After a lifetime in journalism, Geoff Ellis filled a year of COVID lockdown by writing a book of memoirs and anecdotes of his journey from the Bath Chronicle in 1957 to the turbulent days at The Times during the Harry Evans v Rupert Murdoch tussle in 1981.
“Bath was a formative influence for me” says Ellis. “I started my life in photography as a junior in July 1957, using a massive Speed Graphic plate camera with a limit of twelve shots before reloading back in the darkroom – so unlike these days of unlimited shots on digital kit. My first assignment was to climb the tower of Bath Abbey”
He selected an A4 landscape format as the most suitable way to display his pictures, and working with Andy Ashdown, an award-winning designer, has put together a collection of black and white images linked with a strong narrative and personal anecdotes displayed across 264 pages.
Among the subjects featured in the book are Richard Burton, the Queen, Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, Yehudi Menuhin, Jayne Mansfield, Claire Bloom, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington and Earl Hines. There are also sections on aviation and the early days of computers. There is an extensive section on the role that jazz played in Bath in the 60s, with many local bands and visiting US stars
Several readers have asked- the cover picture shows the back bench at The Guardian working on an edition c.1978
The book has 264 A4 pages and is ISBN:978-1-8006815-1-4
Contact: Geoff Ellis 07932 149 712 [email protected]