Former BBC correspondent Clinton Rogers has gone into print – to raise money for St Margaret’s Hospice.
Less than a year after retiring from BBC Point West, Clinton has written an autobiography titled ‘A Life in Broadcasting – Celebrities Wars and All.’
The book will be published in early September and will be on sale for £12, with all proceeds going to the hospice.
A number of people asked me to write a book and I always said no. Then I had the idea to raise money for the hospice. But even then, I said I would only do it if I could say that every penny of every book will go to the charity.”
At that point , Somerset estate agents Willkie, May and Tuckwood stepped in to pick up all the production and print costs. The firm’s managing partner, John Wrelton, said he was delighted to be supporting the project.
The book will cover Clinton’s entire broadcasting career, from his early days on BBC radio to setting up BBC Somerset Sound, reporting for HTV West and becoming the BBC’s television correspondent in Somerset. It will also feature stories from his newspaper days, going back to when he started his journalistic career on the Wellington Weekly News when he was aged just 16.
In his autobiography Clinton talks about war zones he has been to, celebrities he has interviewed (some of whom come in for stinging criticisms!) and corruption he has helped to expose. There are tales of “mud and stars” at the Glastonbury Festival and how he once served a vodka martini (shaken not stirred, obviously) to James Bond.
More than anything I wanted to talk about the ordinary people I have met over the years who have had some extraordinary stories to tell. They are the stories I have enjoyed the most.”
People across Somerset will have the chance to hear some of Clinton’s stories in person when the hospice stages “An Evening With Clinton Rogers” at the Wellesley Theatre in Wellington on Wednesday, 29 September at 8pm.
The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio Somerset breakfast show presenter, Claire Carter, who promises to ask Clinton “some tough questions.”
Clinton is a wonderful ambassador for the hospice, forever our friend. We are truly grateful that the proceeds from this book will help us continue our vital work.”Ann Lee, Chief Executive Officer
