Work

I do admire young people who develop a sense of purpose early in life and then have the character, diligence and sheer perseverance to achieve all that they want from a career or work based environment. Me, I left school, not having a clue about what I wanted to do, in fact, not having much of a clue about anything in the big outside world.

Just applied for local jobs for something to do, seemed a better idea than breaking into the local store. I had a spare stamp and thought Post Office I'll try them and so that is where I ended up. Shoving money into a machine which wrapped it into coin rolls, sorting letters into a little slot, cleaning coins after someone had pissed into the telephone box - dead end jobs the lot of em.

The only good thing that came out of it was that for the first time I was exposed to some pretty decent human beings probably for the first time in my life. Good people, proper values, they taught me respect, how to interact and talk to others. So to Frank H, Alan D, Pete M and George G I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me under your wing, letting me learn from you and helping to develop me as a person - you were great role models and teachers. I am truly grateful to have met you all and shared a small part of your lives.

Who would have thought from such humble beginnings many years later I would end up writing for The Times, a published author of technical books retailing at £300 a throw, starting up my own business, employing people... Without that initial support, I doubt I would ever have attained those heights...

For the rest, well my mates never believed me when I said I could do more, I had the last laugh - up you all.