seat

Alan Hassell - Wonderful read, thank you.

Jackie Davis - Brilliant, this story would make a fantastic film.


 



Friday 14 April 2023

A DIPLOMATIC LIFE John Harrison

                                 A DIPLOMATIC LIFE

John Harrison

Softback £11.50 & £3.00   P & P   UK 

How to order  


 By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.
Cheque payable to Lynn Davidson

By Email memoirclub@msn.com

By bank transfer: Lynn Davidson, Barclays, 20 83 69    83948145


John Harrison was born into a diplomatic family. His father and maternal grandfather were both diplomats. He therefore developed a taste for foreign travel at an early age. Adventurous journeys to visit his parents in Brazil and Iran provide a forerunner to his subsequent career.
He carved out his own route across the world with postings to Burma, Laos, Ethiopia, Turkey, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Pakistan and finally as High Commissioner in Mauritius. All these assignments were interspersed with important jobs in London in both the Cabinet Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

He was witness to a number of military coups and their aftermath. Political drama was never far away and living conditions were often difficult. Amusing and untoward incidents abounded, as did opportunities to meet people from different cultures and travel to exotic and rarely visited parts of the world. Personal and family life are woven inextricably into his various professional roles, including the huge support received from his wife Jenny.
Since retirement in 1997, he has lived in Hampshire enjoying gardening, golf, more travel and family life.

INTRODUCTION

When my three children all got married within the next few years, and then grandchildren started coming along, I began to realise that none of them had much idea about my early life apart from snippets picked up in random family conversations. The children had no choice but to blend into the slightly unusual way of life my wife, Jenny, and I were leading. Being largely overseas meant that they did not have the firm roots that other UK-based families had.

The same had applied to me, having been born into a diplomatic family. We seemed to be regularly packing up and on the move. Not that I minded too much. I enjoyed the travel opportunities and I was fortunate to have the fallback of a welcoming wider family based mainly in Sussex.

Our four grandchildren were born within five years of each other. When they were young I had great fun reading and telling them bedtime stories. I invented a little pink pig that had strayed into our garden and had various meetings and adventures with the likes of Peter Rabbit (we had a vegetable area), Squirrel Nutkin and the Gruffalo with his mouse (who all lived in our small piece of woodland). I was always being asked for more, but I was running out of ideas and they were getting older.

It then occurred to me that I had actually myself had some quite exotic real-life adventures around the world, which might in due course be of interest to them. So I started writing up some of my early life experiences, mainly travels, but without really thinking at the time that this could develop into a full scale memoir. I had periodically kept a diary, and indeed quite a detailed one of travels to interesting places. I then began to join the dots; boarding schools, university life, holiday periods with kind relatives, joining the Foreign Office and first posts overseas. There seemed to be plenty of material from Burma, Ethiopia and Turkey worth writing about, not to mention what happened thereafter.

There would be a long road ahead requiring some detailed research and memory racking. But with more leisure time and long winter evenings it seemed feasible. So I persevered and dug deeper into my official life. Lockdown from coronavirus in early 2020 helped to increase the momentum. I received encouragement from friends and former colleagues, particularly Sir Jeremy Thomas, my ambassador in Luxembourg, and Sir Nicholas Barrington, my boss in both London and Pakistan.

Fortunately my mother had kept and returned to me most of the letters I had written home from overseas as well as Jenny’s very full newsletters. Between them they contained first-hand accounts of, and comments on, activities, events, visits and so on. They also provided valuable source information on names of places and people plus dates which might otherwise have become a little hazy. It took time sorting out the ephemeral from the more substantive items, which often then had to be related to the wider local context. But it was absorbing work, and a far cry from the original bedside or family stories.

Special thanks go to my wife, Jenny, who has been such a support since we first met at a UN Conference in Geneva in 1966. She has had to put up with periods of hardship and difficulty, both in England and overseas but, as will be apparent, we have shared many good times as well. She has helpfully remembered for me some of the stories and incidents I have described and, where necessary, corrected points of detail.

I would also like to thank my brothers Bruce and Michael, and also my cousin Bina Arbuthnott, for letting me describe some of the adventures we had together, particularly in the early part of my life. I am grateful too to friends and former colleagues who have encouraged me to tread this path.

More special thanks of course go to my three children James, Carolyn and Sarah who have shared the trials as well as some of the high spots of this long-running saga since they arrived on the scene. I have written this partly for them and their respective spouses Doreen, Dominic and David.

Nor do I wish to forget my parents who started me on this journey into diplomatic life and supported me along the way. I was never going to match the distinguished career of my father, Sir Geoffrey Harrison. A pity he did not put pen to paper in his retirement apart from a few lectures. But I may have derived some inspiration for this book from my mother who, in her nineties, published some memoirs called On the Fringe under the name of Katherine Harrison describing her experiences living in the realms of Hitler and Stalin.

REVIEW

Warmest congratulations on your book, which I have bought, read and much admired. Good cover picture, clear print and full of information .... and so concise. I would recommend it to anyone who might be interested.                   Sir Nicholas Barrington

Really enjoyed reading your memoirs .... the places visited, the people met
 
I couldn’t put it down. So well written
 
Really enjoyed your book. You write so well and fluidly. Some amazing travels
 
Greatly enjoyed reading your book .... gives helpful insights into the life of a diplomat
 
Most interesting .... a life lived to the full and often at full tilt
 
I was instantly hooked. Especially enjoyed reading about all your adventures
 
A good read