Born in Gloucester in 1945 my early childhood was spent in the village of Sandhurst where I was raised to be a country lover and have retained that love of nature, wildlife and particularly birds throughout my life. We moved into the city of Gloucester when I was ten and I attended a very Dickensian Junior school called the National, long since thankfully demolished. From there I attended the Central Technical School for boys and was glad to leave after taking GCE exams and took a summer job in Great Yarmouth, as a waiter in a restaurant. I found that I enjoyed catering very much and at the end of the season went back to Gloucester and took a job for the winter at the Fleece Hotel .
I continued this for a few years and then changed direction, going into sales. After a few years I was able to start my own business selling freezers. (Home Refrigeration Co.Ltd) which developed into a small chain of frozen food centres as well. In 1976 I moved to Cornwall to take over the Tolcarne Hotel in Boscastle and sold the business in Glos.
It was here that I met my darling wife, Liz and after 2 previous failed marriages felt that at last I had found the right one.( We now have 6 grown-up children between us, numerous grand children and 3 great grandchildren and it is wonderful when we all get together.) In 1982, I purchased Willapark at Bossiney and converted it into a beautiful Hotel which Liz and I ran, very successfully, for over 20 years . On retiring in 2005 we purchased Herons Lake, in the Camel Valley and after 13 very enjoyable years there, were able to return here to the Boscastle area which we love. Just before selling the Hotel, we also purchased a beautiful villa on the lovely Island of Lanzarote, so spend most of the winter there, although we do not go as much now. We have been letting this out for holidays as well and it has become so popular, that it needs to be booked well in advance. This is also shown on www.homeaway.co.uk and the property no. is 1481781