I’ve been interested in history for over 20 years through my hobby of table top wargaming. About 10 years ago I volunteered to become a Property Guide at a local (Council owned) farm complex, with a history dating from the Domesday through to the present day, and the research I did – generated by the questions of the public – really expanded my horizons. I left there about 3 years ago to become a House Guide at a National Trust property and the learning curve started all over again. Just over 4 years ago I joined the Sealed Knot and I wish I’d done it a lot earlier. The things you learn from the public (lots of local leads and legends) and the experiences are things very few other hobbies can offer (I’m sure other re-enactors will agree). As part of my Nat Trust volunteer activities I “do” school visits and demonstrate/explain life in the 17thC to them. In 2001 as part of the 350th anniversary commemorations of the King’s escape, I joined a group of Nat Trust employees. Together the four of us (admittedly in a minibus) followed in his footsteps, stopping off at 20 schools (seeing just under 1000 children) 4 National Trust properties and several town and city centers. The “best” moment was when a teacher produced an ORIGINAL sword that a relative had found hidden in a wall! (still researching that).
For a living I’m a computer operator. At heart I’m a Wolverhampton lad, but I’m currently in Coventry (appropriate for a Royalist?)
I’ve been watching Time Team from day one, absolutely love it but have to wince when they say “we’re just going to record this and dig on down to the interesting stuff” (ouch).
Special Interest Areas
British Civil War;Living History; Local History