I was born in Bethnal Green, London, sharing a tenement house, which had one outside loo, with 3 families, and remember seeing the buzz bombs flying overhead, hearing them whistle as we lay in the bomb shelter in the garden.
I’ve had many different jobs over the years enjoying what is now called a portfolio career and also moving around the country to follow my dreams: a chef, working in a bullion bank then a handbag manufacturer, followed by a stint at RKO Radio Pictures in Soho – don`t get excited – it was typing film invoices – at that time I held the record for typing the most in an hour (in my time went from manual, to electric, to golf ball typewriter and then to computer). I also worked for General Motors, Littlewoods, the UBM Group, Woolworths, etc, in progressively more senior roles including some work in Portugal for the EU. Then I worked for myself owning 3 shops supplying everything to do with cakes.
I like to be busy so I became involved in dog breeding and showing: I brought the first Bergamasco dog (Italian Sheepdog) in from Italy, mated the first female, and then formed the Bergamasco Club which is now recognised by the Kennel Club. I’m sure you’ll have seen Freddie, my remaining dog, as the Bergamasco coat is very distinctive. I became a Championship Show Judge, two of my dogs achieved Champion status and I have judged at Crufts. I was Assistant Chief Steward of the Ladies Kennel Club for over 25 years and helped run their show Championship Show at the NEC, Birmingham. I also ran local Dog shows including at the Portishead Summer Show for many years.
In my time, I enjoyed racing sports cars and motorcycles, and was Secretary of both the Sporting Owners Drivers Club and the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association. I’ve a fondness for speed which led me to wing walk a few years ago to raise thousands for Weston Hospice.
I was a Portishead Town Councillor, served as Chairman of the Town Council, and then was a North Somerset Councillor for 12 years serving as Chairman of Health and Overview Scrutiny, and then Chairman of Adult and Social Scrutiny panels.
I formed a litter picking group called Pride in Portishead which kept our town clean and tidy over many years.
I am currently President of the Jubilee Day club and President (previous Chairman for a number of years) of the Senior Citizens Forum, both in Portishead, plus Chairman of the Severnside Siren Trust which can be heard on the 3rd of each month at 3pm when it’s being tested.
And now I’m trying, not very successfully, to learn to play the piano.