After leaving OBHS in 1963 I went to Edinburgh University to study maths. Following graduation I joined the British Aircraft Corporation (later to become British Aerospace) where I worked in the Mathematical Services Department. Most of my work involved computers so I left BAe to join the National Computing Centre in Manchester in 1977. At NCC I specialised in computer and data communications. After setting up the communications consultancy arm of NCC I found that too much of my time was spent travelling about the country to deal with customers and potential customers, and too little at home, so I took up a new job with Barclays Bank. During my time there, Barclays gradually transferred the responsibility for IT systems from the Group to the individual operating companies, and in 1999 this was completed so the department in which I worked was no longer needed. I was offered early retirement, which I gladly accepted.

Alison and I married in 1969. We met at university where she too was a maths student. After graduation she became a maths teacher and then a lecturer at Macclesfield College of Further Education . She decided to become self-employed just before I retired and now does private tuition as well as checking new maths text books for an educational publisher.

Our only son (born in 1974) followed in his parents footsteps by going to Edinburgh University. However, he chose to study history. Having obtained his degree he then stayed on for a post-graduate research degree in Second World War Studies. He now works for Brunel University in Uxbridge.

We have lived in Macclesfield since 1978 and feel settled here although we make frequent forays north of the border for visits and holidays.