When I was a child I loved sport and would have liked to be involved with sport after leaving school. I was at Colston’s from 1965 to 1971 in Dolphin rising to Head of House and School Prefect. I was awarded school colours for tennis for the years 1969-71 as well as school colours for Fives from 1969-71. I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh awards, Army Cadets and Community service by going to local pensioners to help them out with things like gardening. Importantly they enjoyed having a chat, especially if they were on their own, over tea and biscuits. The most important lesson I learned from my education, especially as learning did not come easy, was perseverance and hard work. The only university I went to was the 'University of Life'.

I have been married for forty-six years and have three children and six grandchildren. My brother went to Colston’s and was in the same house and two years above me. My eldest brother went to Clifton. While growing up I lived in Henleaze, Bristol and when first married, we lived in Westbury on Trym.  While working for Lloyds Bank in 1982 I was transferred to Stroud, Gloucestershire, and bought a house in Avening, near Tetbury, where I still live. I joined the OC Rugby Club on leaving school and had great times, and, again, made friends for life.

My favourite hobby is golf and luckily there is a golf course by the village. In 1972 I was instrumental in setting up the OC Golf Society which is still successfully running today. In 1982 I completed the Bristol Marathon with my fellow OC Ricky Smith. I enjoy helping and working in the local community. The village of Avening is close to my heart.

 I joined Lloyds Bank straight from school in 1971 and enjoyed various jobs including managing Lloyds Bank Tetbury and area manager for Lloyds Cardnet to enable customers to take payment electronically. After thirty-six years I retired but did another four years on Lloyds Bank welfare. I enjoyed working with staff and helping customers. A favourite memory is being able to follow sport and being encouraged to enter four Tall Ships Races to places including Denmark, Tasmania, Sydney, Tenerife and La Coruna. My advice to younger OCs would be to do a job you enjoy. Colstons gave me the confidence to go out in the world and has given me friends for life. As an OC Committee member I enjoy working with friends and doing the best for the Society.