Born in Kent in 1958, much of my childhood was spent in the Loose Valley; it was there I developed a lifelong interest in all aspects of natural history.

As graduate of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a chartered chemist I spent fifteen years working in industry as a development chemist and a manufacturing manager. For ten years I helped manage chalk grassland and woodlands reserves along the North Downs.

Following a career change In 1991 I was recruited by English Nature to study effects on storm damaged woodlands.

I moved to Wellington Somerset in 1995 to take up a post with English Nature as a Conservation Officer in North Somerset.

Since 2000 I have worked on the Somerset Levels & Moors and Bridgwater Bay. I am interested in the study of history of garden plants, garden history and archaeology.