I started flying at the age of about ten when my father bought me a plastic hurricane which had a control line.Every weekend I would pack a small bag with my plane , glow clip and 1.5 volt battery then walk over to Salisbury hall playing fields opposite The Walthamstow  dog track. There I would meet my two cousins Steve and Lee. we would have hours of fun with our control line models. When we got better at  flying our models we moved on to combat wings which also turned out to be great fun. Then one day my father bought me a small radio controlled top wing. this plane only had one channel and flew on rudder only. I would do the hand launch and my dad would fly the plane. Eventually I would get a go (that was it I was hooked) . Gliders, biplanes, low wings I crashed the lot. the years rolled on and when I reached the age of Fifteen  I lost interest in flying and for the next five or six years just done the things most boys do at that age and to be honest those years are a bit of a blur, But fortunately I met my wife Julie and she soon brought me back down to reality. I am pleased to say that I am the proud father of  four lovely children Sam, Loren, Sian and Penny and I know all fathers say this but they really are the greatest kids anyone could have. In 1986 I joined the Chingford M.F.C and I gained some flying experience but I didn't really gel with the other members and so I soon lost interest again. after some time exploring other hobbies one of these being boxing (much too painful) I joined The Lea valley M.F.C. There I met Tony Madrugo (or is it mad Tony)  who spent many weekends with me and eventually I went solo. I have been hooked on this hobby of flying ever since. I also became vice chairman at L.V.M.F.C but things didn't work out and a few of us decided to start our own club Which is called The North London Flyers. I am Now the chairman of this new club and I hope to do the best I can to make this club a success with the help of the members. My son Sam tells me he wants to start flying next year which I'm looking forward to. He already flies better than me (on the computer that is). Before I end this I would like to thank my wife for being so tolerant  I am a very lucky man thanks Julie.