MOVING to Lyme Regis after he “fancied a change of scenery” Terry O’Grady has been a busy man.
Landlord, businessman and DJ in the town, the Cirencester born Mr O’Grady is now setting his sights on becoming a town councillor.
High on his agenda is establishing a club for the town’s young people, something which he believes is vital after attending a club back in Gloucester, which helped define his life and gave him his first taste of being a DJ.
Here DJ TOG tells us his favourite current music, why he’d have a laugh at his own dinner party and why he’ll miss local legend Joe O’Donnell.
WHAT made you want to move to Lyme?
I fancied a change of scenery from my hometown. I was interested in running a bar so ended up in the Harbour Inn on the sea front, where I had a great time. I was there for a couple of years then moved back to Cirencester, but decided I wanted to be back in Lyme.
WHAT do you like about Lyme?
What’s not to like about the town: great atmosphere; great characters; great people; great views; and great pubs. You couldn’t find a better place to live than Lyme; it’s got everything you need.
ANYTHING you would like to see changed?
I’d like to see the club for young people opened. It would be nice to see the trust donate the building back to the town and have somebody local to re-develop it. Then some of us can get in there and get the place refurbished. It should be back as a youth club. And maybe one day a skate park.
WHY do you feel there is a big need for more youth facilities in the town?
I’m from Fairford, Gloucester and there was a huge club there. When we were growing up there the youth provisions were superb. But with cutbacks the young people lose out. I think the young people of Lyme deserve better.
YOU are on the youth consortium and vice chair of the steering committee for young people. How is that developing?
Look at the youth provisions for young people in the town. The recent meeting was one of the most important meetings for young people in the town.
YOU'RE thinking of standing for town councillor. What are you hoping to achieve?
I get frustrated it takes so long for anything to be done. We’ve been waiting 20 years for a skatepark. Without criticising the members of the council, some have been there for years and still there’s no skatepark. We are lucky Lucy Campbell is on the case, and you never know, one day. I’m thinking of standing next year when the election comes up. I think the council needs a few fresh faces.
TELL us a little bit about your DJing?
I’ve been DJing for a long time and go under the name TOG. I play all sorts of dance, from 80s and 90s up to my favourite artists Dizzie Rascal and Lady Gaga. My favourite song is Dizzie’s “Bonkers”, probably because it describes me a little bit.
HAVE you any other hobbies?
Mainly the DJing, but I like cooking and socialising and being around all my good friends and drinking Guinness.
WHICH three guests would you invite for dinner?
Jamie Oliver, so he could criticise my cooking. Lenny Henry because he’s a legend and Michael McIntyre because he’s just funny.
WHAT would be the first three things you would buy if you won the lottery?
A club for the young people in Lyme because it’s needed. I don’t know what to do with it; I’d be lucky to win a tenner. Maybe a house and a car.
WHAT three things would you take to a desert island?
A barrel of Guinness. Some music definitely, I’d probably take my DJ equipment to play to myself and some good friends.
HAVE you a favourite character from Lyme?
Definitely Joe O’Donnell. He was a friend when I took over the running of the Harbour Inn. We’ve always been friends and he always gave me advice, and its sad to lose such a great character and great landlord in this town and the man was a true legend.
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