Tuesday 17 July 2012

Before you commit to showing any interest in You Know It Makes Sense, you should at least know something about me.

I'm 57  and I live on the South Devon coast in Teignmouth. I am separated, but have an unusual and happy relationship with my wife CTR. I have three daughters, all married with children, providing me with seven grandchildren. Two of the girls, JCB and AHS live locally, whilst MSB lives in Scotland, but more about the family as the blog develops.

I currently work in Exeter and am involved in the Security Industry, but I have benefited from a very varied career path, sometimes changing roles for family reasons and occasionally stumbling from role to role! In my time I have had holiday jobs, part-time jobs and the obligatory full-time and permanent position. I've worked for the Royal Mail, the NHS, an Engineering Company, two Holiday Companies, City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport, The Balfour Group of Companies (Retail), two Publishing and Education Supply organisations, an Exhibition Company, various Schools, a Disco/Pub enterprise and a Magazine/Book Wholesaler. As a result, I have moved around a fair bit and, if you include my childhood in a Naval family, I have lived in Wisbech (Cambs), Stubbington (Hants), Johore Bahru (Malaysia), Singapore, Stubbington, Southampton (3 locations), Fowey (Cornwall), Streatham (London), South Norwood (London), Berkhamsted (Herts), St Albans (Herts), Luton (Beds), Cricklade (Wilts), Exmouth (Devon), Teignmouth (Devon), Exmouth (Devon), Teignmouth (Devon),Broadclyst (Devon) and finally Teignmouth again! A total of 14 locations requiring 20 moves and that doesn't include 8 months in Loughborough living in a caravan and with a brother-in-law while covering a temporary teaching contract!

In addition to my role working in Security in Exeter, I also run the Chaos Music Roadshow, providing Party Discos and Karaoke. I've been doing this for about 8 years, working with a friend and we've DJ'd as far afield as Chelsea, Loughborough and Somerset.


Even while I was teaching I worked in Security part-time, employed at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth from about 1990. I've worked as a Registered Door Supervisor, Site Security Officer and Assistant Security Manager, the latter when I was a full-time permanent member of staff. Additionally, I have become involved in the Event and Festival industry, working at such events as The Albert Hall, NASSFEST (Shepton Mallet), Boardmasters (Newquay), Beautiful Days (Escot), The Great Dorset Steam Fair (Blandford), The Eden Sessions (The Eden Project) and concerts involving artists such as Bon Jovi, JLS and Jack Johnson.

At school, for the early part of my education, I kept a low profile and didn't get involved. When I was about 14 I allowed myself to be conned into playing Rugby Seven for my House and my life changed. I enjoyed the sport and was with people who were involved with the life of the school, other sports, drama, the choir and they even had a work ethic. As a result, I changed, I embraced the opportunities provided and became a 'doer!' I took part in The Taming of the Shrew and Henry V and was in the 'make-up' team for Macbeth. I joined two choirs and performed in Oliver and the King and I, regularly sang at Portsmouth Cathedral and went on a choir tour to Jersey. I played rugby for the school and eventually went on to play at Petersfield, Eastleigh, Streatham and Croydon, Tring, St Albans, Old Verulamians, Old Albanians, Wootton Bassett, Exmouth and Loughborough. Additionally, I have been a Referee and Referee Advisor with the Devon Reugby Referee Society and a Committee Man and Secretary at Exmouth RFC.

This family and employment track record has helped fashion me into the person that I am now. The people, colleagues, team mates, employers, pupils, customers and random individuals that I have encountered have helped form Kes and will be the catalyst for all that I input on this blog in the future.

You have been warned!