I was born in Salford in 1937. I joined the Post Office at 15 in 1952 (as a boy in Manchester I delivered telegrams to the Guardian offices), and left to join the Royal Navy in 1953. After 11 years’ service I emigrated to Australia. I did three separate years in Antarctica with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. In 1972 I met my wife, an anthropologist, in Kimberly, Western Australia, while I was prospecting, and followed her to Ottawa, Canada, where I’ve lived ever since. From 1982 to 1986 I worked as a radio operator in the Arctic in the oil patch.
Today I work as a commissionaire (security) – even at 78 I need something to keep me busy. In terms of what makes me stand out, I’d say my sense of humour, but my son would say my storytelling. I swim three times a week at the Château Laurier hotel. I’ve been reading the Guardian for about 25 years, mainly for reasons of nostalgia. It makes me feel as though I have a friend. It is part of home. It’s my past that I don’t want to lose. However, I also think it is important to get a perspective other than what the media is putting forward in the country that you live. Annoyingly, it is harder to find as more newsagents in Canada close.
All the sections interest me (I read it cover to back every week), but specifically both of the crosswords. I always enjoy the letters and commentary from around the world. I always pass on the interesting articles to my 41-year-old son. I’m not online – I like the good old version that I can fold up.
Thirst for knowledge has kept me reading. I like to know what is going on in the world. I am a social animal so I always want to have a good bank of conversation material. Don’t stop the press!
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