I decided I'd like to take my publisher, Alan Samson out for lunch. He's been incredibly supportive and encouraging over the last couple of years, so I thought a 'thank you' lunch was in order. I asked him to choose a venue, but insisted that I would pay. This was potentially risky as Alan's office is just across the road from The Ivy, But I reckoned even if he took me there, it would be money well spent.
I caught the train down to Euston and met Alan at Orion's office. He told me we were goin...
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This year the party took place in the Paul Hamlyn Hall, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
As it turned out, as partners aren't invited, and as the people I would normally link up with weren't going this year, I did spend the first twenty minutes walking round the outside of the gathered throng, on my own. Fortunately, with there being free champagne and canapes on offer, I was soon in a happy enough state to talk to anyone!! I did however meet Alan Samson, my publisher, and have a grea...
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Back in February, I received an invitation to my second 'Author's Party'. These are a wonderful blend of casual and friendly conversations, in a spectacular venue.
Here's the invitation (or a 'stiffy' as a friend told me they are called. I'm saying nothing)



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On the 19th October last year, I had been asked to deliver a presentation to the 'Shropshire fire and rescue service historical society'. It sounded like an interesting proposition, so I said yes. Katy Lowe, who works in the control room at Shrewsbury fire station, had done a huge amount of work putting it together so I needed to pull my socks up and do a good job of the presentation.
All went well on the day with the gathered members seeming to enjoy the fruits of Katy's work. I decided to do...
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Later on in May 2013, I did a book signing for Great Bales of Fire in Shrewsbury's Waterstones. Lots of people came which was a relief if the truth be known. It would be a lonely old time to be sitting there feeling like Billy no-mates.
Lots of books were signed and sold, and I enjoyed it so much the two hours flew by.



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Last May (2013), I was contacted by Chris Pratt, a Station Manager with Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service. He asked me where I got the cover picture from for All Fired Up. I had to admit that I didn't know because it was the art department at Orion Publishers, who had created it, perhaps with the help of Photo-shop.
It turned out that it hadn't been 'created', and in fact was a photo of an actual incident at a village called Clyst Hidon  in Devon, which was hanging on the wall of Chri...
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So... today's the day I'm launching my new look website. I've had the most wonderful help and support from Fiona at THP Creative, but we did come across a tiny glitch when the blogs from 2013 were moved over...  and the last couple of blogs reverted to today's date. So now it looks like I've had a really busy couple of days!
Sorry for any confusion, but from now on everything should go smoothy.

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I had been asked to be the guest speaker at the 'Summer Gathering' at Abbotsholme School. This is when the sixth formers bid farewell to their years at a quite fantastic independent school. I had decided to split my speech into two halves. The first half poked a little light-hearted fun at the Headmaster who is a friend from way back. He is very highly respected in his profession so I was careful to be selective with my choice of stories. The second half concentrated on my adventures in becom...
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So, on the 19th of July I went off to London again to once more appear on Chrissy B's Show. The subject this time was Near death experiences. Fortunately I haven't had an accidental one myself, but simply being a firefighter puts you in some 'near death experiences' on a regular basis. Anyway, it was a very enjoyable evening and the show can be watched via the link on the home page.

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