Rock Bottom hits town

THE book the rock music industry has been holding its breath for has just hit the streets of Lyme - and Lyme Matters got one of the first copies.

Lyme-born Geoff Baker, who spent 15 years as Paul McCartney’s PR, has finally published his first novel Rock Bottom with the former Beatle’s approval.

It was a book none of the major publishers would touch for fear of litigation.

Geoff, who used to work for me as a reporter in my days as editor of the Sidmouth Herald, promised me an early copy and I read the first few chapters late into Monday.

Let me tell you, this is no Jane Austen novel and is not for the faint hearted.

From the opening paragraph it’s a tale that’s right in your face - the story of stressed PR Peter Forth losing his mind, marriage and a great deal more.

Geoff has obviously called on his 30 years in tabloid journalism and music PR in putting together his novel, described as “moving, sexy and bitingly funny”.

He stresses that it is a work of fiction and the names, characters and incidents are purely a product of his imagination. But it undoubtedly gives an indication of the crazy world he occupied in the top job in rock PR.

Geoff, now back living in Lyme, has been open and honest over his fight against severe depression and this book has taken a lot out of him. But I’m sure it be will be a rollicking success when it soon goes on general sale (watch this space).

As Geoff was so kind to pop a copy of Rock Bottom into the office this week, I felt duty bound to repay his kindness by presenting him with my own latest literary effort (see above). “I’ve already bought one,” he lied.

Fight to save library is on but more help is needed

EXCELLENT turn-out for the public meeting in Lyme on Monday to save our library from closure.

Over 100 braved a bitterly cold night, exceeding the expectations of the organisers, Lyme Regis Development Trust.

The meeting was effectively chaired by trust chairman Wendy Davies in her usual thorough manner and a lively debate ensued - not that the two of us on the press table could hear a great deal.

Chairs in the hall were laid out not theatre style but in an oval shape to give a much more friendly feel to the gathering. But as much of the discussion took place at the other end of the hall and many of the speakers did not use the public address system, we were not privvy to some of the points being made.

But as someone said to me as I moaned my way out of the hall: “It’s not all about you, you know!” Good point.

The general feeling is that Lyme’s got a good case for retaining its library. In fact, there was a rumour ciurculating the hall beforehand that it had already been saved.

That’s probably not the case and until the county decide which libraries are going to be sacrificed, the fight goes on. With so many people present, it was disappointing that only a couple of already very busy people put up their hands to join an action group, although a couple more joined on the way out of the hall.

However, I’m sure a few more will be co-opted in the coming days and Lyme will put up a good case for the library retention.

The overriding feeling is that it should remain free but if people have to pay for their books in the future that would be better than no library at all.

More community involvement may also be necessary if the library is to be saved. It’s already happening elsewhere - Colyton and Charmouth being good examples.

If that is the case, it will need more than just a couple of volunteers.

Citizen of The Year - the winner is ...

DRUM ROLL ... I am pleased to announce that Lyme’s Citizen of the Year 2010, as voted for by you, the readers, is (wait for it....) MARCUS DIXON, chief executive of Lyme Regis Development Trust.

Marcus polled the most votes from the list of 12 nominees I chose in my 'Lyme Regis Year Book 2010' - and shortly I will be presenting him with a framed certificate and a bottle of bubbly.

With nearly 500 votes being cast, Marcus polled just 17 more than Cecil Quick, who has served the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion for over 65 years.

I am pleased that all the nominees all polled votes with very little between them all - with the exception of Mary Anning. But she did get three votes in the end. Marcus got the nod not solely for his work for the development trust but for his drive and enthusiasm in setting up the highly successful Gig Club and his work behind the scenes in the re-establishment of the youth club.

In voting for Marcus, one of his supporters wrote to me saying: “What a whirlwind of energy, creativity and action and such a lovely guy too!” There were many other accolades.

Thank you to all those who voted and to those who wrote in to say it was a cheap trick to publicise my book, I have to admit - you’ve got me banged to rights!

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