About

I was born in Barnsley into a coal mining family. For better or worse, that set the tone for much of my life. Most of the men in our family worked in the coal mines going back to the 1870s.

I worked down the pit on the coal face and as an NUM Branch Official for fifteen years. My brother and I were the last of the family to work in the coal industry.

Prior to this I studied History of Art at Essex University and spent my younger years trying to start a revolution and build a better world. To no avail as it turned out.

I live with my partner Caroline in Sheffield and have three grown up children and four grand kids.