All Chapters
Browse through all the chapters of my life story
The Beginning: February 18, 1940 — Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK
The "Royal" designation was granted to Sutton Coldfield in 1528 by King Henry VIII. This recognition was due to its historical association with the royal family and its importance as a center of hunting grounds and woodlands used by the monarchy.
Epping Forest
Waltham Abby Epping The town is named and renowned for its former abbey, the last in England to be dissolved, now the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence a scheduled ancient monument and the town's parish church.
Start of my childhood in Dover
DOVER is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at 33 kilometres (21 mi) from Cap Gris Nez in France.
After isolation
Growing Up in Dover Dover in the 1950s remained scarred by the ravages of war, with bomb sites and debris still littering the landscape long after the conflict had ceased...
Clare House
Life's twists and turns often unfold swiftly, leaving us with little control over the course of events .
Finding My Way: Leaving Clare House
The Bull Hotel was no ordinary place to begin a career. Dating back to the 1300s, it had once served as a coaching inn along the Pilgrim’s Way and later became a notorious haunt for smuggling gangs. During the Second World War, it was a favourite watering hole for fighter pilots, many of whom left their signatures on the ceiling of the public bar. By the time I arrived in 1958, the Bull carried all that history with it—a place steeped in stories, now bustling with guests, fine dining, and the promise of opportunity for a young waiter like me.
Red Lion Cottages with Henry
Stoke Green Cricket Club in Stoke Green has been playing there since 1879 with support of the then landowner, Howard-Vyse of Stoke Place.Stoke Poges Golf Club at Stoke Park used to run a cricket club in the early 20th century, playing home matches in Farnham Royal
Swan Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon — the home of William Shakespeare and a theatre-rich market town — had more than 800 years of history, with buildings that Shakespeare himself might have known. Even then, the town was alive with a thriving community, offering leisure, accommodation, and shopping experiences.
A New Beginning: Herne Bay and Home ownership
Herne Bay, a seaside town on the north coast of Kent, lies just six miles north of Canterbury. It had risen to prominence as a resort in the early 19th century after the construction of a pleasure pier and promenade and reached its heyday in the late Victorian era. For us, it represented the promise of a fresh start.
Whitfield and the Ferries
The History of Whitfield, Kent The village of Whitfield has grown so that it is now physically connected to urban Dover, Kent, yet it has kept its own identity and sense of place. The central core of modern Whitfield was, however, not the original heart of the village; the original settlement was sited at Church Whitfield to the east. Pineham, located to the east of Church Whitfield is a small rural hamlet that is often considered part of the Whitfield community. It contains a small handful of farms and houses..
The Strike and the Dream of New Zealand
Across the Seas: The Journey to New Zealand
From Tearful Goodbyes to Bright Tomorrows: The Journey South
A Kiwi Home, a Flying Career, and a New Chapter for Our Family
Auckland in the 1960sAuckland, is based around 2 large harbours, is a major city in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. In the centre, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens. Near Downtown, Mission Bay Beach has a seaside promenade
Turning the Page: Family, Flight, and Fresh Beginnings
We faced yet another life-changing decision: we could either remain a small cottage industry or take the leap to expand into a larger manufacturing operation. We went from working out of our home base to relocating and getting the machinery and stock out of the home
A Journey Back to Where It All Began
What I Had Missed Most My Mother and my four brothers—Michael, Lionel, David, and Phillip
Looking after The Sussex Restaurant
Redvale and Beyond
You might think, “This guy has it made—he’s been in New Zealand for just 15 years, owns a six-bedroom home with a swimming pool, and has raised five children. All he has to do now is sit back, find some part-time work, and enjoy life.
El Greco Pizza's
El Greco – A Slice of Success From Pizza Tosses to Life-Changing Questions
From Britannia to Pizza – My Australian Culinary Adventure
Navigating the World Expo, Running a Traditional English Pub, and Discovering the Complexities of a Pizza Franchise
Quicksand on Caxton Street
The restaurant that pulled me under, and the hard lessons of ambition
A Christmas That Never Came
When Silence, Misunderstanding, and Conflict Changed Everything
Epilogue -- Reflections on Life, Love, and What Remains
“I leave behind no riches, only the truth of a life lived fully.”