In the beginning
I was born close enough to the end of the Second World War to see the devastation that it left in Hull, and born far away from it to see the devastation all around me as a huge playground to play soldiers in.
I passed my 11 plus and went from my junior school off Fountain Road to Hull Grammar School and on the way experienced two significant things.
Firstly I hit the British Class system head-on and came-off worse. I had significant problems in terms of discipline from the second year and by the end of the third year the school had had enough of our relationship and quite frankly I agreed. The other significant experience I had there was much more enlightening.
In 1963 Hull Grammar School took in its first black pupils. Two boys, my age, from Nigeria. Obviously from wealthy parents but decent lads. I met, knew and liked them. If I was ever infected by racism this experience cured me of that.
Work
I left school with no qualifications but an enquiring mind. Equipped for nothing more than labouring jobs, well, that’s where I headed. After a number of dead end jobs I landed the ultimate in that category; becoming a grave digger and working for Hull City Council.
Whilst working in this post I became a shop steward. A natural progression as my family was always left-wing and unionised. Becoming a union official meant that I went back into the classroom and this eventually lead me back into education and onto college and eventually university.
Now I have a Diploma in Higher Education, a B.A. (Hons) and an M.A (Distinction) in Social Work. You see, Hull Grammar School, I always knew the problem was with you not me.
Retirement
The last 20 plus years of my working life was spent within the criminal justice system. I retired in 2011, and decided to spend less of my time sat down and more of my life doing things.
So I do voluntary work, a little weirdly in a cemetery I last worked in 1981. I also research local history and I write about it in some local journals.
I’ve also published a number of books, usually on the Hull General Cemetery, which was the first and only private cemetery in Hull, and the cemetery I do voluntary work in.
I’m engaged in local history societies being on the committee of both the Hull Civic Society and the East Yorkshire Family History Society.
Friends of Hull General Cemetery
I’m also the chair of the Hull and District Local History Research Group and of course, I’m a member of the Friends of Hull General Cemetery committee that is committed to reclaiming the cemetery and returning back to a community resource.