I am now retired and spend my time maintaining and sailing a gaff-rigged sailing cutter based in Brixham. I am an active member of Brixham Yacht Club and on the committee for South West Gaffers, having served as the president for the last four years.

I was 21 and a firefighter at the time of my Fellowship, having joined the fire service as a volunteer cadet at the age of 15. At 16 I joined as a full-time junior fireman, completing what would now be termed an apprenticeship, and became operational when I turned 18.

My Fellowship was entitled Firefighting in High Rise Buildings in an Area of Dense Population. I was able to arrange a six-month secondment to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. While there I was able to attend a number of significant high-rise building fires and study with the fire engineering and protection branch.

As a result of my Fellowship I contributed to the advancement of the fire service, eventually retiring as the deputy chief of Somerset, having also spent a couple of years seconded to the Home Office.

My Fellowship expanded my self-confidence, and wanting to learn more as a mature student, I completed a BSc (Hons) in Fire Safety Management and an MSc in Training.