The Life of Brian (Lawn that is)

I left school at 16 and after a very short time as an apprentice shipwright i decided that staying in Lowestoft was not for me (I needed to spread my wings).  So at 17 i applied to join the Royal Navy and passed the entrance exams.  4 months after passing the exam in September 1964 I was called down to HMS Raleigh in Cornwall for 6 weeks intense basic training.  Subsequently i served 7 years which included serving on 2 aircraft carriers, 3 naval air stations and travelling all around the world.

I left the navy in 1971 and directly joined the prison service as I felt i needed to be home for my family.  I was posted to HM Prison Norwich where I served for 32 years, including 2 long voluntary stints in the Maze prison Northern Ireland.

During those years I joined the Army Cadet force in 1978.  In 1982 I was offered a TAVR'B' commission, which i readily accepted with pride.  After serving for 25 years I retired as a Major.  As a Queen's commission I am entitled to use the rank but I never do.  I am also at present the secretary and shooting officer of the 901 Marine Cadets gun club at Winterton and Caister High School, where I teach the safety, correct use and skills of fire arms on the ranges they use.

In 2005 I applied to become a Magistrate.  After being accepted and after training, I was sworn in on 1 August 2006 by the Lord High Sheriff of Norfolk at County Hall, Norwich.  After serving 10 years on the Norfolk Bench I retired in July 2016 with a total of 52 years of Crown service.  Something I am very proud of.

In 2015 I was asked to stand for election in the Lothingland Ward for the Conservative party and thanks to the good people of this ward, which includes - Browston, Belton, Burgh Castle, Fritton and St Olaves, I was proud to be elected to Great Yarmouth Borough Council.  I am also a Caister Parish Councillor and Deputy Chair of the local Charities Commission.

I have been all around the world, seen and experienced many different cultures, but my wife and I have chosen to settle here as we believe you cannot find a finer place to live than Norfolk.