One of a well-established Tewkesbury family, I was born in Mill Street and attended local schools including Tewkesbury Grammar School For Boys.
This was followed by 12 years’ service with The Gloucestershire Regiment, then 23 years with Gloucestershire Constabulary.
For 18 of those years, I was stationed in Tewkesbury and employed in several roles including: Community Constable, Area Response Car, Flood contingency planning, Youth Group liaison, and the first dedicated Tewkesbury town centre community constable.
In 1996 I joined West Mercia Police where I worked for a further 20 years mainly as a Police Community Support Officer working with several communities in the Evesham area, forming and administering PACT (Police and Community Together) panels. I also worked with youth groups in that area.
After leaving the Gloucestershire Regiment I was also involved in youth group leadership in Tewkesbury, most notably with the Army Cadet Force for 10 years and the Air Training Corps for 31 years.
I have been fortunate to receive several awards for my work with youth and community groups including, Tewkesbury Town Community Service Award and Tewkesbury Borough Community Service Award.
Except for my years in the army, my late wife, Barbara and I have lived in Tewkesbury all our lives and supported local events and functions. Indeed, Barb and I organised several events including, Tewkesbury Festival of Remembrance 1990 to 1995, Armed Forces Day Parades and services 2010 to 2018, Cadet and Ex Service Association Standard Dedication parades and Services, and a celebration of 150 years of UK Cadet Forces with a parade to Tewkesbury Abbey for a Commemoration Service involving 650 staff and cadets of the Air Training Corps.
I also formed and instructed youth bands in the town including, Tewkesbury ACF corps of drums, The Eagles Traditional Marching Band, 785 Tewkesbury Squadron Air Cadets band and TS Otter Sea Cadets corps of drums.
I am currently Vice-Chairman of Tewkesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion and continue to arrange commemoration events for Armed Forces Day, VE and VJ days and recently, D Day 80.
My experiences with the afore mentioned organisations and events have allowed me to develop self-discipline, self-reliance, and skills in confidence, organisation, administration and as an excellent communicator with people from all levels of society and walks of life.
During my police service I was also a Health and Safety Representative and a Technician member of IOSH (Institute of Safety and Health).
I have always loved my home town and believe that I can best serve its community by bringing my skills to bear for the benefit of Tewkesbury Town Council.