Kevin Jordan appears in Random Thoughts in the section on Hospice Taranaki. We’re shown at the launch of the book held at the Westown, New Plymouth, hospice shop (which is selling the book).
My new book – Random Thoughts: Jim Tucker revisits favourite columns – was formally launched at the Hospice Taranaki shop in Westown, New Plymouth, on the evening of October 13.
A crowd of about 50 hospice supporters, New Plymouth District Councillors (including Deputy Mayor Richard Jordan and his wife, Anne) and friends of the author and wife, Lin, gathered at the shop at 5.30pm to hear speeches from hospice CEO Paul Lamb and me.
The occasion ended with book sales and signings. The book, proceeds from which go to Hospice Taranaki, went on sale the next day at the five Taranaki hospice shops.
There will be more book signings next week at the shops in Waitara, Waiwhakaiho Valley, Stratford and Hawera, and at Westown.
The book republishes about 40 of the 237 columns I wrote for the Taranaki Daily News/Stuff between 2016 and January this year. Each is illustrated and followed up to see if anything eventuated.
Printing of the book was paid for by Dr George Mason from his charitable fund. Many thanks, George.
Anyone wanting a copy can buy an e-book version on the BOOKS page of this website, or email me on jimtuckermedia@gmail.com (if you’re out of Taranaki) to order a printed copy, or buy from one of the shops or the hospice Trade Me account. The book is not on sale at any bookshop or through any book publisher (other than JimTuckerMedia).
Lin and Jim TuckerPaul Lamb, CEO of Hospice Taranaki, at the Westown hospice shop.Jessica Sinclair, hospice north group retail manager, with some of the items for sale at the Westown shop.Dan’s daks – the first holes didn’t start appearing until after more than a decade of use.A Rob Tucker photo of the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth. The book has five columns about the centre’s controversial past, plus an interview with key founding donor John Matthews, who now feels things are coming right at the centre.Ollie Tucker (left) and his Dad, Kirk Tucker, study a Len Lye exhibit.Another Tucker – Granddad Harry, who migrated to Auckland in the early 1900s and founded the Tucker family in NZ. He’s shown here indulging in one of his retirement pastimes, model trains. Rob Tucker image.A Jehovah’s Witness display at Pukekura Park. The column saying it shouldn’t be there drew the most widespread support of any of the 237 columns published over five years. They’re not seen in the park any more.Should a Dad be allowed to build a treehouse in a public tree in Upper Victoria Rd? New Plymouth District Council tried to ignore it, but in the end asked him to take it down after someone complained. Most people were on the Dad’s side.
Supposed to be retired, after quitting journalism teaching in 2013 (after 25 years, preceded by 22 years as a newspaper journalist and editor), but find myself busier than ever with various book projects, advising law firms, and writing articles for magazines like North & South and Live.
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