Retirement offers many opportunities the most important of which is time to enjoy some pursuits which employment rarely allows. Reading more books is one of these. And, in parallel with reading goes the opportunity to write. 

As you may know, I have written previously about my time working in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Recently, I have tackled a much bigger writing task – that of an autobiography. This has been a laborious but a hugely enjoyable exercise – digging out diaries, documents, photographs, press cuttings and perusing and choosing which to use.

Core to the book In Service of the Common Good is the fundamental importance to humankind of the common good, empathy and kindness especially in today’s increasingly dangerous and selfish world.  Interspersed with reflection and humour, there are naturally strong liberal themes throughout; professional advice on councillor/officer relationships and the pitfalls and opportunities of political coalitions.

The book has now been published and is on sale for £10 and £5 p and p.  All proceeds will go to that excellent charity The Samaritans which has a branch in Selkirk. 

To give you a flavour of the book which has 126 pages, the chapter headings are as follows:

Musings from the Second Top Diving Board

1. An Edinburgh Foothold

       2.Path-Finding

3. An Unexpected Diversion  
4. Making Waves
5. The World as Workplace

• Land of the Long White Cloud
• Democratic Aspirations
• And Iraq
• Not Brexit

6. A United Kingdom
7. Art is the Heart of Things
8. Influence and Encounter
9. A Royal Salute

     10. And More Besides

       Appendices:

1. Councillors and Officers
2. Press Coverage
3. Reflections of a Serving Council Chief Executive
4. The Lord Lieutenancies

For information on how to obtain your copy, please send an email to [email protected] or phone me on 01721 720949. Copies of the book are also available in Whities Bookshop, High Street, Peebles and the Main Street Trading Company Bookshop, St Boswells.

* Graham Garvie is a former Lib Dem Councillor in the Scottish Borders