Arriving just post Linnaeus, saw EDNA arrive, now chose to practice entomology to widen participation, not make it exclusionary.

Looser in the 1963 RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus ‘3yr old eats ant competition’, despite removing the body, the ants head remained attached fast to my bottom lip. Its victory announced by much squealing, hopping up and down on the spot and blood! Now hooked by inverts.

Left public school unqualified, bummed around until family responsibilities demanded
I settled down and earned. Once the family left home and still hungering to catch up and get a ‘scroll’. Dr Sarah Whild kindly allowed me to attempt an MSc in Biological recording.

Only surviving mature studentship at such an advanced level because Sarah and all my student colleagues were so sharing and supportive, a debt I feel proud to be repaying today.

So, whilst now being self-employed with participation in projects and research including UKCEH, Thames Water, the local wildlife trusts, public heath, and private clients transitioning from standard farm management to organic certification in the Cotswolds, I now spend as much time organising ID and field recording skills for anyone who asks.

Taxons: Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera predominantly, all else as new challenges.