I've been interested in astronomy since around 1980, when the NASA Voyager missions were exploring Jupiter and Saturn, returning some fascinating images.  The sole astronomy book in my primary school library at this time was the Observers Book of Astronomy by Patrick Moore and it was to this that I turned to find out a bit more about the planets.  This soon had me hooked and my interest was further sparked by the BBC Sky at Night and also the Carl Sagan series 'Cosmos'.

My main interests in astronomy have always been the Moon and the other planets of our solar system which form the majority of observations on this site.  Currently I use a Celestron 6" Refractor as my main telescope.

In 1984(at the age of 14!), I was involved in the setting up of the Wellingborough and District Astronomical Society.  Sadly, this group always struggled for membership and folded around three years later.

By 1985, I had also joined the then Kettering and District Astronomical Society (later to become the Northants Amateur Astronomers) and was elected to their committee in 1988.  Over the next 21 years, I held various positions within this organisation including Chair, Secretary and Editor.

IIn 2009, a new opportunity arose to form a new local society in the Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire area, offering to do things slightly differently to other local groups.  This new group, the Nene Valley Astronomical Society, is the one that I am now most actively involved in as their Vice-Chair and Newsletter Editor.

In addition to my local society positions, I have also held posts within some of the national astronomical groups:

1994 - 2000  Society for Popular Astronomy - Renewals Secretary

2009 - 2014  Federation of Astronomical Societies - Chilterns Regional Rep & Convention Organiser.