Hello, let me introduce myself. I was born in Hastings, East Sussex, in September 1941, and I'm still here. I've moved all of three quarters of a mile from my birth place, a small flat close to a small railway station with sidings and a turntable, next to a coal-fired power station. My present view now takes in part of Hastings Old Town, part of the country park cliffs which the Pre-Raphaelite painters visited, and the English Channel. Having been born during WW2, I obviously survived, though it may have been a close run thing. With my dad fighting in North Africa, and subsequently in the Italian Campaign, I was brought up by my mum and gran. One day in 1942 I had just been installed in my pram outside the front door, when a Me109 shot over the railway station and power station and flew above us at so I'm told, no more than fifty feet, rat-a-tatting straight up the road and away. My mum and gran threw themselves over the pram sheltering me, presenting two posteriors to the pilot's gaze. When he'd gone they found spent machine gun cartridges all the way up the road. I'll never know whether the pilot intended to kill us or not, but I've always been thankful that he missed. Had he not done, I would not be here now, nor would my brother or sister who arrived in 1947 and 1948 after our dad's return from Germany. Neither would my two daughters or my grandson have existed. On such small margins do life events rest. I had a happy, though poor childlife. No money for holidays or bikes, but pleasures still abounded. Nature walks on Sundays, the occasional mystery coach trip, ice creams, watching my dad playing football on Saturdays. He played for Hastings Utd in their first ever season just after the war, and by my teens I myself was playing football, cricket, tennis and snooker in every possible spare moment. I was as fit as a flea. Working in accountancy slowed me down a bit, but not by much. I still found time for weekend discos and beer in between matches. I married the most wonderful lady, Liz in 1970 and we had two fantastic daughters, of whom we are immensely proud. Although I have always loved art, I was late in affording it the attention and dedication I should have done. I blossomed late, if indeed I actually did, but now having attained a modicum of skill I think, I feel fulfilled and happy with my work. I am a friend of the Guild of Aviation Artists and the Royal Society of Marine Artists. I have travelled Europe extensively, listened to some great jazz, played a lot of sport, drunk some great wines and beers, had wonderful times with family and friends, made countless model aircraft and boats, and I do whatever I can to protect the environment and the planet's fauna and flora, trying in some small way try to redress the damage caused by the world's wreckers. The planet is incredibly beautiful. I want it to stay that way.