I was born in 1947, in the old General Hospital. Most of my youth was spent playing in and around the Barber Line, the playing fields round the back of Robert's Crescent -the Co-op wasn't there then, come to think of neither was any of that estate nor the one on the other side of Skipton Road - down Knox in the Bluebell woods and across to the Hairy Mountains. Most of the estates, from Woodfield School down and between Fountains Avenue and the railway line did not exist in my youth.

My first marriage lasted about 3 years - we were too young - and produced 3 children. Our second son sadly died at a very young age, he regurgitated his food and choked. I am now happily married to Christine and have been since 1973, between us we have brought up 3 children.

Most of my early life was spent at Skipton Road, Fountains Avenue and Woodfield Avenue with my parents. When The first house I bought was Skipton Road, it cost £1300. I sold it after the divorce for £2400. With Christine we had various Council houses off Knaresborough Road, we then moved out to Harrogate Road, Ferrensby, wich we bought under the 'Right to Buy' scheme. Big mistake. We were forced to sell and moved to Chatsworth Road then to Eavestone Grove and, finally to present home, where we have live since 1991.

My first school was Bilton Grange, after failing the dreaded 11+, I went to New Park - which was, on reflection was beneficial. Those two schools and the wonderful staff gave me some of the happiest memories of my life. About 25 years ago I sat and passed a GCE O Level English Literatre exam. In 1990/3 I attended Leeds Metropolitan University, as a full-time mature student, where I gained a BA (Hons.) Degree in literature, history and politics. In 2001 I earned C&G in Information Technology and Web Design.

I have tackled various jobs, Cinema Projectionist, Farm Labourer, Builder's Labourer, Inspection at Dunlopillo before settling in the Printed Circuit Industry. Whilst at University I worked prt-time at Argos and a few spells at Brimham Rocks as a Car Park Attendant - this was the job I have enjoyed the most. Sadly ill-health has curtailed my working life but it leaves me more time to explore the net.

In 1995 I first contested the Ripon East seat in the District Council election for the Labour Party and came a creditable 2nd. The following year I again fought the seat and was successful. In June 1999 I split from the Labour Party and became an Independent. In November 1999 I completed the metamorphosis and joined the Ripon Lib-Dems. In May 2000 I contested the Killinghall Ward for the Lib Dems and lost to the Tories. Since then ill health has cut short my political career. Not that I am sorry, as I have become disillusioned with local as well as national politics. I am a firm supporter of the individual, I also believe that there is a great tranche of society that is disenfranchised and believe that the machinery of local government should be accessible to the ALL members of society.

Local history: History, Medieval & Elizabethan. The Theatre, Cinema and Literature. If you are reading this, then it will be clear that I have more than a passing interest in computer based technology. I am a bit of a budding author and have completed a short story, The Visit and completed a full length screenplay, The Oath. I also pen a monthly article for my local parish magazine.

I am in the process of creating a site, Needaloo, that list all the disabled loos in the U.K.