An appeal in the Express & Echo in March 2013 to prevent the collapse of one of Exeter's most valuable buildings led to a local resident fulfilling a lifelong desire to write and publish a novel which he hopes will draw people to see, enjoy and save this original 'Tudor gem'.
"I'm really a newcomer to Exeter," said Roger Jarman, 64, who relocated to Exeter in 1994 after spending over 30 years in another historic English city, Oxford. "And I've always dreamed of writing a book.
"It took my new home city and this Express & Echo article to spark my interest in local history and to find out more about the Devon and Exeter Institution and the amazing home of the Guild of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen, Tuckers Hall."
Roger's first novel, titled simply 'The Book', follows the exploits of an unassuming Southernhay solicitor who discovers an eighteenth century commonplace book in the library of the Devon and Exeter Institution. His ability to read this book when no-one else can reveals to him that his ancestors were anything but commonplace. There is mystery, history, and a dash of unexpected romance.
Roger is passionate about books and he was very keen that his first novel was a 'proper hardback', not an e-book. Funds for publishing The Book were raised through the crowd sourcing website Kickstarter and the first hardback edition has been printed by local family firm, Short Run Press of Sowton.
Roger is donating some of the proceeds from sales to the Institution's building appeal – which still needs funds – and to the charity that administers Tuckers Hall, home of the real Guild.
"Feedback from readers has so far been very good", said Roger. "It has been called a Da Vinci Code for Exeter, though I hope it's a bit more than that. A number of people have said what a pleasure it is to read about the city they know and to discover things about the place that they'd never known before."
John Manley-Tucker, chairman of the Trustees Devon and Exeter Institution Library and Reading Rooms, said they wish the author well with his new project and very much appreciate the donation of some of the proceeds from The Book's sales to the roof appeal fund.
"The 200 year old library is in dire need of roof repairs and to this end the trustees are raising funds to renew the Georgian roof structure. Fundraising is nearly at the £500,000 mark but more is needed to pay the VAT bill on the £600,000 estimated costs."
Members of the public wishing to support this appeal can do so by visiting 7 Cathedral Close and talking to staff or by phoning 01392 274727.
Copies of The Book are available from Amazon or from Roger's own website www.thebook.me.com, where additional donations can be made to the Institution or to Tuckers Hall. It is also available from Waterstone's Roman Gate branch in Exeter, Crediton Community Bookshop, Paragon Bookshop in Sidmouth, Harbour Bookshop in Kingsbridge, Archway Bookshop in Axminster, the Devon Heritage Centre and (of course) the Devon and Exeter Institution.
