ABOUT ME

I joined the army (Royal Army Ordinance Corps) in 1953 for National Service and signed on for Regular Service in the rank of Sergeant in 1955.

I was commissioned from the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 in 1968 and my testimonial in 1968 read:

“A man with a high sense of loyalty and duty, he gets the best out of his staff by setting a fine example and understanding. He is intelligent and progressive in thought, his judgement is sound. He is gifted and uses sound common sense and he is most presentable and socially popular. A very good leader who takes a great interest in his staff.”

I left the army in 1987 having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and my conduct whilst in the army and at the end of my service was described as, ‘exemplary’.

Community Service

I was presented with the Test Valley Borough Council Civic Award in 1995 for, ‘outstanding service to the community’.

My daughter, Cheryl, received a similar award in 1985 and my wife, Dorothy, received her award in 2002 for outstanding service in managing pre-school groups for twenty-two years. My family is the only family in Test Valley to receive three individual civic awards.
Marathon Running and Fund Raising

I ran my first marathon with Cheryl in Berlin in 1982 and went on to complete fifteen marathons, the result, in cash terms for various national and local charities and good causes was over £17,000.

I used to keep myself fit by running but in 2004 I suffered ligament damage which severely compromised my running skills. Despite the ligament damage I still take part in charity and sponsored walks, such as the British Heart Foundation Annual Sponsored walk, (which I have undertaken for the past fifteen years).

British Heart Foundation Community Services

As a result of voluntary work for the British Heart Foundation for almost twenty-six years, (I have served  twenty-five of these years as local Chairman), with my small committee have raised £400,000 for national British Heart Foundation causes and £8,000 for local projects, this was in partnership with successive Mayors and their charity appeals.

The £8,000 raised for local projects has been used for the purchase of seven twenty-four hour Blood Pressure Monitors for General Practitioners practices in Andover and Broughton.

I have been responsible, as a result of work with many charities, for raising an estimated £500,000.