Specific conditions:
Born and bred in England. Now well over my three score years and ten! Married to Nina. Former NatWest Bank Manager, mostly in branches but with 6 years as a tutor/supervisor/trouble-shooter. travelling the country at the beginning of the computerisation, also involved with the Staff body as well.
President of the Sarawak Specialists Society 2001-04 - international specialist philatelic society with 200+ members worldwide, and for many years the rapporteur for their award-winning Journal. I also led the only two Overseas tours (to the Far East) taken by the Society at that time, Secretary of Royal Bank of Scotland Group (NatWest) Philatelic Society since 1996 and contributor of many articles to their Newsletter. Member of many specialist and general philatelic societies/stamp clubs. I give regular philatelic displays to Societies all over Southern UK as far as the Midlands
Have travelled with Cadillac Owners Club of GB to European Cadillac Rallies in Zeebrugge, Belgium,, Speyer, Germany, France and Zurich in my elderly Seville STS. Member for many years of National Film Theatre, National Theatre (including sponsorship for the refurnishment of their organ at the Festival Hall and sponsoring a seat), and Life Member of the Great Western Society, a railway preservation society based at Didcot - steam engines and all that - when I was younger and fitter I used to go on their volunteer (ie unpaid!) "Work Weeks".
Am heavily involved in Freemasonry,being a member of 15 Lodges and Chapters in 6 different Orders, and having been active including Master or equivalent in most. Honoured in most and a Grand Officer in all three of Craft, Mark Master Masons & Royal Ark Mariners. Was a Round Tabler, a Member of 41 Club including International visits with both, and Lions Club International. Many years ago involved briefly in local politics.
In my retirement, I expanded my existing stamp and postcard business, travelling to take tables at fairs and markets as far as Scotland. Also sell on eB*y, D*lcampe, and to 41 Philatelic Societies countrywide through their exchange packet schemes - over 1000 stamp approval books sent out every year, These also go to my regular private approval clients, together with postcards, postal history (covers) and paper ephemera.
Both between marriages and with my second wife, I have travelled very widely, especially to such off-beat places as Yemen, Iceland, Madagascar, Peru/Colombia, Russia/Siberia, Cook Islands, Tahiti & Moorea, Australia & New Zealand, Brunei, Labuan, Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore, China and Hong Kong/Macao,Gambia and Senegal, Nigeria, much of East Africa including Zanzibar etc
Occasionally I find time to research my family tree, and am also director of a couple of residential property companies, and was Secretary of another until recently. I still manage my wife's and my small residential property portfolio. Phew! You've got stamina if you've reached here. Cheers!
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