It’s a Long Way from Ferryhill

Cliff Atkinson started life in the small coal mining village of Ferryhill in the north east of England. The book details the many facets of his life including his childhood which is best described that when asked if he'd read Angela’s Ashes, his reply was that not only had he read it he had lived it. Follow his early story through Ferryhill Station, East Howle, The Cragg, Chilton and Chilton Lane. Then higher education and the life changing decision to migrate to Australia. This is more than a rags to riches story even though that takes up many parts of the book it illustrates how anyone in the world no matter how humble their beginnings can meet and hold court with some of the most wealthy and powerful in the world. From this small coal mining village Ferryhill, known only as a former mining community of six thousand people that the world by-passes driving along the London - Newcastle motorway. A working life which begins as a mathematics schoolteacher, then advertising executive, rock concert promoter, television producer/director, record company proprietor, stockbroker and financial advisor on infrastructure projects around the world. When watching the TV series Madmen he thinks it’s a documentary on the advertising industry of the sixties and seventies. Share his experiences with rock stars including Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, Billy Connolly, Sandy Denny John Denver, Dusty Springfield and many others. Even Elvis and The Eagles get a mention. Not forgetting working with Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Adrien Brophy, Dermot Mulroney, Brooke Shields, Sam Neill and Robert Redford. Politicians including Hawke, Keating, Howard, Clinton and numerous West African Presidents. Religious leaders such as Dr. L. Ron Hubbard Sportsmen such as Beckham, Shearer, Maradona, Alan Border. Tony Grieg and George Peponis. Get an insight on Lindy Chamberlain ‘The dingo took my baby’ from a slightly drunk sitting High Court judge. Dealings with three generations of Packers, Australia’s most wealthy family dynasty Being off-loaded from a Pan Am flight in war torn Beirut. A paper multi-millionaire during the dot-com boom. Unwittingly getting involved with Mr. Asia, one of the world’s major drug lords. Working with Benny Hill, Sir David Frost and others in television. This is a fascinating memoir of how high one can fly, and how low one can go if you put yourself out there. How he broke the major record companies ban on imported music and live recordings in Australia. Most notable is how a life can change with one phone call which kick started this great adventure in life. He has played football, soccer, at all levels and continues to do so even at 72 years old for North Sydney over 45’s where he carries the nickname Dead Man Walking since his severe heart attack 20 years ago and the recent installation of a heart pacemaker. Still active and working as CEO of Phoenix Green Capital, advisors on investment in infrastructure in underdeveloped countries predominantly in West Africa and Asia.