I’m very interested in food, retailing and healthy eating.
I was brought up in Manchester, but both parents came from Sheffield – so I’ve never properly understood the War of the Roses!
My mother studied domestic science, and became a cookery demonstrator (see here for an article about her written in 1949) and then a domestic science teacher – so it’s not surprising that I’m interested in food.
I studied Agriculture at Reading University, and worked as an agricultural consultant for 17 years. I taught in FE colleges for 19 years and have a site on Improving Learning which has useful tips and sites for teachers and lecturers.
My father was an electrical engineer, but became a teacher – like my sister, so it’s not not surprising that I went into education.
My mother’s father was a butcher, and my dad’s father started as a miner, but became a successful grocer – which no doubt explains my interest in retail. There’s a fascinating account of my grandfather’s shop, written by my father here.
In 1980 I developed type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes. I’ve never been overweight, or a big consumer of sugar, so guess I was just unlucky. However it does concern me how commercial interests are changing our diets. As a result obesity, and type 2 diabetes, are becoming widespread.
I also have pages of links on: