This is a must read true story, brilliantly told from the horses mouth. Doug having recently retired reflects on events over the past 60 years or so, with a riveting account of his life in the fast lane of the contracting world. Married to Hilda for the past 43 yrs he reflects on the trials and tribulations in those early days when due to the untimely death of Hilda's parents they prepared to bring up Hilda's brother young Thomas who at 3 yrs, old was left without mother or father. His work in Tony Blair's Trimdon home, his run in with the local police together with his encounter in Durham prison all reflects some of the many hilarious moments. How from running a small general dealers shop in Trimdon, to purchasing a 2 acre small holding would turn into an organisation beyond his wildest dreams. However as things seemed to be going well and looking forward to retirement, one never knows what's around the corner, and in this case Fate had a nasty trick up its sleeve when tragedy struck with the death of Hilda's brother Derek at the age of 58yrs. Doug reflects on the pain and suffering Derek encountered while under the care of his GP and how an investigation by the Primary Care Trust found significant shortcomings with the doctors concerned. This finally proceeded to an investigation by the General Medical Council. How Doug experienced a two hour ordeal being cross questioned by the defense barrister at a fitness to practice hearing in Manchester. And finally a letter from the Doctors removing Doug and Hilda from their patient list due to the fact that doctor patient relationship had irretrievably broken and their needs would be better served by another practice. ( How's that for our caring medical profession.) His story is undoubtedly told with Wit, Humour and Candour.
Born in 1943 in the heart of the mining community in Trimdon , County Durham. Doug Chaytor was the only child to Ellen and Jim who were steward and stewardess of the local working mans club. His father Jim had spent 23yrs. in the Royal Marines only to return home and lose his right leg in a coal mining accident. From the age of 8yrs, Doug had grown to live and experience the difficulties encountered by his disabled father. The family moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1953 and returning back to Trimdon in 1955 was to eventually unfold a story that could never have been foreseen.
With Roman Catholic parents Doug's early years were dominated by religion , and being a pupil at St Williams Catholic school he outlines his frank recollection of corporal punishment which was commonplace in the 1950s. He eventually served an electrical apprenticeship with the National Health Service, after a varied job experience and in possession of his Electrical Technicians Certificate he transported into the fast lane of the contracting world of hard knocks. Over the next 25yrs. His company (Chaytor Electrics) was recognised as one of the largest independent organisations in the North East carrying out major contracts as far North as the Shetland Islands down to the South of England. Doug's business career has taken him as far as Australia and together with his tales as a Magistrate, School Governor, Councillor and the secret world of Freemasonry his life seems to have been one darn thing after another. When things seemed to be settling down an untimely death within the family brought Doug within the walls of the General Medical Council questioning a doctors fitness to practice. Now retired and living with his wife Hilda in County Durham.
Born in 1943 in the heart of the mining community in Trimdon , County Durham. Doug Chaytor was the only child to Ellen and Jim who were steward and stewardess of the local working mans club. His father Jim had spent 23yrs. in the Royal Marines only to return home and lose his right leg in a coal mining accident. From the age of 8yrs, Doug had grown to live and experience the difficulties encountered by his disabled father. The family moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1953 and returning back to Trimdon in 1955 was to eventually unfold a story that could never have been foreseen.
With Roman Catholic parents Doug's early years were dominated by religion , and being a pupil at St Williams Catholic school he outlines his frank recollection of corporal punishment which was commonplace in the 1950s. He eventually served an electrical apprenticeship with the National Health Service, after a varied job experience and in possession of his Electrical Technicians Certificate he transported into the fast lane of the contracting world of hard knocks. Over the next 25yrs. His company (Chaytor Electrics) was recognised as one of the largest independent organisations in the North East carrying out major contracts as far North as the Shetland Islands down to the South of England. Doug's business career has taken him as far as Australia and together with his tales as a Magistrate, School Governor, Councillor and the secret world of Freemasonry his life seems to have been one darn thing after another. When things seemed to be settling down an untimely death within the family brought Doug within the walls of the General Medical Council questioning a doctors fitness to practice. Now retired and living with his wife Hilda in County Durham.
