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BOOK REVIEW

by John Burland, Wainwright Society Press & Publicity

(review first published in Footsteps)

Outside Broadcaster

Most members know of Eric through his chairmanship of the Society and probably also as chairman of Gardener’s Question Time and the Cumbria Tourist Board. But, as this book shows, as well as these roles and his work with AW on the BBC series in the 1980s, there has been much more to Eric’s career in broadcasting over the last forty years.

Eric was a regular commentator on Royal events such as Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday; he broadcast from Hong Kong when sovereignty was transferred from the UK to China, and he was involved in the series Great Railway Journeys of the World. Some of the stories in his book are highly amusing, particularly the cattle drive from the Scottish borders to Smithfield Market in London, and his encounter with HRH Prince Philip at the Lowther Horse Trials.

This is a fascinating read and a great insight into the world of the freelance journalist.

You can contact John Burland by e-mail at publicity@wainwright.org.uk