1964-1973

I seemed to be oblivious to academic process, and took the 11-pus without realising what it was for. I ended up at the Portsmouth Southern Grammar School for boys where I got nine 'O' levels and two 'A' levels (Maths and Physics). A fantastic school which was strong in so many ways. Six of the 12 fellow pupils in my Sixth Form went to either Oxford or Cambridge, the sports department formed the first Basketball teams in the UK, and we even studied Car Maintenance classes in the metalwork shop.

My interest in commercial art was encouraged, and I created typeography for posters for school plays and had a large optical illusion painting hung at one end of a long corrider. I created my own tag - SILAS - and was a school prefect. I am still in touch with some of my school mates.

I helped form a youth club at our church called ROOM, and joined Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting. PHB was a full-service radio station for Portsmouth before local BBC and commercial radio stations began. Later I presented a monthly Scout programme called JAMBOREE on BBC Radio Solent and got a mention in the BBC handbook!. Dave Rea, Mike Wierzbicki, Dave Purdey, Steve Woodhall and Ian Worrel and I also set up ANTICIPATION DISCO to earn some cash, and had a 'Hi-De-Hi' season on Hayling Island!

It was through hospital radio I met Brian Hartley who gave me my first real job as a promotion assistant at THE NEWS, and met Carol Knight and Ian Young, and The Newshound. Brother Richard was born in 1972.

Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting - PHB Out and about with hospital radio, and our van with removable gearstick!

First time up Empire State building

In The Loire