Guild Member and Norfolk farmer David Richardson (above) has launched his autobiography – encompassing more than 55 years of agricultural journalism.
The 208-page book – called In at the Deep End – tells how, in August 1960, 23-year-old David was struggling to eke a living from his farm when he was recruited by Dick Joice of Anglia Television for the fledgling regional magazine programme About Anglia.
“I called the book In at the Deep End reflecting the fact that I learned about most things I have tackled during my life ‘on the job’ with little or no training,” says David.
“War and Peace it is not but there are some serious bits as well as anecdotes.”
As a teenager, David left school shortly after his GCEs and by-passed formal further and higher education to farm in his own right.
He had a reputation for leadership in the local Young Farmers’ Club but he didn’t even own a television – let alone crave a media career.
Yet the next 50 years would see him become an accomplished broadcaster on Anglia Television and for the BBC.
He presented radio programmes, penned newspaper columns for the Financial Times and wrote magazine articles, including for Farmers Weekly, which continues to this day.
In at the Deep End mixes tales of farming business and political challenges, family events and David’s deep concern to tell it as it is and as it ought to be in the agricultural world.
Published by Poppyland Publishing, the book costs £16.95 (hard- back) or £12.95 (paperback). For details, visit www.poppyland.co.uk.
