'Your Mother Wore Army Boots'

I was born in Burton–on-Trent, Staffordshire where I lived with my mother, step-father and half sister and brother.

I was educated at Horninglow Secondary Modern School where I studied into the fifth form, gaining additional qualifications and then going to Burton College for further education.

Having moved away from Burton in the 80’s I have lived in the city of Derby ever since working as a Personal Development Tutor and Coach for Inclusion Needs Students. 

I have two grown up children; Stephanie,  who has been  a successful Photographic Model and now self employed business woman and Toby; who is a natural in the field of modern Technology and Computing.

I have always been a keen and prolific writer and started writing in earnest in 1987.

I have an extensive collection of diverse poetry, much of which has been published over the years.

 My published work includes:

 Your Mother Wore Army Boots (DEBUT NOVEL) ISBN   978-1-60910-624-9 (AVAILABLE SOON)

 Derbyshire Poets (Anthology) ISBN 1 871058 066

My hobbies are an important part of my life and I most enjoy music, singing and Ceroc (dancing)/Salsa which I have done for the past 20 years.

I am a keen artist andworking from my own studio have sold many pieces of work over the years. My other passion is Photography and this forms a daily part of my life. 

I love to travel as much as possible and always document my travels as such. (Written & Photographic).

My five trips to Western Canada as a result of finding my family, enabled me to find yet another sibling, living in the North of England and last year I was honoured to take my new half-brother Brian to Canada to meet with his ‘newly discovered’ father and five  half- sisters. A hugely emotional and moving trip this also offered great fulfilment for my new brother who had never been aware that he had a father in British Columbia. This laid to rest many of the questions he had also held on to for many years.

Sadly, our father Alfie passed away on March 11 2009 but not before seeing his family re-united and enjoying his last years at our joy of finding each other. This bond will never be broken and we have each other for many years to come.

'Your Mother Wore Army Boots'

is the total and final cohesion of a respected, published book which illustrates the obstacles I had overcome and how the events changed my life forever.