PROVING it's never too late to realise a dream, Ian Young is publishing his first book as he turns 88 years old.
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Ian started writing his memoirs, titled 'Bone in the Fishcake', more than 40 years ago and the work has undergone several complete restarts.
Ian says that most of the hard work has been done over the last four or five years, and during the process he needed to replace an electronic typewriter as he wore it out.
Writing has figured largely in Ian's life. In the 1960s Ian was approached to write monthly articles for a shooting sport magazine, a nice contract that enabled him to buy his first brand new car.
In the 1970s Ian completed a freelance journalist course through Stott's Correspondence College and he has since spent well over 20 years writing reports for local papers.
Born in the south-east of England, Ian, his parents and his brother Graham emigrated from Britain in 1948.
Ian spent time in the Royal Navy for more than three years. He was trained in radar sets and stationed on HMS Nigeria outside of Cape Town in South Africa during what Ian calls a "very shaky peace".
Ian has since been living full-time in the Manning Valley for 35 years, and is a life member of the Wingham Rifle Club and a keen collector of measuring devices.
The book contains not just Ian's life story, a tiny bit of which is mentioned here, but historical narrative and detailed factual information. "The majority of people will find something in there to give them a bit of a kick," Ian said.
'Bone in the Fishcake' is being published by local author and publisher Mike Davies. It is currently undergoing final proofing, and will be printed in the USA in "a matter of weeks, not months," said Ian.
Ian will not be taking any time off once the book has finally been published. He has plans underway for another book, which will be a non-fiction book of comment and opinion on varied subjects.